Sponsored: Preparing for a Sustainable Future in Metal Packaging

2025 marks a pivotal year for beverage and food can manufacturers as the industry braces for significant regulatory shifts. In Europe, this is the final full year before the phased ban of coatings containing Bisphenol A (BPA) and the phase out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Recognising the scale of change, AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings is committed to continued collaboration with our customers, and the can making industry, to embrace the necessary changes facing them.

A concerted effort

The European Commission has confirmed an effective ban on BPA in all food and drink contact materials, including metal cans. Manufacturers must phase out BPA in internal coatings by 20 July 2026, and by 20 January 2028 for external coatings and for packaging used for specific exempted foods, such as seasonally harvested fruits and vegetables, and fish products.

Across Europe, the transition is already underway. BPA non-intent (BPAni) coatings are in use, and the testing of new bisphenol-free coatings is in full swing. The switch involves every part of the supply chain – from brands, canmakers and coating suppliers – working together to test, plan, and ensure that new coatings integrate seamlessly with existing production lines, and require minimal equipment changes.

Given the effort required to switch new coatings, manufacturers must tread carefully to avoid regrettable substitutions – replacing BPA with materials that are later classified as a material of concern. AkzoNobel’s latest generation coatings are designed to go beyond the imminent regulatory changes and anticipate future concerns, including the likely scrutiny of materials like styrene.

Innovation in coatings

Food and beverage brands, together with the canmakers, are rigorously testing our new generation coatings for performance, to ensure compatibility with various food and beverage types, shelf-life stability, taste neutrality, and corrosion resistance.

Our new Bisphenol-free (BPXni) internal coatings are proving to be more chemically resistant, with superior corrosion prevention than previous coatings, and they have improved levels of flexibility and sensory experience to meet the diverse needs of metal packaging.

Accelshield™ 300 internal spray coating, for example, is emerging as a top-performing solution for even the most demanding beverages, with testing pointing to superior flavour performance. It forms part of a range of coatings for the entire beverage can, including the Accelshield™ 700 internal can end coating, and the Accelstyle™ 100 and Accelstyle™ 200 waterborne gloss and matt overprint varnishes (OPV). Compared to previous epoxy-based coatings, it also cures rapidly, helping manufacturers reduce energy consumption, costs and environmental impact.

Other products, like the Securshield™ 500 Series, serve easy-open food cans with a PVC- and BPA-free formulation suitable for salty or acidic foods such as vegetables, fish, or fruit. These coatings can be easily swapped into existing roller application lines and its suitability for a variety of food helps coil coaters optimize production efficiencies even on tandem lines and chrome-free substrates.

Ramping up supply

To bolster supply of BPA-free coatings across the EMEA region, AkzoNobel is significantly expanding its production capabilities with new plant in Villafranca. Simultaneously, in Asia, we have launched BPAni coating lines in Shanghai to address the growing appetite for safer, more sustainable packaging.

While each manufacturer’s transition timeline may vary, the direction is clear: they are preparing for the switch by qualifying compliant technologies and securing supply volumes to ensure a smooth transition.