VulCan Packaging is the sole manufacturer of Aluminum Toyo Ultimate Cans (aTULC) in North America, equipping beverage brands to achieve the perfect balance of performance and sustainability in their packaging. Combining advanced technology with deep industry expertise, it delivers premium quality cans with faster production and tailored design options.
Traditional aluminum can manufacturers use a spray-on liner to protect the beverage, but this coating often fails when exposed to aggressive ingredients. Inconsistent layers can result in the coating leaching into the liquid and compromising stability. aTULC replaces the spray-on method with a laminated film applied through a dry-forming process. The film creates a strong, uniform barrier that keeps beverages safe, fresh and true to their intended taste. Whether it is an electrolyte-heavy hydration drink, an acidic juice or a dairy-based formula, the can preserves quality.
“We rely on independent testing, and the results confirm that even the most complex hard-to-hold beverages show no interaction with our can liner, proving its stability and integrity,” says Dana Abernathy, technical director and co-founder.
VulCan is already serving categories from still and sparkling water to probiotic sodas, ready-to-drink spirits with higher alcohol content and electrolyte beverages. Brands gain the freedom to innovate, the confidence of stability and the advantage of being presented in formats consumers prefer.
Where Technology Meets Proven Know-How
VulCan Packaging has established full-scale operations and is already producing millions of cans. Because aTULC production is inherently more sustainable, it faces fewer regulatory hurdles and the long delays that typically slow down manufacturers.
“What usually takes years in this industry, we accomplished in just months,” says Alvin Widitora, managing director and co-founder. “That speaks to both the strength of the technology and the determination of our team.”
Speed alone does not define the story. VulCan brings something equally valuable: experience. The leadership team composed of Alvin Widitora, Dana Abernathy, and Scott Fore has more than seven decades of experience in beverage packaging, experience that gives them an edge in solving real-world challenges. They know what works, what doesn’t, and how to turn innovation into market-ready packaging.
We rely on independent testing, and the results confirm that even the most complex hard-to-hold beverages show no interaction with our can liner, proving their stability and integrity
This level of expertise is a source of assurance for brand owners and beverage producers. When traditional packaging falls short, VulCan Packaging is ready with solutions.
A Greener Approach to Beverage Packaging
VulCan Packaging’s cans are designed to handle some of the toughest challenges in beverage packaging.
A clear example can be seen in the hydration category, one of the fastest-growing beverage segments. These products contain high doses of electrolytes such as sodium, magnesium and potassium. Traditional aluminum cans struggle here because their spray-on liners corrode, letting the liquid come into contact with the aluminum. This introduces metallic off-flavors and destabilizes the drink, compromising taste and overall brand integrity.
These limits have forced many hydration brands to rely on glass or PET plastic. Attempts to switch to cans often failed because conventional manufacturers could not guarantee performance.
North American beverage brands now have the opportunity to harness VulCan’s aTULC technology: infinitely recyclable and environmentally friendly aluminum cans.
“Unlike traditional canmaking, we do not use water or solvents during production,” says Scott Fore, commercial director and co-founder.
The result is a process that consumes about half the energy, produces only a third of the volatile organic compounds, and eliminates 250,000 gallons of daily water use. Few packaging technologies can claim such a sustainable footprint.
Hands-On Support for Beverage Brands
Customer engagement often begins in one of two ways. Some brand owners come in with a precise grasp of their formulations and their inherent challenges. With consumer demand driving a clear preference for aluminum over alternatives, these clients seek out VulCan early to ensure their products can be safely and sustainably packaged from the start.
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What usually takes years in this industry, we accomplished in just months. That speaks to both the strength of the technology and the determination of our team
Others arrive after struggling with conventional cans. When shelf stability issues arise and products fail in the market, VulCan can rescue a promising beverage by delivering the performance that traditional packaging cannot.
In both cases, success starts with understanding the formulation, anticipating consumer expectations and building a market-ready and reliable packaging solution.
Growth is the next focus, with a planned expansion of its capacity over the next 18 to 24 months to meet rising demand. It is scaling operations in Austin, Texas by increasing production volume and introducing new formats, including the popular 12-ounce sleek can. It is exploring additional manufacturing sites in strategically chosen locations to serve customers more efficiently.
More than a canmaker, VulCan is a trusted brand partner, helping to bring even the most challenging products to market. Whether the goal is superior performance, greater sustainability, faster speed to market or higher volumes, beverage companies continue to turn to VulCan Packaging.
