Packaging steels are thin gauge flat carbon steels coated with tin or chrome on both sides. They are very important raw materials for the production of steel packaging, which allow food to be stored safely and with an extended shelf life. The publication focuses on the production process of ETP and ECCS steel, as well as the problem of corrosion of steel packaging.

The topic of legislative changes that require the elimination of chromium (VI) compounds from the steel passivation process was also discussed. The packaging steel industry is currently facing the need to develop a new passivation technology. Leading packaging steel manufacturers in cooperation with varnish and paint suppliers have developed chromium (VI) free technologies by implementing chromium (III) compounds and titanium oxide technology.

Authors focus also on new trends and potential development directions for the packaging steel industry.

Eutectic copper oxides (Cu2O) crystallize during the copper solidification process in the ETP grade copper which leads to high oxygen concentrations in interdendritic spaces. It has been experimentally found that they can be regular or elongated, and their size reaches several micrometres. During the multi-cage hot rolling process, homogenization of the oxide distribution in the entire volume of the wire rod occurs. This process is carried out in the soft copper matrix. Throughout the drawing process the fragmentation of oxides transpires along with changes in the shape from angular to more oval in a degree depending on the size of the deformation (wire diameter). Microcracks, fissures and local stress fields in the reinforced copper matrix arise around the oxide particles. The article presents the results of research on the evolution of copper oxides in ingots, wire rods and wires. The results of investigations of the wires properties and the limitations of the drawing process, especially of microwires, are presented.