What is an MCA Screw Cap?

Jun. 12, 2025

An MCA screw cap—also called an MCA closure—is a type of tamper‑evident screw cap, commonly used for carbonated beverages, oils, vinegars, sauces, and wine bottles.

MCA Screw Cap

What "MCA" Means

MCA = Metal Closure Aluminium

Refers to metal (usually aluminum alloy) screw caps, with an inner sealing layer (commonly made of polyethylene (PE), EVOH, PVDC, or tin) to ensure airtightness. In the glass and beverage industries, these caps are a reliable, cost-effective, and safer alternative to traditional cork stoppers.

MCA (Metal Closure Aluminium) screw caps are specialized sealing devices primarily used to seal glass or plastic bottles in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. MCA screw caps are generally equipped with safety liners and tamper-evident rings, making them ideal for preserving freshness, ensuring safety, and maintaining brand integrity—especially suitable for carbonated beverages, wines, oils, sauces, and other packaged liquids.

MCA screw caps, also commonly referred to as ROPP (Roll-On Pilfer-Proof) caps, are screw caps specifically designed for bottled products (particularly in the beverage industry). MCA stands for Metal Closure Aluminium. These caps are typically made of aluminum and feature tamper-evident bands that break upon opening. They are commonly used for carbonated beverages and other drinks requiring secure sealing. MCA screw caps are a reliable and convenient alternative to traditional cork stoppers.

MCA Screw Cap Information Table

Feature	Description
Material	Aluminum alloy body + sealing liner
Tamper-evident	Break-ring or circlip ensures visible tampering
Seal quality	Airtight, leak-proof, pressure-resistant
Sizes	Commonly 28 mm for drinks; various other neck sizes
Colour/Finish	Multi-colour, printed, luxury finishes
Typical uses	Wine, carbonated drinks, sauces, oils, vinegars

MCA Screw Cap Material and Structure

Aluminum Alloy: Corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and recyclable. Compliant with EU food safety standards and certain FDA regulations.
Inner Seal: Lined with polyethylene (PE), PVDC, or tin foil to ensure sealing.

MCA Screw Cap Tamper-Evident Features

MCA caps are carefully designed to make any tampering clearly visible.

They typically include a breakable ring or spring-lock band that engages upon the first opening, clearly indicating whether the product has been previously opened.

Tamper-Evident Mechanism

The safety ring (spring-lock band) breaks or detaches upon first opening, providing visible evidence of tampering.

MCA Screw Cap Typical Specifications

Size: Common diameters include 28 mm, etc.
Compatibility: Designed according to specific bottleneck standards (e.g., MCA 28 fits 28 mm necks).
Material: Sturdy, corrosion-resistant aluminum body with sealing liner. Meets EU and FDA standards and complies with food safety regulations.
Colors and Finishes: Available in a variety of colors—red, green, blue, gold, black, white, transparent—and even luxury aluminum caps.

MCA Screw Cap Working Principle

Manual Screwing: Cap is screwed onto a matching bottle neck.
Seal Formation: The liner compresses against the bottle mouth to form an airtight and liquid-tight seal.
First Opening: Tamper-evident ring breaks, indicating the product has been opened.
Resealable: After first opening, the cap can be screwed back on to reseal.

MCA Screw Cap Applications and Advantages

Carbonated Beverages: Effectively withstands internal pressure, especially with suitable sealing liners.
Wine and Spirits: Alternative to corks—avoids cork taint, easier to open/close, ideal for situations involving low air pressure such as flights.
Food Products: Suitable for pasteurization and leak-proof sealing—ideal for sauces, oils, vinegars, etc.
Branding: Customizable in color or printed finish—excellent for shelf presentation.

Application Field	Typical Products	Functional Description	Common Specifications (Diameter × Height)	Material Type
Carbonated Beverages	Soda water, mineral water, beer	Provides airtight sealing, retains carbonation, prevents leakage.	28×15 mm, 28×18 mm	Aluminum / Aluminum-plastic composite
Wine and Oils	Wine, olive oil, vegetable oil	Serves as a cork alternative, prevents contamination, allows resealing.	28×15 mm, 30×60 mm	Aluminum
Sauces and Condiments	Vinegar, syrup, soy sauce	Features tamper-evident ring design, leaves evidence when opened, enhances food safety.	28×15 mm	Aluminum / Aluminum-plastic composite

MCA Screw Cap Models

Circlip styles:

6-SE: Splits into 6 segments after opening—ideal for reusable bottles .
RS style: Ring stays on the bottle after opening—ideal for single-use designs.
Luxury editions: Aluminum tops with elegant finishes and liners, enabling upscale packaging solutions .
Built-in pourers: Some models include integrated pour spouts—great for oils and vinegars .

Model Name	Structural Features	Applicable Bottle Type	Functional Description
6-SE	Tamper-evident ring fully detaches from the cap body upon opening	Refillable bottles	Suitable for returnable bottles, allowing thorough cleaning; enhances tamper evidence and consumer safety.
6-RS	Tamper-evident ring depresses upon opening but remains attached, does not break off	Single-use bottles	Lower cost, convenient for one-time use; clear tamper-evident markings meet single-use packaging requirements.
Roll-on Type	No traditional liner, uses a paper seal ring instead of a sealing gasket	Non-carbonated bottled products	Suitable for sauces, oils, and other non-pressurized products; simplified structure, lower cost, economical and practical.