Aluminium Foil

The first aluminium foil rolling plant, was opened in Emmishofen, Switzerland, in 1886. It was here that Dr. Lauber and J. G. Neher and his sons discovered the rolling process and the use of aluminium foil as a protective barrier in 1907. Experiments continued and aluminium began to replace tin from around 1910 onwards.

In 1911, the Bern-based Tobler Company began wrapping its chocolate bars in aluminium foil, including the triangular chocolate bar, Toblerone. By 1912 aluminium foil was being used by Maggi to pack soups. Oxo have used it for their cubes since the 1950s.

Aluminium is used for packaging as it is highly malleable: it can be easily converted to thin sheets and folded, rolled or packed. Aluminium foil acts as a total barrier to light and oxygen (which cause fats to oxidise or become rancid), odours and flavours, moistness, and germs, and so it is used broadly in food and pharmaceutical packaging, including long-life packs (aseptic packaging) for drinks and dairy goods, which allows storing without refrigeration.