Chris Bradford – AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings
On Friday, February 9th, 2024, the European Commission released the draft regulation on restrictions on bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in food contact materials. This is the highly anticipated draft that reflects the EU Commission’s legislative translation of the EFSA opinion (April 19th, 2023) on the safe threshold of bisphenol A in food contact materials. As this draft currently stands, it effectively bans BPA from being used in the manufacture of food packaging coatings. It is important to note that this is in draft form as it currently stands, and is likely to see some changes, refinements and further clarifications.
The new European legislation is not expected to be enforced before mid-2026, and any legislation is expected to impact 75% of European packaging volumes. Metal can linings, historically reliant on BPA-based epoxy resins, play a crucial role in preserving food quality and securing a steady supply to a nutritious diet. Despite the availability of alternatives, the packaging industry faces challenges in ensuring a smooth transition to these alternatives. The France unilateral ban on BPA for food contact materials in 2015 is a real example that highlights the complexity of such transitions. The transition to BPA-free packaging poses risks and uncertainties, requiring clarity on phasing, deadlines, and scope. A potential talent shortage in specialized expertise, and the lack of clear definitions pose additional challenges.
AkzoNobel believes this is an opportunity for the industry to shape change together in moving to alternative solutions that are free of all bisphenols and other chemical compounds currently under scrutiny. The company’s particular focus has been on acrylic-based technology, which is already widely used in the packaging industry and has a well understood and accepted safety narrative. It avoids any conversation around bisphenols of any kind and is a proven solution in the market. So too polyesters are proven to be safe, reliable and also with a well-defined and well understood safety narrative. 
Removing bisphenols from food contact materials does present challenges from a technical perspective, including finding coatings with comparable performance, especially for hard to hold beverages like high-alcohol beverages. The coatings manufacturer emphasizes supporting its customers through the transition to bisphenol-free alternatives while ensuring the continued safe use of bisphenol products according to regulatory guidance. The phased implementation of regulations necessitates pragmatic decisions to protect all stakeholders in the supply chain.
In conclusion, the move towards a bisphenol-free world in packaging faces challenges in economic impact, technology integration, talent shortage, and regulatory clarity. Industry players, exemplified by AkzoNobel, aim to navigate this transition by emphasizing alternative technologies, safety, and supporting customers through phased implementations. Chris Bradford, Marketing Director Industrial Coatings at AkzoNobel, talks about the challenges of this sector.
What are bisphenols and why do we want to move away from using them?
Bisphenols are a group of chemical compounds characterized by two phenol groups, of which bisphenol A (BPA) is the most well-known. For decades, BPA based epoxy resins have been used to manufacture coatings for the protection of metal can packaging. In recent years, BPA and the class of bisphenols have become a concern for our customers, as regulatory scrutiny became more intense. We are among those in the industry that have developed new solutions free of all bisphenols, including coatings for metal can packaging, and are currently evaluating a switch to alternatives.
How will a bisphenol-free future affect packaging for cans?
The metal can packaging industry will continue to face challenges in 2024 and beyond, following the release of the highly anticipated draft that reflects the EU Commission’s legislative translation of the EFSA opinion (April 19th, 2023) on the safe threshold of bisphenol A in food contact materials. However, we know we can move away from not only BPA but all bisphenols for food and beverage contact materials. Bisphenols – of any kind – are no longer required to create safe coatings for metal can packaging. As regulations tighten in the next year or two, manufacturers will need to make the transition. Canmakers will be working with the
ir trusted coatings partners over the coming months to migrate much faster towards a bisphenol-free world.
What are the challenges for the industry in this transition?
Moving to a BPA-free world, with further restrictions towards a bisphenol-free world to follow, will be a challenge. Adding to this will be the speed and frequency of changes as we adopt and integrate alternative technologies into the commercial mainstream. Preventing the interim adoption of regrettable substances and minimizing the number of technology changes will reduce risk of disruption of the industry and economic impact. There’s also a shortage of experts to support food and beverage can makers through the transition in a way that’s commercially and economically viable. We’ll have to be careful not to create serious issues in the supply chain and or cause negative impacts on consumers.
What is AkzoNobel’s point of view on this?
Regardless of the challenges, it’s our opinion that metal can packaging coating technology has advanced to the point where bisphenols of any kind are no longer required to create safe coatings. Further, our opinion is that we need to ensure that we get this transition right. This means that we have a transition structured to address risks that may disrupt the food industry and which is transparent to ensure the most efficient and effect way of achieving the envisaged impact; a safe, secure and sustainable food supply.
