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frequently asked questions

General

Do you currently offer any career opportunities?
How can I apply for a job?

Please send any job applications to info@helvepa.com. Please do not send anything by letter post and do not hand in anything in person at our premises.

Why does a start-up company produce two-piece aluminium beverage cans?

Aluminium beverage cans satisfy consumer needs for a comfortable, space-saving and light beverage packaging. Aluminium used for production has a high recycling ratio and can be endlessly recycled without any loss in quality.

What does „Helvetia“ mean?

Helvetia derives etymologically from the Celtic mountain tribe of Helvetians. Helvetia is the neo-Latin term for Switzerland (CH abbreviates Confoederatio Helvetica) as well as an allegorical female figure. The figure of Helvetia symbolises typical positive traits of Switzerland and the Swiss, such as precision, thoroughness, prosperity, productivity, efficiency, cohesion, independence and reliability.

Is there any relation to other companies named Helvetia?

No, there is no such relation.

Why did you build your first plant in Saarland?

Saarland was chosen as our first plant location because it is favourably situated to quickly and conveniently deliver cans and ends to many potential customers.

On top of this Saarland can boast a long tradition of metal processing which facilitated a swift build-up of an effective core staff.

Target Market

Which customers are targeted by Helvetia Packaging AG?

As an independent manufacturer Helvetia Packaging AG offers its products to all beverage producers or fillers close enough to our plant in Saarland to allow efficient deliveries. Currently we already supply customers in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Consumers can already enjoy drinks from Helvetia cans in many European and Asian countries.

Do you expect further growth of the German beverage can market?

The expectation that the German beverage can market will continue to grow due to consumers’ preferences did play a role when making the investment decision. We expect recent growth to continue in the future.

Are there any plans for further expansion?

When purchasing land in Saarland and building our first plant we have already created the necessary prerequisites to enable doubling our production capacity (second can line and addition to end line).

If market permits, we will search for future plant locations after fully utilising doubled capacity of our Saarlouis plant. No definite plans have been made yet, in principle we are not committed to certain regions.

Products

Why only standard sizes and no sleek or slim cans?

As a start-up we have focused on most common sizes for our market entry. In case of future expansion we will analyse pros and cons of all relevant formats and then decide upon which formats to produce.

What does the abbreviation BPA-NI mean?

BPA-NI means BPA-non-intent and designates the use of internal lacquers not containing Bisphenol A (BPA).

Why cans and ends only without Bisphenol A (BPA-NI)?

Since 2014 France has been prohibiting the use of Bisphenol A as internal lacquer of beverage cans to protect consumers. We expect more and more EU countries to adopt similar policies over time.

Helvetia Packaging AG has decided based on recent scientific insights not to use epoxy inside lacquers containing Bisphenol A outside of France for mainly two reasons.

On the one hand we would already like to contribute to avoid any unnecessary health hazards for our end users (beverage consumers) even if neither state regulation nor industry self-regulation obliges us to do so yet.

On the other hand we would like to help protect our customers (beverage producers and fillers) as well as retailers against potential consumer claims based on adverse health effects because of Bisphenol A.

When changing back and forth between BPA-NI lacquer and epoxy lacquer containing Bisphenol A in the same plant there is a danger of confusing the two. On top of this it is hard to avoid residuals of Bisphenol A in the production lines which fosters the risk of cross contamination.

BPA-NI ends produced by Helvetia Packaging AG can be combined with BPA-NI as well as with conventionally epoxy lacquered can bodies.

Why cans and ends from the same plant?

More often than not can bodies and ends are produced in separate plants in different locations.

Helvetia Packaging AG has decided to produce both can bodies and ends in the same plant.

We are convinced that production of two-piece beverage cans works best when both cans and ends are made by the same team. Thus the production workers’ understanding of the importance of both components and how they have to interact to ensure a safe beverage packaging can be optimised.

From our customers’ point of view this creates the advantage of being able to receive a matching end for each can from a single source.  Perfect interaction of can and end during the filling process will be enhanced by continuous quality checks at both the can and the end line.

Inquiries

Who will answer technical questions about Helvetia Packaging AG?

Please use our  contact form or send an e-mail to info@helvepa.com.

Who will answer general or commercial questions about Helvetia Packaging AG?

Please use our contact form or send an e-mail to info@helvepa.com.