Metal can packaging has traditionally used bisphenol-A-based ( (BPA) ) epoxy resins in critical coating applications where corrosion and chemical resistance requirements are paramount. In April 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its opinion on the threshold of BPA in food contact materials. The EFSA opinion is that BPA levels higher than the new TDI are a health concern for all age groups of the general population. In the next year or two, the new safety limits set by the EFSA may be enacted as EU legislation and phase out or ban the use of BPA, and potentially other bisphenols altogether.
The questionable future of BPA and bisphenols in food contact materials (FCM) has driven the development of new coating technologies. With these new technologies in mind, AkzoNobel believes that metal can packaging has advanced to the point where bisphenols of any kind are no longer required to create safe coatings, and we are working with the industry to shape change together. As a result, our packaging coatings business has focused on bisphenol-free coatings, to support food and beverage metal packaging manufacturers.
Our bisphenol-free coatings have met government regulations and have successfully been through extensive critical-to-quality testing with can makers to ensure that they are able to withstand the harsh processing needs of the food and beverage industry.
An example of success is the May 2023 launch of AccelshieldTM 700 – the first BPx-NI (free of intentionally added bisphenols) internal coating for beverage can ends that complies with U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EU regulations. The new coating can be seamlessly introduced into existing production processes, allowing can manufacturers to transition to coatings that are free from certain important materials of concern, while remaining commercially viable.
Following on this success is the launch of our next generation packaging coatings technology used in our new AccelstyleTM range. Accelstyle™️ 100 is our waterborne gloss overprint varnish (OPV), and Accelstyle™️200 is our waterborne matte OPV. These OPVs have the ability to withstand the harsh processing needs of the beverage industry, and provide brands with the shelf presence required to stand out in a competitive market.
Designed for the exterior of conventional two-piece aluminum beverage cans, both are free from bisphenols, styrene, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
AkzoNobel is also investing €32 million in a new plant at our Vilafranca site in Spain, which will produce bisphenol-free coatings for the metal packaging industry in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). The facility will use advanced automation designed according to high eco-efficiency standards, enabling the company to make a step-change in energy and material efficiency. It is expected to be operational by mid-2025 and will create around 40 new jobs. The Vilafranca plant will allow us to offer leading-edge products to any customer and country in EMEA, responding to the most stringent bisphenol regulations in Europe. The carbon footprint of the products for can interiors that we will manufacture in the new facility will be 26% lower than our earlier offerings, which were epoxy- based. Additionally, it is essential to point out that bisphenol-free metal packaging is not just circular; it also meets our consumer expectations for more sustainable packaging.
Learn more by visiting the AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings website, where you can also download our white paper on the transition to a bisphenol-free world.
*The BPx-NI designation indicates that bisphenol or bisphenol compounds were not intentionally added to, or used, in the manufacture of the product.
