What’s happening in the market for aluminum containers, and why does it matter for pet food?

The pet food category continues to expand, driven by changing consumer attitudes and rising expectations around product quality and brand transparency. As a result, packaging has become a more important consideration for brands looking to compete in a crowded, fast moving market. Aluminum containers are gaining momentum in this context, with a projected CAGR of 3.4% by 2030 (1). This solution offers a combination of performance and sustainability credentials that align well with current consumer priorities.

For pet food brands, this matters because packaging now needs to do more than simply contain the product. It must deliver strong shelf presence, protect sensitive formulations, and support sustainability goals. Aluminum containers respond to these needs by balancing visual appeal, high barrier protection, and recyclability in a single format.

What are the key benefits of aluminum containers for pet food brands?

Aluminum containers offer a clear set of benefits that include shelf appeal, product protection, recyclability, operational advantages, and ease of use for pet owners.

For brands, PPWR-ready aluminum containers with easy-peel foil lidding offer a lightweight and user-friendly alternative to traditional cans.

How can lightweight aluminum containers help improve shelf appeal and brand impact?

In the pet food aisle, brands are competing for attention in a crowded and visually busy environment. Aluminum containers help create differentiation through premium cues and high quality decoration, enabling brands to stand out at the point of purchase. Amcor’s Smooth Aluminum containers are designed with shelf impact in mind.

Their smooth, wrinkle free surface supports high quality printing and helps brands express their identity clearly and consistently. Combined with long shelf life and retortability, this makes aluminum containers a strong choice for brands looking to elevate their presence without compromising performance.

How do aluminum containers help protect wet pet food?

Protection is a core requirement for pet food packaging, particularly for wet and sensitive formulations. Pets have a much more acute sense of smell and taste than humans so they will instantly notice if something is wrong. This is why aluminum containers - which provide excellent barrier properties against gas, moisture, aroma, and light - help preserve freshness, taste and nutritional integrity throughout the product’s shelf life.

When packaging fails to protect pet food adequately, the consequences can include reduced shelf life, quality issues, and loss of consumer trust. Aluminum’s inherent barrier performance helps mitigate these risks, giving brands greater confidence that their products will reach pet owners in the condition intended.

Why is sustainability a major consideration right now?

Sustainability is a priority for today’s pet food brands, driven by corporate commitments, consumer expectations, and new regulations, including the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). In this environment, packaging choices are under closer scrutiny than ever.

Under the EU's PPWR, aluminum trays will remain a recognized packaging solution, as long as they meet certain requirements. Recyclability is a key part of aluminum’s sustainability story. It supports brands seeking to align with circular economy principles while still delivering high performance.

What operational advantages can aluminum containers offer brands?

From an operational perspective, aluminum containers can support efficiency across the supply chain. Nestable designs offer potential logistics and warehousing benefits, while lightweight structures and direct sealing of the lidding help reduce packaging complexity.

What makes aluminum containers easy to use for consumers?

Convenience is now a baseline expectation for pet owners, with 52% of pet owners saying ease of opening and serving was among the most important features when choosing pet food(2). Aluminum containers with peel-off foil lidding support easy, safe opening with no sharp edges and offer spoonable formats that make feeding simpler and cleaner.

By improving the everyday experience for pet owners, aluminum containers help reinforce perceptions of quality and care, extending the brand promise beyond the shelf and into the home.

What specific Amcor products are available and how does Amcor help brands adopt aluminum containers?

Amcor offers both PPWR-ready standard aluminum containers and premium Smooth Aluminum solutions, giving pet food brands flexibility across formats from 13g to 300g.

Beyond the product range itself, Amcor supports pet food brands with technical expertise and packaging consultation, as well as Field Technical Services support for both new packaging trials and troubleshooting on pet food producers' production lines. This end-to-end partnership helps customers assess the right solution for their portfolio, plan implementation effectively, and move from concept to scale with confidence.

Sources:
(1)Euromonitor, February 2026
(2) Amcor consumer research survey: "Pet food. What are today’s consumers looking for?"