Tessa Slagter, Sustainable Innovation Manager at AkzoNobel Industrial Coatings, presented at this year’s Chemical Watch Key Regulatory Updates Europe, sharing the company’s perspective on preparing packaging coatings for an increasingly complex global regulatory landscape.
Tessa’s session, From Disruption to Resilience: Shaping Regulation-Ready Portfolios, outlined how evolving regulations for Bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenols, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other materials of concern are reshaping requirements for food and beverage packaging coatings. With regions across Europe, the US, South America, and Asia moving at different speeds, she highlighted the importance of long-term planning to ensure continuity and compliance across supply chains.
Supporting customers through regulatory change
During the presentation, Tessa emphasized that qualification and approval processes for new coating technologies can take many years, making it essential that manufacturers look beyond immediate legislation and prepare for the regulatory trajectory ahead. She shared insights into the risks of regrettable substitution and the need for future-ready solutions that help customers maintain safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Investing in future-ready technologies
Tessa also referenced AkzoNobel’s investment in BPX non-intent (BPXni) technologies, including the €32 million expansion at the company’s Vilafranca site in Spain. The increased site capacity will support more resilient supply and help customers transition to coatings aligned with emerging global regulations.
Working together on the path ahead
Speaking at the event, Tessa highlighted the need for coatings customers to plan ahead not only for visible regulatory changes, but also potential regulatory changes which fit the general regulatory trajectory.
And with collaboration across the value chain and regulatory bodies, transitions can be controlled, and risks and disruptions minimized. AkzoNobel will continue to support industry partners as they navigate the changing landscape – shaping change together.