The preservation and storage of food in metal cans is critical to the health and well-being of our society. Canned food is economical and provides consumers with convenient access to nutrition when fresh food is not available or accessible. It became even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Epoxy-based coatings containing bisphenol A (BPA) have been used successfully for many years, but as the market moves toward BPA non-intent (BPA-NI) coatings, the initial performance has dropped.

Based on proven proprietary technology, Eastman has developed a series of new polymers under the brand name Tetrashield that offer formulators the performance needed for various segments of metal packaging coatings. With a strong emphasis on long-term sustainability, Eastman has a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), enhance recycled content in its polymers, and anticipate the future substitution of materials of concern such as styrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and butyl glycol.

Although Eastman is a newcomer to the metal packaging industry, it has invested in the necessary equipment and expertise to formulate and test its new polymers in metal packaging. In addition, Eastman’s analytical lab has benchmarked a large sample of cans from around the world and identified the various coatings used to determine if they contain BPA or PVC. It has also mapped various regions and their BPA and PVC converting percentage rates.

The world is changing quickly, and Eastman’s capability to innovate while enhancing sustainability make it an ideal long-term development partner for the metal packaging industry.