AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings recently brought together voices from across the metal packaging industry for a webinar that explored how brand owners, canmakers, and coatings suppliers are building more ‘compliant, resilient, and competitive’ supply chains as they navigate Europe’s fast-changing regulatory landscape.
The webinar, hosted by Tessa Slagter, sustainable innovation manager at AkzoNobel, featured insights from experts in public affairs, consumer brands, and packaging coatings.
Hans van Bochove, head of EU affairs at The Heineken Company, shared how the firm is prepring for the upcoming regulatory changes under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and how these are influencing packaging strategies. He outlined how The Heineken Company is responding to consumer expectations for sustainability while balancing cost-efficiency and brand differentiation.
The session also covered a briefing on upcoming regulations in the EU from Diane Watson, director at Rud Pedersen Public Affairs. Diane emphasised the importance of a forward-looking approach to ensure portfolios remain future-proof. She highlighted key policy areas to watch, including reforms to the EU’s chemical regulatory framework, the Circular Economy Act, and updates to food contact materials legislation.
Chris Bradford, market director, coil & packaging coatings, AkzoNobel Industrial Coatings, talked about how the regulatory landscape is accelerating towards a patchwork of legislation due to the rising autonomy of different regulatory geographies. He stressed that despite these differences the overall global trajectory is common – increased focus on bisphenols. Therefore, future-proofed coatings innovations are crucial for manufacturers to ensure proactive compliance that minimises risks and costs associated with frequent conversions.
A recording of the event is available on the AkzoNobel website: AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings | Webinar recording.
