Protecting inside and out
PPG’s portfolio for easy open end includes its Innovel Pro, Innovel Evo and Isense speciality coatings. Image: PPG
Viktoria Tager, PPG’s new global segment manager for easy open ends, discusses the company’s innovation in internal and external coatings, in relation to sustainable practice and regulation
Viktoria Tager. Image: PPG
Could you start by explaining the importance of easy open ends in the metal packaging industry?
Easy open ends are a structural part of metal beverage cans, which makes their durability and performance extremely important. People often assume that cans are produced in one piece. However, like in many industrial processes, the parts of a can are painted in different locations and assembled afterwards.
Moreover, unlike the can body which is typically spray-coated, the can end is painted in a roll coat application, then formed in a high-speed stamping process, which puts tremendous stress and
pressure on the metal. This requires a differentiated coating technology that will perform well during the forming process.
Once the can body and the easy open end are brought together, the combination creates a strong and sustainable package that not only looks visually appealing but also ensures the beverage will last on the shelf.
Which PPG coatings are used for easy open ends and why?
Easy open ends require a coating technology that balances flexibility with hardness. The hardness of the coating ensures it properly protects against damage and provides a sufficient barrier against the contents of the beverage can. Flexibility is required for the unique forming process that creates the shape of the end. Getting the right balance is challenging and requires specialised products.
PPG has a large portfolio of easy open end coatings that provide the ideal balance of flexibility and hardness for both the external and internal sides of the ends. Specifically, we offer non-bisphenol, solvent-based Innovel Pro and non-bisphenol, water-based Innovel Evo coatings for internal end applications. Our Isense speciality coatings are used for the external protection of ends. All these products are popular, sustainable and meet the stringent requirements of coil line applicators and end makers.
How do PPG coatings contribute to the functionality of easy open ends?
PPG has been an innovator in this area for many decades to ensure optimum performance for the coil coater, the can maker, the brand owner and the consumer. In addition to our products’ balance of flexibility and hardness, we are continually working to increase productivity through film weight reduction and provide the right lubrication properties to keep lines running longer, faster and more efficiently.
Our solutions are proven on a wide variety of commercial coating and end making lines and approved by major global brands. Overall, we offer high-performing, future-proof options for brands that need to streamline supply chains and reduce risks to business continuity.
In terms of sustainability, how do easy open ends coated by PPG compare to other can closures?
PPG decided decades ago to eliminate bisphenol-A and its derivatives from all newly developed packaging coatings, including for easy open ends, using the PPG SafeAssure process. This is in line with PPG’s corporate priority to develop coatings that reduce materials of concern – including all bisphenols, PFAS and vinyls – to ensure consumer safety.
In view of evolving regulation, how does PPG ensure the safety and compliance of its coatings, especially in direct contact with food and drink products?
PPG follows a robust product development process adhering to global food regulation mandates and guidance. We conduct in-house testing to ensure beverage can contents are protected by our easy open end coatings, maintain their high quality and do not change during their shelf life. We also work with third-party labs on further test data for our can customers and beverage brands.
In a variety of ways, we lead the industry in reducing materials of concern with consumer safety and sustainability in mind.
Can you share any success stories where the implementation of easy open ends with PPG coatings resulted in notable improvements for manufacturers or consumers?
One area where PPG has innovated in an impactful way is by making our PPG Innovel Pro PPG2489 series coatings no-post-lubrication capable. With these products, manufacturers don’t have to apply lubrication during the stamping process, which saves time and materials. It also means that global manufacturers can specify one coating for all regions as opposed to different ones for each. This is important considering that manufacturing practices and conditions such as line speeds, temperatures, substrates, etc. may differ from one another. Overall, our product allows PPG’s customers to specify fewer products and simplify supply chains, which offers additional sustainable advantages.
What advancements or future developments can we expect to see in the realm of easy open ends for cans, particularly regarding PPG coating technologies?
With the fast-changing regulatory landscape, PPG is laser focused on continuing our approach of enhancing consumer safety and expanding our portfolio with sustainable coatings that have reduced materials of concern. Monitoring industry trends and directions in new beverage products is key to adapting new coatings that provide long-term protection. For example, when the industry makes changes to substrates – such as recycled aluminium and lighter weight aluminium – we can ensure that our robust and versatile easy open ends coatings are still a solution for our customers.
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