Aluminium foil is made by passing coiled aluminium sheet repeatedly between steel rollers, which are set progressively closer together. Each pass squeezes the foil a little thinner. It takes 10 to 12 passes to make the thinnest foils. Foil only one-hundredth of a millimetre thick is still completely impermeable.

Aluminium foil's essential properties are:

• heat conductivity
• strength and durability
• hygiene
• impermeability
• ability to deadfold
• it stays wrapped around food items without needing further sealing
• flexibility
• non-toxicity and corrosion resistance

Because of its unique combination of properties it is used in a variety of different applications with its largest use being in containers and packaging for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.

For more information about foil and its many uses visit the European Aluminium Foil Association website

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