The Aluminium Tube - Old but Gold

When we think of products packaged in tubes, toothpaste, creams, or food items like mayonnaise and mustard probably come to mind first. Coffee, however, does not. Yet aluminium tubes have a multifaceted history and offer numerous advantages that have made them a preferred packaging solution across various industries for over a century. In this blog post, we delve into the background story of the aluminium tube, and explain why we decided to put coffee in it.

The origins of the tube as a packaging form date back to the 19th century. In 1841, American paitner John Goffe Rand developed the first lead tube to keep his oil paints fresh and portable. This innovation allowed painters to use their colors outdoors (benefiting the Impressionists). The first aluminium tube was developed in the late 19th century and quickly found application in the pharmaceutical industry. Washington Wentworth Sheffield, a dentist from the USA, was one of the first to sell his toothpaste in aluminium tubes. This new packaging prevented the paste from drying out and made it more practical and hygienic to use. This is likely why many people first think of toothpaste when they see our product.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, the aluminium tube quickly found application in the food industry. Particularly for products like mustard, mayonnaise, and tomato paste, which are sensitive to oxagen and light, the aluminium tube proved to be the perfect solution. However, we got to the impression that tubes are being totally underrated nowadays. True, she has been on the market for a longer time, and she may be old, but we're convinved that she's still gold.

We will now explore four key points that make aluminium tubes a contemporary and ideal packaging material that emphasize why we chose to package our outdoor coffee in a tube. 

1. Product Protection

Aluminium tubes offer exceptional protection against external influences. Their barrier against oxygen, light, and moisture ensures that the packaged products remain fresh and durable for a long time. This is advantageous in the food industry, as it minimuzes the need for preservatives and reduces food waste. 

2. Sustainability

Aluminium is an extremely sustainable material. It can be recycled almost indefinitely without losing quality. The energy required to recycle aluminium is only abou 5% of the energy needed to produce primary aluminium. This makes aluminium tubes an environmentally friendly packaging alternative that not only conserves resources but also reduces CO2 emissions.

3. Lightness and Versatility

Aluminium tubes are extremely lightweight and offer an optimal weight-to-volume ratio. This feature makes the transport and handling of packaged products easier. Additionally, aluminium tubes allow for precise dosing of the contents and can be almost completely emptied, minimizing waste and maximizing utility. 

4. Modern Design

In addition to their functional benefits, aluminium tubes also contribute to brand building. We appreciate that it gives the product a more elegant and premium appearance. This aligns with the choice of coffee we selected for our product. From the start it has been our priority to use high-quality coffee that proves to be more flavorful than other instant alternatives.

Over the decades, aluminium tubes have proven themselves as a reliable and versatile packaging solution. Their history shows how a simple packaging concept has become an indispensable solution in various industries. Today, in times of growing sustainability demands, the aluminium tube offers a future-proof alternative for numerous products – and we believe including coffee.

What do you think? Does coffee belong in a tube?

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https://www.alltub.com/de/umwelt/die-vorzuege-von-aluminium/

https://igora.ch/de/medien/medienanlass-die-alutube/facts/

https://www.goldstueck.com/schoenheit/2021/01/29/vorteile-von-cremetuben-aus-aluminium/

https://www.leparfait.ch/blog/nachhaltige-verpackung-dank-aluminium-tube

https://gustav-obermeyer.com/glossar/alu-tuben/

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tube_(Beh%C3%A4lter)

https://www.srf.ch/sendungen/kassensturz-espresso/services/espresso-aha/espresso-aha-warum-es-zahnpasta-nur-noch-in-plastiktuben-gibt