AkzoNobel webinar examines future of metal packaging amid regulatory change

AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings hosted a webinar bringing together brand owners, canmakers and coatings experts to assess how the metal packaging industry is preparing for sweeping EU regulatory reforms.

The session, led by Tessa Slagter, sustainable innovation manager at AkzoNobel Industrial Coatings, featured contributions from The Heineken Company, Rud Pedersen public affairs and AkzoNobel.

Hans van Bochove, head of EU Affairs at Heineken, outlined how the brewer is adapting its packaging strategy to the upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), balancing compliance with consumer demand for sustainability, cost efficiency and brand identity.

Diane Watson, director at Rud Pedersen, provided a briefing on the wider policy landscape, pointing to reforms in chemicals legislation, the Circular Economy Act and food contact materials. She urged companies to take a forward-looking approach to keep portfolios “future-proof.”

AkzoNobel’s Chris Bradford, market director for coil & packaging coatings, highlighted the growing global focus on bisphenols and the need for coatings innovations that anticipate regulatory shifts. He warned that failing to adapt early could lead to costly reformulations and supply chain disruption.

Bradford added that closer collaboration across regulators, brand owners, manufacturers and suppliers will be essential as legislation accelerates: “The complexity and speed of regulatory change means that no part of the value chain can afford to work in isolation.”

A recording of the webinar is available on the AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings website.