Electrolytic Tinplate T3-T5 & DR8 for Korean Food & Aerosol Packaging – WUXI LAIYUAN Supply
Publié le: June 1, 2026
Project Background
A well-established metal packaging manufacturer in South Korea was seeking to diversify its electrolytic tinplate (ETP) supply chain. As a supplier to major Korean food brands and aerosol product manufacturers, the client required tinplate that met exacting quality standards for high-speed can-making lines operating at 600-800 cans per minute—where even minor variations in temper, gauge, or surface finish can cause costly production disruptions.
After a rigorous qualification process that included mill audits, sample coil testing, and trial production runs, the client selected WUXI LAIYUAN SPECIAL STEEL CO., LTD as an approved ETP supplier. LAIYUAN's competitive pricing relative to domestic Korean and Japanese mills, combined with consistently tight specification control, made it a compelling alternative for the client's volume procurement.
Product Specifications Delivered
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material Grades | T3, T4, T5 (Single Reduced); DR8 (Double Reduced) |
| Thickness | 0.18 – 0.30 mm (SR); 0.17 – 0.25 mm (DR8) |
| Width | 800 – 1,000 mm (precision slit to Korean can-maker specifications) |
| Tin Coating | 2.8/2.8, 2.8/5.6 g/m² (Equal & Differential) |
| Surface Finish | Bright & Stone – for lithographic printing and internal lacquering |
| Passivation | 311 (Sodium Dichromate) – food-contact compliant for Korean FDA-equivalent standards |
| Oiling | DOS – food-grade specification |
| Coil ID / Weight | 420 mm / 5-7 MT |
| Standards | JIS G3303, ASTM A623, EN 10202, KS D 3512 (Korean Standard) |
Supply Chain Performance
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Annual Supply Volume | 600+ MT to Korean can-making facilities |
| Lead Time | 14-18 days to Busan and Incheon ports (short-sea advantage) |
| Quality Pass Rate | 99.7% on client in-house inspection — exceeding the 99.5% contractual threshold |
| Gauge Tolerance | ±0.005 mm — tighter than standard commercial tolerance |
| Client Feedback | "The material quality is comparable to our domestic supply at a significantly better price point. Very satisfied with the consistency." |
Why Korean Can Makers Choose WUXI LAIYUAN
South Korea is one of the world's most demanding metal packaging markets, with can manufacturers operating high-speed automated lines that leave zero margin for material variation. Korean buyers traditionally source from domestic mills (POSCO, Hyundai Steel) or Japanese suppliers—but rising cost pressures have driven interest in qualified Chinese alternatives that can match quality standards.
WUXI LAIYUAN's ETP supply to Korea succeeds because of three factors:
- Proximity Advantage: Shanghai to Busan is a short-sea route of just 1-2 days, enabling rapid replenishment and lower logistics costs compared to long-haul imports from other Asian sources.
- KS Standard Compliance: All tinplate supplied to Korea is tested and certified to KS D 3512 requirements, ensuring seamless integration with the client's existing quality management system.
- Technical Responsiveness: LAIYUAN's technical team provides Korean-language mill test certificates and maintains direct engineering communication for specification optimization requests—a level of service that regional traders cannot match.
Applications Served
- Food Cans (T3-T5): Canned tuna, Spam-style luncheon meat, fruit, and vegetable cans for Korea's mature domestic food processing industry, which exports finished canned products throughout Asia.
- Aerosol Cans (DR8): Personal care products, household insecticides, and industrial lubricant aerosols—a high-growth segment in Korea's chemical and consumer goods sectors.
- Beverage Can Ends (T4-T5): Tinplate for easy-open ends used in Korea's large canned coffee and tea beverage market.
Continued Partnership Growth
Since the initial qualification order, the Korean client has progressively increased its allocation to LAIYUAN, drawn by the combination of quality consistency and cost competitiveness. The short lead time from Chinese ports to Busan has also enabled the client to operate with leaner tinplate inventory, reducing working capital requirements. Both parties are now exploring additional DR9-grade qualification for ultra-lightweight aerosol can applications—a testament to the deepening trust in this cross-border supply partnership.
Contact Information
WUXI LAIYUAN SPECIAL STEEL CO., LTD | Phone: 86-15505283603 | Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
