If you drink from a can, chances are it was washed with Zeta treated water.

That is correct, any time you open a can, whether it is a soda, a beer, or a sports drink, there is a very good possibility that that can in your hand was washed with Zeta treated water before it was painted.

In the Aluminum can manufacturing industry, there are three main can producers: Rexam, Crown Cork and Seal and Ball Corp. Zeta Corporation has been treating the water in the can washers for one of those companies in all of their plants across the US, Latin America and Europe. The Zeta Rod has helped this company increase their run times between scheduled maintenance shutdowns, reduce the time required to clean the washer during the shutdown. It has done this by stopping scale formation on heat exchangers, risers, spray nozzles and biofouling accumulation in the washers. 

After the success with that customer, some of the major companies that sell specialty products for can washers are also selling, or recommending the use of Zeta Rod systems to their customers.

Below is a picture of a can washer in Europe in which a Zeta Rod System has been installed in the different stages of the washer.

So next time you enjoy a cold drink in a can, think that it could be a Zeta can that you are drinking from.

The process of can manufacturing is quite fascinating.

How Cans are Made

1. Cup Forming — The process starts with an aluminum coiled sheet which is fed through a press that punches out shallow cups.
2. Redrawing & Ironing — Cups are fed into an ironing press where successive rings redraw and iron the cup and reduce sidewall thickness to get a full length can. The bottom is domed to obtain strength required to withstand internal pressure.
3. Trimming — Cans are spun as a cutting tool trims the rough shell from the inside.
4. Cleaning — The cans are cleaned and pre-treated for decoration and inside coating.
   1. Pre-clean with water rinse
   2. Clean with commercial cleaner
   3. Cold water rinse
   4. Conditioning
   5. Cold water rinse
   6. Deionized water rinse
   7. Drying
5. Printing & Varnishing — Cans are rolled against a rubber cylinder to print up to four colors simultaneously, then moved to another station where a clear protective overvarnish is applied.
6. Bottom Varnishing — Cans are conveyed past an applicator that applies protective varnish to the bottom.
7. Baking — Cans wind through a conveyor in an oven to dry the printing.
8. Inside Spraying — A specially selected coating is sprayed on the inside of the cans.
9. Baking — Cans are conveyed through a tunnel oven that bakes and cures the inside coating.
10. Necking and Flanging — Cans are necked-in at the top to reduce can diameter and flanged to accept the end.