Demand for BPA-free can coatings to rise as European regulations take effect while supply chain gets shaken up
Rendering of can coatings products (SK Chemicals)
SK Chemicals is positioning its polyester resin business to capture new opportunities in Europe’s can-coating market as tighter restrictions on bisphenol A take effect in the European Union.
The new regulation, which came into full force in July, is expected to accelerate the replacement of BPA-based epoxy coatings that have traditionally been used to prevent corrosion and protect food and beverages from direct contact with metal.
Polyester-based coatings have consequently emerged as a leading alternative because they have good adhesion and chemical and heat resistance.
German-headquartered materials firm Evonik, however, announced in June the plan to phase out its global polyester business by 2027, citing intensifying competition, challenges at its European production sites and deteriorating profitability.
As Evonik’s withdrawal is expected to leave a gap in a market where changing suppliers can be difficult, SK Chemicals is seeking to leverage more than four decades of experience in polyester resins with its SKYBON brand.
SK Chemicals offers several SKYBON products tailored to internal and external food can coatings, as well as can-coating applications. The Korean company said its portfolio was designed to meet various requirements such as strength, flexibility, heat resistance, chemical resistance and food-contact safety.
Noting that the products have already been used on food and beverage cans, SK Chemicals underlined that this track record could become valuable as European buyers reassess their suppliers under tighter regulatory requirements.
A report from Grand View Research estimates that the global can-coating market is projected to grow from $494 million in 2024 to $660 million in 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of about 5 percent.
Chemical industry watchers expect that the BPA-free can-coating segment is likely to expand at a faster pace as regulatory pressure and demand for more sustainable packaging accelerate the transition away from conventional materials.
“In the past, performance and price were the key capabilities, but regulatory responsiveness and supply stability will decide who survives in the market moving forward,” said an industry source.
“With the EU’s BPA regulations coinciding with Evonik’s withdrawal, companies with proven technologies and experience in supplying food-contact materials are likely to benefit from the restructuring of the supply chain.”
hwkan@heraldcorp.com