PET Cans vs Aluminium Cans: Which Is Right for Your Drink Brand?
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PET cans vs aluminium cans - one of the first real decisions a drink brand makes. Both work — but for very different stages and budgets. Here's a straight comparison for South African producers.
PET cans
A Clear PET can is transparent, so customers see exactly what they're buying — great for juices, cold brew, kombucha and layered drinks. The big advantage for small and growing brands is flexibility: buy them in small quantities (a box of 200), seal them yourself on a can seamer, and change flavours or branding without committing to a huge run.
- Clarity — full product visibility
- Low minimums — start with a box, not a pallet
- Seal on-site — no production line needed
- Recyclable — Go green
Aluminium cans
Aluminium is light-proof, premium, and infinitely recyclable. It's the format you see from large beverage brands — for good reason at scale. The downside for newcomers is the barrier to entry: aluminium cans are usually bought pre-printed in pallet quantities (thousands of units) and are most efficient filled on an automated line. That's a serious commitment of cash and space before you've validated your product.
- Light protection — better for light-sensitive drinks
- Premium feel
- High minimums — pre-printed, in bulk
- Best with a filling line
Side by side
| PET cans | Aluminium cans | |
|---|---|---|
| Product visibility | Clear | Opaque |
| Minimum order | Low (box of 200) | High (pallets) |
| Seal yourself? | Yes, with a seamer | Needs a line for efficiency |
| Light protection | Lower | High |
| Best for | Small & growing brands | High-volume producers |
Which should you choose?
If you're starting out or producing modest volumes, PET cans let you launch affordably, look professional and stay flexible. Once you're moving serious volume and want light protection, aluminium becomes worth the minimums and the line. Many South African brands start on PET and only move to aluminium much later — if at all.
See our PET cans (330ml and 500ml, lids included) and the can sealing machine that seals them. Not sure which machine you need? Read can seamer vs filling machine.
