AkzoNobel shares key webinar insights

AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings brought together leading voices from across the metal packaging industry with an exclusive webinar exploring how brand owners, can makers and coatings suppliers are building more compliant, resilient and competitive supply chains as they navigate Europe’s fast-changing regulatory landscape.

The webinar, hosted by Tessa Slagter, sustainable innovation manager at AkzoNobel Industrial Coatings, featured insights from experts in public affairs, consumer brands, and packaging coatings.

Attendees heard from Hans van Bochove, head of EU affairs at The Heineken Company, who provided a brand-owner’s perspective. He shared how the leading beverage company is preparing for the upcoming regulatory changes under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and how these are influencing packaging strategies. He outlined how The Heineken Company is responding to consumer expectations for sustainability while balancing cost-efficiency and brand differentiation.

The session also covered a detailed briefing on upcoming regulations in the European Union from Diane Watson, director at Rud Pedersen Public Affairs. She emphasised the importance of a forward-looking approach to anticipate these changes to ensure portfolios remain future-proof. She highlighted several key policy areas to watch, including reforms to the EU’s chemical regulatory framework, the Circular Economy Act, and updates to food contact materials legislation.

Representing AkzoNobel, Chris Bradford, market director, coil & packaging coatings, AkzoNobel Industrial Coatings, talked about how, after a 50-year period of stability, the regulatory landscape is evolving and is accelerating towards a patchwork of legislation due to the rising autonomy of different regulatory geographies. He stressed that despite these differences the overall global trajectory is common – increased focus on bisphenols. Therefore, future-proofed coatings innovations are crucial for manufacturers to ensure proactive compliance that minimises risks and costs associated with frequent conversions. By anticipating regulations and adapting ahead of time with robust and future-proofed technologies, companies can avoid making regrettable substitutions and being ill-prepared.

Chris Bradford said: “The session underscored the need for closer collaboration between regulators, brand owners, manufacturers, and coatings suppliers. The complexity and speed of regulatory change means that no part of the value chain can afford to work in isolation. Our goal with this webinar was to foster dialogue, share insight, and help prepare the industry for the future – Shaping Change Together.”

AkzoNobel’s webinar reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting packaging customers and brand owners through expertise, industry-wide cooperation and innovation. A recording of the event is available on AkzoNobel’s website here.