More than 80% of global mainstream soft drink companies use 500ml can size (diameter 66mm±0.5mm, height 122mm±1mm) that is ISO 30004-1 specification-compatible. Let’s take Coca-Cola as an example. Its worldwide uniform can standards perfectly match global standards. Statistical information released by 2023 shows that in Europe, it uses Ball Corporation-manufactured aluminum cans with diameter tolerance of ±0.2mm only. Yearly production is 24 billion cans, with a level of filling line compatibility at 99.8%. With normal design, logistics stacking density is increased by 10% (132 cans per pallet), transportation cost has decreased by 6.5%, and carbon emissions have decreased by 8%.
AB InBev utilizes 500ml can sizes to the maximum in the North American market. Its 122mm tank height also differs by a mere 0.1% from that of the CMI (Can Manufacturers Institute) specification. At its St. Louis facility in 2024, its St. Louis facility achieved a sealing rate of 2,000 cans per minute with the Sidel EvoFILL machine, the rolling pressure of which is 620kPa (above the 550kPa industry standard), and its annual loss rate decreased from 0.5% to 0.08%. According to the financial report, its one-line production has saved 1.2 million US dollars in aluminum material annually and reduced energy consumption by 3.2% through the standardized can type.
Red Bull uses the light-type 500ml can size (can wall 0.24mm) on the Asian continent, and its compressive strength is still 230N (higher than the ISO 210N standard). Its Thai factory launched Ball’s Infinity Can technology in 2023. The tank’s weight was reduced by 8% without altering the diameter to 66.2mm. Savings of aluminium material equated to 1,500 tons per annum. Also, with stacking standardized (11×12 tanks per layer), the container usage ratio increased by 12%, and the transport cost per container decreased by 7%.
Japanese Kirin beer fully adheres to the JIS Z 1607-2022 standard for domestic market sales. Its 500ml can size has a diameter of 65.8mm and a height of 122.5mm, and the level of compatibility with the ISO standard is 94%. In 2024, its Osaka plant installed a customized filling line by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The tank positioning accuracy was ±0.3mm, the filling deviation was ±0.8ml, the model changeover time was shortened from 3 hours to 40 minutes, and the annual capacity was increased by 15%. Statistics show that standardized can sizes have reduced the failure rate in their packaging lines by 60% and reduced maintenance costs by 18%.
Recently launched brands such as Monster Energy have achieved global supply chain integration in 500ml can sizes. Its European packaging line uses the KHS Innoprint SML labelling system. The length of the label is 210mm (the height of the adapter can is 122mm±1mm), the labeling speed is 80,000 cans/hour, and the mislabeling rate is less than 0.02%. Based on the 2023 financial report, the standardized tank type has brought it a 9% increase in its shelf space occupancy, an 11% reduction in distribution cost, and 2.3 million US dollars in carbon emissions trading savings.
In regional cases, Heineken’s green factory in the Netherlands occupied a 500ml can dimensions lightweight design (diameter 66mm, height 121.5mm), and achieved a four-fold storage density increase using the Dematic AutoStore system. The robot’s picking capacity is 1,500 boxes per hour. 2024 figures show that normal size tanks have reduced its cold chain transport expenses by 9%, and with the tank’s strength being up to specification (axial load 220N), breakage has decreased from 0.3% to 0.05%.
In the Latin American market, the Carlsberg Brazil plant standardized through 500ml can size, increasing the filling line speed from 1,600 cans per minute to 2,200 cans per minute. Meanwhile, the 66.1mm tank diameter deviated only by 0.15% from the CMI specification. In 2023, due to adaptability optimization, it reduced equipment downtime by 1,200 hours per year, regained 180 million US dollars of production capacity loss directly, achieved ISO 14064 carbon footprint certification, and increased the aluminum material recovery rate to 76%.
Industry data show that firms adopting 500ml can sizes saw an average increase in global market share of 5.2% in 2023, while non-standard can manufacturers caused a 23% cost overrun due to production line compatibility. Standardization not only streamlines the supply chain but also serves as a strategic fulcrum for the carbon reduction and efficiency revolution in the beverage industry.