Product specifications
Standard specifications below. Custom dimensions, alloy grades, and coating options available on request.
Available finish colors
What is a 202 SOT aluminum can end?
Technical context for buyers evaluating can lid suppliers
The 202 SOT can end is the global standard closure for slim and standard aluminum beverage cans. "202" refers to the seaming curl diameter of approximately 52.3 mm — the most widely used size for beer, energy drink, juice, and RTD coffee formats in 250ml, 330ml, and 355ml can bodies. "SOT" stands for Stay-On-Tab: the pull-tab remains attached to the lid after opening, eliminating loose litter and improving recyclability compliance in markets with extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations.
The lid is manufactured from a high-strength aluminum alloy sheet, coated with an interior enamel layer to prevent corrosion and flavor interaction with the beverage, then die-pressed into shape. The pull-ring is formed from the same sheet and attached via a rivet — no separate component is loose after opening.
ZhenXi manufactures 202 SOT ends in-house using automated pressing lines, with each unit passing through five independent inspection stages before shipment. This vertical integration — can body, can end, and filling line support all under one roof — reduces lead times and quality risk compared to buying components from separate suppliers.
Why do global beverage brands use 202 SOT ends?
The 202 SOT end is the most widely used beverage can end in the world for carbonated soft drinks, beer, energy drinks, sparkling water, juice, and RTD tea. Compared with resealable peel-tab (RPT) lids, SOT ends reduce manufacturing cost, improve high-speed filling efficiency, and provide better everyday consumer convenience. They remain the global standard for carbonated beverages because they combine excellent sealing, consumer convenience, high filling speed, and low manufacturing cost.
Compatible beverage categories
Key features and benefits
Why beverage brands and co-packers choose the ZhenXi 202 SOT end
Infinitely recyclable
Aluminum is a permanent material — it can be recycled indefinitely with no loss of structural quality. The 202 SOT end is 100% compatible with standard aluminum recycling streams, helping brands meet sustainability reporting targets and circular economy commitments.
Barrier protection
The formed lid, combined with a double-seam closure on the can body, creates a hermetic seal that blocks oxygen and UV light — the two main drivers of flavor degradation and shelf-life reduction. Interior enamel coating prevents metal-to-beverage contact and corrosion.
Near-100% printable surface
The flat panel area of the 202 SOT end accepts custom printing across nearly the entire surface. Brands use this space for secondary branding, QR codes, batch codes, promotional copy, or Braille compliance markings. Custom color anodizing (black, golden, blue) available.
Lightweight construction
Aluminum alloy construction reduces per-unit weight versus steel ends, lowering material cost, freight cost per pallet, and the carbon footprint of long-distance ocean shipment. Thinner gauge options are available for high-volume orders where weight savings compound at scale.
Universal seamer compatibility
The 202 curl diameter is the most widely supported specification for double-seam can-closing equipment globally. ZhenXi ends are compatible with all major seamer brands. Our technical team can confirm compatibility with your specific machinery before sampling.
SOT — market-required in key regions
Stay-On-Tab (SOT) design is now the regulatory or de-facto standard in the EU (mandated from 2024 under the Single-Use Plastics Directive), the UK, and increasingly in GCC and Southeast Asian markets. Specifying SOT future-proofs your packaging against forthcoming regulations.
Can body compatibility
The 202 SOT end pairs with all standard slim and standard aluminum can body formats
| Can body format | Volume | Typical application | 202 SOT compatible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slim can (202 neck) | 250 ml slim | Energy drinks, RTD coffee, NAB | â 202 SOT |
| Stubby can (202 neck) | 250 ml stubby | Soft drinks, mixers | â 202 SOT |
| Standard can (202 neck) | 330 ml | Beer, juice, soda | â 202 SOT |
| Standard can (202 neck) | 355 ml | Beer (North America format) | â 202 SOT |
| Standard can (202 neck) | 375 ml | Soft drinks, beer (AU/Asia) | â 202 SOT |
| Tall/sleek can (202 neck) | 473 ml | Craft beer, premium soda | â 202 SOT |
| Tall can (202 neck) | 500 ml | Beer, energy drinks | â 202 SOT |
| King can (202 neck) | 1000 ml | Large-format beer, beverages | â 202 SOT |
| 204 / 206 neck cans | Various | Legacy standard format | Requires 204/206 end — contact us |
202 SOT manufacturing process
From aluminum coil to packed pallet — our end-to-end production flow
Aluminum coil
Food-grade aluminum alloy coil is inspected and fed into the line.
Shell press
The coil is stamped into shell blanks at the curl diameter.
Conversion press
Scoring, riveting, and tab forming create the finished SOT end.
Compound lining
Sealing compound is applied to the curl for a hermetic double seam.
Curing
Compound and coatings are cured to full performance.
Vision inspection
100% machine-vision scan checks geometry and print.
Leak test
Seamed samples are pressure-tested for seal integrity.
Packing
Sleeved column stacks palletized for export.
Applications
The 202 SOT easy open end is used across all major beverage categories
Beer & craft beer
The dominant closure for canned beer worldwide. Excellent oxygen barrier protects flavor and extends shelf life for lagers, ales, and craft styles.
Energy drinks
Standard on 250ml slim cans. High pressure resistance suits highly carbonated, high-throughput energy drink filling lines.
Soft drinks & soda
The global standard for carbonated soft drinks, combining secure sealing with low cost at very high filling speeds.
Sparkling water
Reliable pressure containment for sparkling and flavored waters, with a clean, recyclable, litter-free easy open design.
Coffee & RTD coffee
Food-grade interior coating prevents flavor interaction, keeping ready-to-drink coffee fresh through distribution.
Tea & juice
Ideal for RTD tea, fruit juice, and functional beverages where shelf stability and a tamper-evident seal matter.
202 SOT vs RPT can ends
How the standard Stay-On-Tab end compares to resealable peel-tab ends
| Factor | 202 SOT | RPT |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing cost | Lower cost | Higher cost |
| Filling speed | Faster filling | Slightly slower |
| Best for | Beverage standard | Specialty products |
| Sealing | Excellent sealing | Resealable |
| Consumer convenience | Tab stays attached | Reclosable opening |
For carbonated soft drinks, beer, energy drinks, and sparkling water, 202 SOT is the recommended choice. RPT is best reserved for specialty products where resealability adds genuine value.
How to choose a 202 SOT supplier
Six factors experienced beverage procurement teams evaluate before placing an order
MOQ
Confirm minimum order quantity per SKU and whether trial quantities are available. Our standard MOQ is 100,000 units, with trial volumes possible for first orders.
Lead time
Ask for realistic production and transit times. We produce within 21 working days after deposit and artwork approval.
Compatibility
Verify the curl diameter matches your seamer and can body. The 202 standard fits all major slim and standard formats — share your seamer model for confirmation.
Pressure resistance
For carbonated products, confirm the end is rated above your fill pressure. Our 202 SOT withstands > 620 kPa (90 psi).
Export experience
Check whether the supplier regularly ships to your region with correct documentation. We export to 18+ countries with full export paperwork.
Certification
Request food-contact compliance, BPA-NI documentation, and batch QC reports. We supply documentation to support your food-safety requirements.
In-house quality control process
Every production run passes five independent inspection stages before shipment
Dimensional metrology
Non-contact video microscope measurement verifies curl diameter, panel depth, and tab rivet placement to ±0.01 mm tolerance on sampled units from each press run.
Leak testing
Pressurised air-decay leak test on seamed sample units confirms hermetic seal integrity. Rejects any end with curl deformation that would fail a double-seam closure.
Light testing
Backlighting inspection detects micro-pinholes or lamination voids in the aluminum sheet that would compromise barrier properties. Units with any detected defect are rejected at the batch level.
Camera inspection
Automated machine-vision system scans 100% of output for surface defects, print registration accuracy, and tab alignment before palletizing.
Enamel integrity testing
Electrical resistance testing (enamel rater) confirms interior coating coverage and adhesion. Ensures no bare metal exposure that would contact the beverage. Results recorded per batch in the shipment QC report.
| QC test | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Leak test | 100% of sampled seamed units |
| Vision inspection | 100% of output |
| Enamel rating | Every batch |
| Compound adhesion test | Every batch |
| Opening force test | Every batch |
A production QC report documenting all test results is issued with every shipment. Third-party inspection can be arranged for orders above 500,000 units.
How to order
From first inquiry to goods at your warehouse — a typical 202 SOT order timeline
Submit inquiry (Day 1)
Send your specifications — volume, color, print requirements, destination port, and timeline — via our contact form or WhatsApp. We respond with pricing and product confirmation within 12 hours.
Request free samples (Days 2–6)
Receive complimentary sample cans (express freight at buyer's cost) to verify dimensional fit with your seamer and assess print quality before committing to a bulk order.
Confirm order & artwork (Days 7–10)
Sign the proforma invoice and submit artwork files. We run a pre-press check (color accuracy, bleed, barcode readability) and return a digital proof for approval before production begins.
Production & QC (Days 10–21)
Full production run with in-line QC at all five stages. On completion, a batch QC report and pre-shipment photos are sent for your records before loading.
Shipment & documentation
Goods palletized on fumigated solid wood pallets (L1.15m × W1.1m) for ocean shipment. Full documentation supplied: commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, and Certificate of Origin. By sea, air, express, or rail — we recommend the most cost-effective option for your volume and destination.
Payment terms and shipping
Standard terms for B2B orders. Flexible arrangements available for established accounts.
Payment terms
- T/T (bank transfer) — standard
- 50% deposit to begin production
- 50% balance before shipment
- L/C available for orders above $50,000
- Western Union accepted for small orders
Shipping options
- Sea freight (FCL/LCL) — most bulk orders
- Air freight — urgent smaller volumes
- Express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS) — samples
- Rail (China–Europe) — available on request
- Incoterms: FOB, CIF, DDP as required
Packing details
- Plywood or fumigated solid wood pallets
- Pallet size: L1.15m × W1.1m
- Inner packaging: sleeved column stacks
- Pallet labels with batch and QC data
Sampling
- Samples provided free of charge
- Express freight costs on buyer's account
- Samples dispatch within 3–5 business days
- Custom-print samples available on request
Frequently asked questions
Questions from beverage brands, co-packers, and importers evaluating 202 SOT can end suppliers
Can I request free samples before placing a bulk order?
How quickly can I receive a price quotation?
What is the production and delivery lead time?
What is the MOQ, and is it negotiable for trial orders?
Are your 202 SOT ends compatible with my seaming equipment?
What quality control checks does each batch go through?
Can I apply a custom logo or design to the can end?
What is a SOT (Stay-On-Tab) end?
What is the difference between SOT and RPT ends?
Are your 202 SOT ends food grade and BPA-NI?
What is the opening force and pressure resistance?
Do you offer OEM customization?
Related aluminum can components
Complete your packaging line with complementary ZhenXi products
250ml Slim Aluminum Can Body
Standard 202-neck slim can body. Compatible with ZhenXi 202 SOT ends — order both for a complete matched set with consistent quality control.
330ml Standard Aluminum Can Body
The most widely used beer and beverage format globally. Available with matching 202 SOT ends for streamlined procurement from a single supplier.
Non-Alcoholic Beer OEM (250ml)
ZhenXi also manufactures filled and sealed alcohol-free beverages. Combine can body, can end, and filling services in one order for maximum efficiency.
Ready to source 202 SOT can ends?
Request free samples, get a quote within 12 hours, or send your specification for a technical review. Our B2B sales team is available via email and WhatsApp.
Contact our team →WhatsApp: +86-133-1066-8557 · Response within 12 hours
