Beer and beverage can coating

Introduction

The first and foremost two functions of food and beverage can coating is to protect the integrity of the can from the effects of food and the other way around; to protect the food from chemical reactions. Food and beverage cans are made for long storage times so the coating needs to be durable and strong for years. Other important functions are:

  • To fulfill legal requirements from local and global governments.
  • To fulfill technical requirements  from te packaging manufacturer.
  • Withstand the production process and high and low temperature sterilization processes.
  • Applicable for different kinds of food and/or beverages even those with aggressive reactions to tin and metal.
  • Protecting human health by preventing chemical reactions and migrations into food.
  • Withstand adherance loss in case of (non-intentional) damage and deformation.
  • Prolong food preservation.

Application of packaging coating on beer and beverage cans

Packaging coating for beer and beverage cans are mostly applied before the can is formed to the can interior and exterior metal sheets or coils by roller coating. When the cans are preformed a spray coating can also be applied.

Beer and beverage can coating types

The following beer and beverage can coating types are most commonly applied:

  • Epoxy coating: excellent stability and protection. Different blends available to suit your requirements. Most commonly used.
  • Oleo resins
  • Vinyl organosols
  • Phenolic
  • Acrylic
  • Polyester
  • Polyolefins

US and European regulations

To ensure the safety of Food Contact Materials (like food and beverage cans), and to facilitate the free movement of goods, EU law provides for binding rules that business operators must comply with.

The EU Rules on food contact materials can be of general scope, i.e. apply to all FCMs or apply to specific materials only. EU law may be complemented with Member States national legislation if specific EU rules do not exist.

In the US the Food and Drug Administration has issued the code of federal regulations (CFR).