Electrolytic Tinplate (EPT) Sheets and Coils Manufacturer for Food Packaging

Electrolytic tinplate (EPT) is thin cold-rolled steel coated with a layer of tin through an electroplating process, making it the world's most widely used material for food and beverage packaging. Tianjin Sino East Steel Group manufactures electrolytic tinplate in MR grade, supplying can manufacturers, packaging companies and distributors across the Middle East and North Africa with food-grade certification and complete documentation.

What Is Electrolytic Tinplate?

Tinplate consists of a base of low-carbon steel (typically 0.15-0.5 mm thick) coated with pure tin on both sides. The tin layer provides corrosion resistance and a non-toxic surface that is safe for direct food contact, while the steel base provides strength and formability. Tinplate is produced as sheets, coils and scrolls, in bright (B) or stone (S) finishes, and is used to manufacture food cans, beverage cans, aerosol cans, closures and general packaging.

The key quality parameters of tinplate are the tin coating weight (measured in g/m², such as 2.8/2.8), the steel temper (T1-T5, indicating hardness), the passivation treatment and the oil film. For food applications, compliance with food-contact regulations - including FDA and EU regulations - is mandatory, and the material must be traceable from the mill to the can.

Standards and Specifications

Our tinplate complies with JIS G3303:2015, EN 10202:2006, ASTM A623 and GB/T 2520. Popular products in this category include:

  • Electrolytic Tinplate (EPT) MR Grade - MR-grade low-phosphorus steel for food cans
  • Electrolytic Tinplate for Food Industry - food-grade tinplate with FDA-compliant coating
  • Tinplate Sheets for Food Packaging - cut sheets for can making
  • Tinplate Coil (Electrolytic Tin Coated) - coils for high-speed can-making lines
  • Flat Tinplate - standard flat sheets for general packaging
  • Electrolytic Tinplate MR 2.8/2.8 - the most common coating weight for food cans
  • Tinplate - complete range of thicknesses, tempers and finishes

Available specifications:

  • Thickness: 0.15 mm - 0.50 mm
  • Tin coating: 2.8/2.8, 5.6/5.6, 11.2/5.6 g/m² (equal and differential)
  • Temper: T1 - T5 (soft to hard)
  • Finish: bright (B), stone (S), or stone-silver (SS)
  • Width: 600 mm - 1050 mm (coils); 700-1200 mm (sheets)
  • Grades: MR (low phosphorus), L (low metalloid), D (aluminium killed)

Applications Across the Middle East

  • Food cans: canned vegetables, fruits, fish and meat products
  • Beverage cans: soft drink and juice cans
  • Closures: bottle caps, crowns and closures for packaging
  • Aerosol cans: spray cans for household and industrial products
  • Oil and lubricants: cans for edible oil and industrial lubricants
  • Dry goods: biscuit, tea and confectionery containers

Why Buy Tinplate from Sino East Steel?

Sino East Steel is a direct supplier of electrolytic tinplate with 18+ years of export experience. We source MR-grade base steel from certified mills and process tinplate with strict control of coating weight, temper and surface quality. Every shipment includes an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate, and food-grade orders include the required food-contact compliance declarations.

We understand that can manufacturers require consistent quality - variations in coating weight or temper can stop a production line. Our quality system is ISO 9001 certified, and we support buyers with technical data, sample approval and regular supply programs.

Shipping and Delivery

Tinplate sheets are packed in wooden crates with moisture protection; coils are wrapped with VCI film and steel-strapped. We ship to Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port, Dammam, Jeddah, Hamad Port and other MENA ports, with production lead time of 15 to 25 days plus sea freight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 2.8/2.8 tin coating weight mean?

2.8/2.8 means 2.8 g/m² of tin on each side of the sheet. This is the most common coating for food cans. Differential coatings such as 11.2/5.6 provide higher protection on the food-contact side.

Is your tinplate suitable for direct food contact?

Yes. Our food-grade tinplate complies with FDA and EU food-contact regulations, and documentation is provided with each food-grade shipment.

What is MR grade tinplate?

MR is a low-phosphorus steel grade used for standard tinplate applications, offering good formability and corrosion resistance for food cans. It is the most widely used grade in the packaging industry.

Can you supply tinplate in custom sizes?

Yes. We supply tinplate sheets and coils in standard and custom sizes, cut to your can-making requirements.

What documents are provided with tinplate shipments?

Each shipment includes an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate, food-contact compliance declaration (for food grade), packing list, invoice and certificate of origin.

Request an Electrolytic Tinplate Quotation

Send your required thickness, coating weight, temper, size and quantity. Our team will reply with a factory-direct quotation within 24 hours.

Product Range and Available Sizes

Electrolytic tinplate is available for food and general packaging:

  • MR-grade tinplate from 0.15 mm to 0.50 mm thickness
  • Tin coatings from 2.8/2.8 to 11.2/5.6 g/m2, equal and differential
  • Tempers T1 to T5 in bright and stone finishes
  • Sheets, coils and scrolls with food-contact compliance documentation

Quality Control and Testing

All products are manufactured and tested under our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system. Our in-house laboratory performs chemical analysis, tensile testing, bend testing and dimensional inspection on every production batch, and each shipment is accompanied by an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate (MTC). For project-critical orders, we can arrange third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, TUV or Intertek at the buyer's request, with inspection reports included in the shipping document set.

Traceability is maintained from the original heat number to the finished product, which is essential for project approvals, quality audits and long-term warranty claims in the Gulf region. We encourage new buyers to request samples and test reports before placing bulk orders.

How to Place an Order with Sino East Steel

  1. Send your inquiry: specify the product, grade, standard, size, quantity and destination port through the contact form or WhatsApp.
  2. Receive a quotation: our export team replies within 24 hours with current factory pricing and a confirmed delivery schedule.
  3. Confirm the order: standard terms are 30% T/T deposit with 70% balance before shipment, or an irrevocable L/C at sight. Production is scheduled after the deposit is received.
  4. Production and inspection: manufacturing takes 15 to 25 days depending on the product and quantity. Photos, videos and third-party inspection can be arranged during production.
  5. Shipment: we arrange sea freight to your nominated Gulf port and provide the complete document set - commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, MTC, certificate of origin and insurance certificate.

Minimum order quantities are typically 10 to 20 metric tons for standard sizes, with mixed-size container loading available for distributors. We are happy to discuss MOQ flexibility for new customers and trial orders, and we accept payments via T/T, L/C, Western Union and other agreed methods.

Why the Middle East Chooses Sino East Steel

Sino East Steel Group operates from a 65,000 m² production base in Daqiuzhuang Industrial Park, Jinghai, Tianjin - one of China's largest steel manufacturing clusters. With more than 18 years of export experience, 500,000 metric tons of annual capacity and regular customers in over 50 countries, we combine manufacturing scale with deep market knowledge of the GCC construction and energy sectors.

Our export team provides English-language technical support, and we maintain regular shipping schedules to all major Gulf ports including Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port, Dammam, Jubail, Jeddah, Hamad Port, Shuwaikh and Sohar. As a direct factory, we offer the most competitive pricing without intermediary margins, and our after-sales team responds to technical and documentation queries quickly.

Buyers are welcome to visit our factory in Tianjin or request a virtual factory tour. We regularly exhibit at Middle East industry events and welcome long-term cooperation with distributors, contractors and engineering companies.

Do you offer technical support after purchase?

Yes. Our engineers provide specification guidance, installation advice and document support for the lifetime of the order. We also welcome feedback that helps us improve product quality and service.

Packaging, Payment Terms and Delivery

Every order is packed in seaworthy export packaging designed for long sea voyages to the Gulf: products are wrapped with waterproof or VCI-treated film, protected with edge guards and fixed on pallets, skids or in wooden crates, with fumigation certificates provided where required. The packaging standard can be adjusted for your handling equipment - for example, open-top containers for pipe bundles or flat-rack containers for long profiles.

Standard payment terms are 30% T/T deposit with 70% balance paid against a copy of the bill of lading, or an irrevocable L/C at sight for larger project orders. We can also accept other agreed payment methods for established customers. Typical minimum order quantities range from 10 to 20 metric tons depending on the product, and mixed-size or mixed-product container loading is welcome for distributor orders.

Our export department issues complete English documentation with every shipment: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate, certificate of origin and insurance certificate. This documentation set is prepared to meet the customs and authority requirements of each GCC country, saving you time at the port of destination.

What Incoterms can you provide?

We quote FOB Tianjin, CFR and CIF to any Gulf port, and DDP door-to-door for container shipments. Our logistics team can recommend the most cost-effective shipping option for your quantity and destination.

Can we receive samples before placing a bulk order?

Yes. Small samples can be shipped by express courier (DHL, FedEx or UPS) for your evaluation, with the sample cost refunded against your first order.

Do you offer regular supply contracts for distributors?

Yes. We welcome annual supply agreements with fixed pricing and delivery schedules, and we prioritize production slots for contract customers during peak seasons.