TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Coatings Inks
AkzoNobel’s Packaging Coatings business launches the first two products in its new Accelstyle™ range. Designed for the exterior of conventional two-piece aluminum beverage cans, both are free from bisphenols, styrene and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
Low-carbon Footprint Products
The new Accelstyle™ products further illustrate the company’s commitment to giving customers the tangible support they need to transition to a new future.
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Both new products, Accelstyle™ 100 and 200, can be seamlessly introduced into existing production processes, allowing can makers to transition to coatings that are free from certain important materials of concern, while remaining as commercially viable as possible,” said Jim Kavanagh, director of AkzoNobel’s Industrial Coatings business.
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The bisphenol-free products we’ve developed have a lower carbon footprint, compared with those we previously supplied. For example, the carbon footprint of the products for can interiors that we’ll manufacture in the new facility in Spain will be 26% lower than our earlier offerings, which were epoxy-based,” continued Kavanagh.
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And it's important to point out that bisphenol-free metal packaging isn’t just circular, it also meets consumer expectations for more sustainable packaging,” stated Kavanagh.
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Accelstyle™ 100 (a waterborne gloss overprint varnish) has already undergone multiple successful large-scale trials and qualifications with major European can makers, while Accelstyle™ 200 (a waterborne matt overprint varnish) is currently undergoing trials to optimize the prototypes for different gloss levels, from ‘soft touch’ high matt to a ‘grippy feel’ mid-matt effect.
New Bisphenol-free Coatings Plant in Spain
AkzoNobel invests €32 million in a new plant at its Vilafranca site, which will produce bisphenol-free coatings for the metal packaging industry in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). The facility will use advanced automation and has been designed according to high eco-efficiency standards, enabling the company to make a step-change in energy and material efficiency. It’s expected to be operational by mid-2025.
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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 force in Europe. The investment is in line with our view that bisphenols are no longer required to create safe food contact coatings for the metal packaging industry,” added Kavanagh.
AkzoNobel’s approach to the bisphenol transition of metal cans prioritizes consumer safety and sustainability with responsible material substitutions, while taking care to limit disruption to the value chain. The company is continuing to work closely with customers to help accelerate the adoption of bisphenol alternatives.
Source: AkzoNobel