The Brussels-based European Metal Packaging association says the latest available input from steel manufacturers shows reductions in emissions of up to 21% compared to 2006 results.
The study was conducted by TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, and the final report was peer reviewed by Intertek RDC and is fully compliant with ISO 14040/14044.
"It is part of Empac's commitment to provide fact-based and unambiguous information on our industry and products," says Empac CEO Gordon Shade.
"We are pleased with the progress made by our member companies to date and we are confident that by 2020 we will achieve our initial target to reduce CO2 emissions by 30 percent."
As for the 2006 results, the Empac industry model has used a life cycle assessment approach to track greenhouse gas emissions and other important environmental impacts for the entire production process of the metal can.
This includes the extraction and processing of raw materials, the manufacture of cans, delivery to customers and recycling to complete the material-to-material loop.
Data submissions were taken from companies including Ardagh Group, Blechwarenfabrik Limburg, Colep, Crown Packaging Europe, Glud & Marstrand, Huber Packaging Group, Massilly Group and Silgan Metal Packaging, as well as from APEAL and EAA representing European manufacturers of steel and aluminium respectively.
In all, the participating companies cover between 40% and 70% of the relevant European markets.
Reductions in CO2-equivalent emissions range from 9% to 21% depending upon the different product categories, and are said to be attributable to both "improvements in the raw material process" and "consistently increasing recycling rates combined with the fine tuning of can makers' conversion processes".
Detailed data, as well as the carbon footprint calculator, are available to Empac members through its online Industry Scorecard.
