Consumers are not only turning away from plastic and glass, with aluminium emerging as the package of choice - lighter, infinitely recyclable, and better for the planet. At the same time, two powerful shifts are fuelling the surge: the health-and-wellness boom and the explosion of craft beer and ready-to-drink brands.

On the wellness front, consumers are reaching for low-calorie seltzers which have seen a huge surge, functional drinks with added benefits, and premium juices - products that fit perfectly in slim, sleek cans that travel easily and stay fresh. Reports highlight that Australian drinkers in particular are leaning into functional and “better for you” beverages, from adaptogens and probiotics to low- and no-alcohol formats Perfectly Paired.

The explosion of craft beer, RTD cocktails, and non-alcoholic “adult” beverages is creating high demand for versatile, branded, and visually striking can formats. RTD seltzers alone are expected to grow by about 24% in Australia this year, driven by consumer demand for flavorful, better-for-you options. Drinks digest.

Meanwhile, craft brewers and RTD innovators are pushing boundaries with bold flavours, limited runs, and standout designs. Analysts note that these categories are driving some of the strongest growth in the Australian beverage market, with premiumisation and packaging innovation central to standing out LinkedIn: Australia Beverage Market Outlook.

Together, these trends are changing our beverage shelves. For brands, it means keeping pace with fast-moving tastes and the growing expectation that drinks come packaged sustainably. For manufacturers like Recorp, it’s about enabling that change - giving beverage creators across New Zealand and Australia the ability to innovate quickly, reduce risk with low MOQs and get their ideas into cans, and into consumers’ hands quickly with world class equipment and rapid charge outs.