Dig this all-aluminum reclosable can design called the SipNShut

Reclosable cans are not new, but aside from a few major energy drinks, you don’t see them often on store shelves. Austin-based SNSTech aims to change that in a big way with a new design that would make reclosable cans far more palatable to consumers, brands and fillers alike. With 20 years of experience commercializing beverage can innovations, Bill Brandell, president of SNSTech, is all too familiar with the technical and commercial challenges associated with reclosable cans. He believes SipNShut offers a complete solution.

“We did our homework and know without a doubt that consumers want reclosable cans, but the options on the market today are not attractive to fillers, brands or consumers,” said Brandell. “They mix plastic and metal, don’t work well on existing canning lines and are awkward for consumers to open. We focused on fixing all of those issues with SipNShut.”

While cans have become increasing popular in the beer industry over the last several years, brewers have not kept pace with how and where consumers drink their beverages. Research conducted by SNSTech among 339 randomly selected U.S. adults confirmed that 60 percent of adults age 18+ want resealable cans, with 70 percent adults ages 18 to 29 indicating a preference for a reclosable option.

Company executives spoke extensively to brands, co-packers, fillers and consumers and created a design that addresses four primary issues preventing widespread adoption of reclosable cans.

1. SipNShut is designed to run on existing canning lines at high speed, allowing fillers to maintain throughput without capex.
2. It’s 100 percent aluminum — not a mixture of plastic and aluminum — so it’s fully recyclable and sustainable.
3. It’s easy for consumers to open and close. No awkward twisting or strange snaps.
4. It pours as smoothly as a standard beverage can and better than other reclosable options.

Chris Schorre, CMO of SipNShut noted: “Consumers really like aluminum cans, but they’re easily spilled once opened. SipNShut lets consumers take previously opened beverage cans with them on the go the same way they would a plastic bottle. Given the growing consumer pushback against plastic, SipNShut also offers beverage brands a more sustainable packaging alternative to plastic bottles.”

The innovative design not only keeps drinks where they belong (inside the can), but it also keeps things out. Schorre adds that a lot of people, for example, want a solution that keeps sand or bees out of their drinks at the beach, while picnicking or anywhere outdoors. However, that’s simply not practical with open glass bottles or traditional non-reclosable cans.