Speaking to Packaging News about the new statistics, Alupro executive director Rick Hindley said: “Consumers like cans and we are optimistic from a recycling point of view. Consumers are getting the message that these cans are recyclable and are continuing to increase the amount they recycle.”

He also said that the strong demand for new cans will feed back into recycling system.

The European beverage can makers said that the soft drinks category showed marked growth across Europe, with figures up 7.5% year on year, with 26.4bn cans shipped. Beer market growth was 3.2% or a total of 27.7bn cans shipped.

Main regional drivers for soft drinks growth were Austria, UK, Scandinavia, Germany, Turkey and CIS, whilst Scandinavia, France, Germany pushed beer market growth. New filling lines in France and Scandinavia also contributed to the strong growth figures, whilst the energy drinks market continues to expand rapidly across Europe.

Domestic consumption drove growth in Germany, with consumption growing by around 300m cans, a 46% increase on 2009. This has, in no small part, been driven by the re-listing of cans in two major supermarket chains, highlighting widespread consumer acceptance of the beverage can.

BCME Marketing Committee Chairman Caroline Archer said: “2010 was a difficult year for many with decreased consumer spending and heightened economic tension. However, the beverage can market was one of the success stories.

“Major brands continue to push the can as a key part of their pack mix and the use of slim and sleek cans has increased markedly. As predicted, the World Cup had a strong positive influence on beverage can consumption, particularly for beer cans as they are convenient for consumers when socialising at home with friends.

“Cans are uniquely sustainable, being made from metals that are permanent materials so they are 100% recyclable and the metal can be recycled indefinitely to create new products. 

“Through infrastructure improvements and initiatives to improve consumer recycling behaviour, BCME is committed to supporting further increases in recycling rates throughout Europe.”