Recently, GDD Steel completed an export order of approximately 550 tons of tinplate can ends and lids. The products were shipped from China to Port Klang, Malaysia, mainly supplying a local food packaging company for the expansion of its can packaging production line. The customer plans to increase production equipment and raw material purchasing capacity to expand its food can production, creating a need for a stable, high-volume supply of tinplate can ends and lids.

The order mainly includes tinplate bottoms and lids for round food cans. The products are made from electrolytic tinplate (ETP), with some easy-open ends using a thickness of approximately 0.18 mm. Different specifications and hardness grades were selected according to the can types. Some products use common specifications such as 214#, along with tinplate bottoms in different sizes to match the customer’s existing can-making production lines.

Before confirming the order, the GDD Steel team communicated several times with the customer’s purchasing and production teams. The customer provided the dimensions and production requirements of its existing can types, and GDD Steel used this information to confirm the material thickness, lid and bottom dimensions, hardness, and relevant tolerances. These parameters can all affect subsequent stamping, curling, and seaming processes. If the specifications do not match properly, the customer may need to adjust its equipment after receiving the products, which could even affect normal production. Therefore, this order was not based simply on the required tonnage. The can types and production equipment were confirmed first, followed by the specific material and product specifications, helping reduce potential issues during later use.

At 550 tons, this is a relatively large-volume tinplate order. In addition to price, the customer also places strong emphasis on consistency between different production batches. Food can production typically requires continuous operation, and noticeable differences in material thickness, dimensions, or forming performance could affect production efficiency.

During production, GDD Steel managed the products according to different specifications and batches and conducted sampling inspections, focusing on material thickness, product dimensions, surface condition, and packaging. After production, the tinplate bottoms and lids were sorted and stacked by specification and secured with pallets, stretch film, and packing straps. As the products would be transported by sea from China to Malaysia, packaging was also an important part of the order. If the can ends and lids are not properly secured during transportation, vibration, friction, or moisture could affect the products. Before loading, GDD Steel staff checked pallet stability and packaging condition and labeled products according to specification, making it easier for the customer to count and store the goods after arrival.

After production, inspection, and packaging were completed, the 550-ton shipment was loaded according to the export schedule and transported by sea to Port Klang, Malaysia. After receiving the goods, the customer will arrange storage according to different specifications and then put the products into its can packaging production line according to its production schedule.

For overseas food packaging companies, tinplate can bottoms and lids are relatively standardized products, but there are still many details to confirm during actual procurement. For example, lid diameter, material thickness, hardness, dimensional tolerances, surface condition, and packaging method all need to match the customer’s production equipment. For food can manufacturers in particular, once a production line is running, a stable supply of raw materials becomes increasingly important.

When working with overseas customers, GDD Steel confirms products according to their actual applications rather than simply providing a product price. Customers can provide existing product samples, dimensions, drawings, or purchasing specifications, and the GDD Steel team can use this information to confirm suitable tinplate materials and product specifications.

In addition to tinplate can bottoms and lids, GDD Steel also supplies tinplate sheets and coils for overseas customers. For food cans, beverage cans, tea cans, coffee cans, and other metal packaging products, product specifications can be matched according to the customer’s can design and production requirements. This 550-ton shipment of tinplate can bottoms and lids to Malaysia represents another high-volume supply project for GDD Steel in the Southeast Asian food packaging market. For local food can manufacturers, metal packaging companies, and packaging material importers, stable product quality and consistent supply are often more important than the price of a single purchase.

For the procurement of tinplate can bottoms and lids, product dimensions, thickness, quantity, and final application are among the main details that need to be confirmed at an early stage. GDD Steel matches product specifications according to the customer’s specific can types and production requirements, and arranges subsequent production, packaging, and export transportation based on the order.