Basic can coating types and applications
Packaging coating for metal cans, lids and tubes are usually based on solvents, water or high solids. The most commonly used resins are polyurethane, polyester, epoxy, vinyl and acrylic. The application depends on the packaging shape, form and production process. The packaging coating can be applied by rolling, spraying a thin film, coil and sheet coating. We can help you find the right coating specialist to help you find the coating type and application that works best for your product.
Packaging coating for metal – from flexible to environmentally friendly
The ideal coating type for your metal or aluminum package depends on the demands and expectations for your product. Besides the price tag, different coatings have different properties. But whatever coating type you choose, they should all have this in common:
- Flexibility – Forming of the metal packaging may occur after the coating is applied, so the coating needs to be flexible to undergo this process without losing any functionality.
- Chemical resistance – From mild contents (peas or beans) to aggressive or acidic ones (sauerkraut, peppers, or bug spray), these coatings allow the metal to withstand their contents and not corrode and cause food spoilage.
- Easy application – With billions of units produced every year, the coating process needs to be fast and simple to apply in order to optimize production.
- Retortable – This is an in-container food sterilising process that uses a combination of heat and pressure. The coating needs to be able to withstand this without failing.
- Abrasion resistance – External coatings need to be tough enough to deal with the knocks that come with production, delivery, and use.
- BPA Free – In the EU, BPA is banned in packaging for products for children from 0-3 years such as formula and baby food, and the specific migration limit (the amount of BPA that can migrate to the food through contact) is now 0.05mg/kg. A number of countries within the EU have their own regulations for BPA or even ban it entirely, as France does.
Global packaging coatings market and available options
The packaging coatings industry is vast, and the top three vendors are AkzoNobel, Valspar, and PPG. Some of the other top players in the industry are Allnex, Axalta, BASF, DSM, Evonik, Flint and Sherwin-Williams.
| PACKAGING COATING MANUFACTURER | PACKAGING COATING PRODUCT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| AkzoNobel | Vitalure® food can coatings | Strong technical performance, chemical resistance beyond to current epoxy coatings, less materials of concern and fully EU and FDA compliant. |
| BASF | Laromer | BASF’s Functional Packaging portfolio includes materials that can be formulated for many applications and performance attributes such as grease and water resistance, ink adhesion, heat seal lidding, direct food contac |
| DSM | Resins | DSM’s high-performance coating resins are used for packaging, flexible packaging, and cans and containers, covering a wide range of substrates. |
| PPG | Hoba® coatings | Innovative, high performance coatings for monobloc aerosol containers, aluminum and plastic tubes. |
| Valspar | valPure V70 | Non-BPA coatings for the exterior of draw-redraw bodies and ends, easy open ends, and the interior of drawn-and-ironed food cans. |