0.28mm DR8 Electrolytic Tinplate for Infant Formula Cans – WUXI LAIYUAN Serving SE Asia & Middle East
نشرت في: June 1, 2026
Project Background
A major metal packaging manufacturer headquartered in Southeast Asia, with expanding operations serving the Middle East market, sought a reliable supplier of high-hardness electrolytic tinplate (ETP) for producing infant formula milk powder cans. The application demanded exceptional material consistency, strict food-safety compliance, and a partner capable of supporting both trial runs and high-volume production with short lead times.
After evaluating multiple Asian steel suppliers, the client selected WUXI LAIYUAN SPECIAL STEEL CO., LTD as its strategic ETP coil supplier. The partnership has since grown to cover regular shipments to can-making facilities in Vietnam, Thailand, and the UAE.
Product Specification: 0.28mm DR8 Electrolytic Tinplate Coil
The client required a Double Reduced (DR8) tinplate grade—a work-hardened material produced through secondary cold-rolling after annealing, delivering significantly higher strength and hardness compared to single-reduced tempers. This is critical for infant formula cans, which must withstand high-speed can-body forming, double-seaming, and internal pressure during retort sterilization.
Technical Specifications Delivered
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material Grade | DR8 (Double Reduced, 550-580 MPa tensile) |
| Thickness | 0.28 mm (±0.01 mm tolerance) |
| Width | Custom slit to can-maker specification (typically 800-950 mm) |
| Tin Coating | 2.8/2.8 g/m² (Equal Coating) – optimized for lacquering adhesion |
| Surface Finish | Stone Finish – superior lacquer adhesion for food-grade internal coating |
| Passivation | 311 (Sodium Dichromate) – food-contact compliant |
| Oiling | DOS (Dioctyl Sebacate) – food-grade oiling |
| Coil ID | 420 mm |
| Coil Weight | 5-7 MT per coil |
| Hardness (HR30T) | 73 ±1 |
| Standards | JIS G3303, ASTM A623, EN 10202, ISO 11949 |
Why DR8 for Infant Formula Cans?
Infant formula packaging presents one of the most demanding applications in metal packaging:
- Thinner Gauge, Higher Strength: The 0.28mm DR8 grade allows can manufacturers to reduce material weight and cost while maintaining structural integrity—critical for high-speed welding and flanging operations.
- Flatness & Uniformity: DR8's double-reduction process delivers superior flatness and gauge uniformity across the coil width, minimizing scrap rates during body blank cutting.
- Food Safety First: Infant formula is one of the most heavily regulated food categories globally. The tinplate surface chemistry must be fully compliant with EU, FDA, and GCC food-contact material regulations.
- Seal Integrity: The material must support reliable double-seaming to create hermetic seals that protect the powder from oxygen and moisture ingress throughout the product's shelf life.
Supply Chain Performance – Southeast Asia & Middle East
| Metric | Performance |
|---|---|
| Annual Supply Volume | 1,200+ MT to Southeast Asia and Middle East markets |
| Lead Time | 25-30 days from order confirmation to FOB Shanghai/Ningbo |
| On-Time Delivery Rate | 98%+ over the partnership period |
| Quality Pass Rate | 99.6% on third-party inspection (SGS / Bureau Veritas) |
| Claims Rate | Below 0.4% – attributed to edge damage only |
| Shipment Frequency | 2-3 containers per month, split between SEA and Middle East ports |
Client Feedback
The packaging manufacturer has reported significant operational improvements since standardizing on WUXI LAIYUAN's 0.28mm DR8 tinplate:
- Reduced Scrap Rate: Consistent gauge and flatness reduced body blank rejection from 2.1% to under 0.7%—a direct material cost saving.
- Welding Consistency: Uniform surface properties and clean edges from precision slitting have improved weld seam integrity during high-speed can-body welding at 600+ cans per minute.
- Lacquer Compatibility: The stone finish surface provides excellent adhesion for the gold epoxy-phenolic internal lacquer system required for infant formula protection.
- Logistics Reliability: LAIYUAN's export documentation accuracy and container loading optimization have reduced port clearance delays at destination.
Market Relevance
The infant formula market in Southeast Asia and the Middle East continues to grow at 5-8% CAGR, driven by rising birth rates in the Middle East, increasing disposable income in ASEAN countries, and growing demand for premium packaged infant nutrition. Metal packaging remains the dominant format for powdered infant formula due to its superior barrier properties and established recycling infrastructure.
Why WUXI LAIYUAN Won This Partnership
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| DR-Specific Expertise | Deep knowledge of DR-grade tinplate procurement and quality control, including mill audit capability and third-party testing coordination. |
| Sample-to-Production Continuity | Provided 3 MT trial coils from the same mill source as volume production, ensuring no specification drift between qualification and commercial runs. |
| Multi-Market Documentation | Experienced in preparing country-specific Certificates of Origin, food-grade compliance documentation, and customs classification for both ASEAN and GCC regimes. |
| Commercial Flexibility | Offered competitive FOB and CIF terms with LC at sight payment, plus mixed-container shipment capability when the client launched new can diameters. |
Contact Information
For inquiries about DR-grade electrolytic tinplate for food and beverage packaging applications:
- Company: WUXI LAIYUAN SPECIAL STEEL CO., LTD
- Phone: 86-15505283603 (Working Hours)
- Location: Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
