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Metal Can & Container Manufacturing in the US Industry Data and Analysis
The Metal Can and Container Manufacturing industry has experienced substantial revenue volatility driven by dramatic fluctuations in aluminum and steel commodity prices over the past five years. Post-pandemic supply chain disruptions, including port closures, labor shortages and lockdowns, created severe material shortages. This propelled aluminum and steel prices to record highs in 2021 and 2022. However, as global supply chains normalized and economies stabilized through 2023 and 2024, aluminum and steel prices retreated from their peaks. This limited profit as manufacturers adjusted to the new pricing environment. Despite these commodity headwinds, sustained demand from the beverage manufacturing sector maintained baseline support for metal can production, particularly among soft drink and beer producers serving growing populations with increasing per capita consumption. Profit improved from 11.9% of revenue in 2021 to 12.5% in 2026 as manufacturers implemented automation technologies. Optimized production processes and leveraged recycling initiatives also offset volatile raw material costs while enhancing operational efficiency. Metal can manufacturing revenue climbed at a 3.1% CAGR through the end of 2026, rising 1.4% to an estimated $29.9 billion. Changing consumer preferences toward premium wines and spirits placed downward pressure on traditional metal can demand. Still, emerging market segments, including cannabis-infused beverages and CBD drinks, surged in popularity. These functional beverages required specialized metal containers to customize designs that would preserve product quality, meet regulatory standards and protect light-sensitive compounds from degradation. Niche markets also prompted manufacturers to invest heavily in advanced coating technologies, light-weighting innovations and precision manufacturing capabilities. These developments helped metal cans remain competitive with alternative packaging solutions such as plastic bottles and glass containers. Tariffs on imported aluminum and steel significantly impacted cost structures and temporarily limited profit. This forced manufacturers to either absorb higher input costs or pass on price increases to downstream customers under their own profit pressures. Advancements in energy-efficient production methods will fuel growth over the next five years. The adoption of AI and smart labeling technologies is likely to enhance supply chain visibility and consumer engagement. Recycling programs and circular-economy initiatives also position manufacturers to reach environmental goals. At the same time, recycling lowers volatility by reducing reliance on aluminum and steel. Persistent tariff pressures and raw material price fluctuations are still likely to pose challenges. Strategic investments in automation, renewable energy adoption and innovative packaging formats will likely support modest expansion. Profit is expected to stabilize at approximately 12.4% by 2031. Metal can manufacturing revenue will climb at a 0.9% CAGR through the end of 2031, reaching an estimated $31.2 billion.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released January 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States operates under the NAICS industry code 33243. This industry primarily manufactures light metal cans made of aluminum or steel used as beverage and food containers. Metal can and container manufacturers also produce steel shipping barrels, drums, pails and other fabricated steel boxes, which account for a small share of revenue. This industry doesn't manufacture foil or heavy-metal containers. Related terms covered in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States include three-piece can, two-piece can, end and pail.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States include Aluminum cans , Steel and tin cans and Other metal containers.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States include Ball Corp, Crown Holdings, Inc. and ILC Dover LP.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed product and service segmentation, analysis of major markets and international trade data for the for the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States is $29.9bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States in 2026?
There are 277 businesses in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States are Ball Corp, Crown Holdings, Inc. and ILC Dover LP
What does the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States include?
Aluminum can manufacturing and Steel and tin can manufacturing are part of the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States is Ball Corp.
How competitive is the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Metal Can & Container Manufacturing industry in the United States.
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