About SEFA

The Voice of Europe's Steel Drum Industry Since 1953

Welcome to SEFA, the European Association of Steel Drum Manufacturers. For more than 70 years, SEFA has brought together the leading steel drum manufacturers across Europe to promote safety, sustainability, technical excellence, and responsible industrial packaging. Today, our industry plays a vital role in supporting supply chains that serve essential sectors including chemicals, food production, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and dangerous goods transport. As environmental responsibility and circular economy principles continue to shape the future of packaging, steel drums offer unique advantages through their durability, reusability, and recyclability. SEFA is committed to ensuring that these benefits are recognised by policymakers, industry stakeholders, and customers throughout Europe.

SEFA’s core tasks include – among others – representing the interests of the steel drum industry, developing technical recommendations, supporting work on UN and dangerous-goods packaging requirements, and engaging in PPWR-related policy discussions.

Our association serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and industry representation. By working together, we can address regulatory challenges, share technical expertise, and strengthen the position of steel packaging within a rapidly evolving marketplace. We invite you to explore our work, learn more about our members, and discover how SEFA contributes to a safer, more sustainable future for industrial packaging. Sándor Orbán / Chairman of SEFA

SEFA

Origin of the Name

The Association bears its original name in French:
SYNDICAT EUROPEEN DE L'INDUSTRIE DES FÛTS EN ACIER, SEFA for short.
The English and German translations are as follows:
EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF STEEL DRUM MANUFACTURERS.
VERBAND DER EUROPÄISCHEN STAHLFASSINDUSTRIE.

The Scope of SEFA

SEFA is the leading European association representing manufacturers of steel drums and steel kegs. As the collective voice of the industry, SEFA promotes the interests of its members and supports the development of safe, sustainable, and high-quality industrial packaging solutions across Europe. The association serves as a platform for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and industry representation, working closely with policymakers, regulatory authorities, customers, and other stakeholders to address key challenges and opportunities affecting the sector. SEFA's scope covers steel drums and kegs with capacities ranging from 10 to 250 litres, including products with internal or external coatings and plastic inner liners. Through advocacy, technical expertise, and industry collaboration, SEFA helps ensure that steel packaging remains a trusted solution for industrial and hazardous goods applications.

Industry Representation

We act as a strong voice for the European steel drum industry.

Regulatory Monitoring

We monitor European and international regulatory developments relevant to steel drums and industrial packaging.

Technical Expertise

We provide technical expertise on steel drum manufacturing, performance, testing, coatings, and dangerous goods requirements.

Sustainability Support

We support members on sustainability, circular economy, reuse, reconditioning, and recycling topics.

Industry Network

We connect members with industry partners, institutions, and stakeholders across Europe and beyond.

Knowledge Sharing

We facilitate workshops, working groups, technical discussions, and industry collaboration.

Our Board

Sandor Orban

Alexander Johansson

Axel Schäfer

Emir Izmiroglu

José da Fonseca Coelho

Marco Krätz

Stephan Schmitz

Our Team

Jörg Höppner

Torben Knöß

Karen Rasch

Our Network

SEFA works closely with European institutions, international organisations, and industry associations to support the future of sustainable industrial packaging.