Phthalate-free packaging solutions for the paint industry

A packaging manufacturer uses a phthalate-free sealant in the production of buckets, cans and lids for the paint industry. This enables a more sustainable, more efficient and safer packaging solution.

Securely sealing metal and plastic packaging: The Emballator Group has relied on the expertise of Henkel Adhesive Technologies for more than three decades in the manufacture of buckets, cans and lids for the paint industry. The latest step forward in this long-standing partnership is the switch to a phthalate-free sealant. This reinforces the company's commitment to even more sustainable, efficient and safe packaging solutions.

The Emballator Group is a leading company in the field of industrial packaging made of metal and plastic. With a total of 900 employees and an annual turnover of 250 million euros, the company operates nine plants in the UK, Sweden, France and Finland, from which its products are distributed across large parts of Europe and shipped worldwide. At four sites, the company manufactures metal buckets, cans and lids in sizes ranging from 125 milliliters to 25 liters, which are primarily used in the paint and construction industries as well as in the food and chemical sectors.

Production is subject to high quality and safety requirements for packaging solutions. To ensure the integrity of the packaging under various conditions, the products must have low permeability and high adhesion to tinplate. In addition, high chemical resistance and elasticity are required so that the packaging retains its function even when it comes into contact with aggressive substances.

Another important aspect is the protection of the environment and health: the chemicals used must only have a minimal impact on these areas and must also be resistant to solvents. Hermetic sealing in particular plays a central role, as it fulfills several important functions: It protects against microorganisms, prevents the contents from escaping and liquids or vapors from penetrating or escaping, and maintains the desired vacuum or pressure inside.

Industrial sealants are used to seal the seam channels of the double and triple seams. The Emballator sites in Tampere, Finland, and Ulricehamn, Sweden, have been using Darex products from Henkel Adhesive Technologies for this purpose since the 1990s. The PVC compound Darex COV 53 was used to seal buckets. In this process, the lid is punched out of a coil or a pre-pressed sheet in an automated process. The sealant is then applied to the lid using a so-called liner. It must then be cured in an oven to achieve its final strength and fully activate the sealing function.

"Our collaboration with Henkel plays a key role in the quality and safety of our packaging solutions," says Jim Petersson, Product Developer at Emballator. "The process ensures that the packaging meets the stringent requirements of our various target industries." In addition to COV 53, Emballator also uses other solutions from Henkel Sonderhoff's polyurethane-based portfolio that are halogen-free. This qualifies them for use in products that carry the Nordic Swan Ecolabel - also known as the Nordic Ecolabel.

In an important step to promote sustainability and health & safety, Emballator replaced the PVC compound COV 53 with COV 73 in 2024. COV 73 was specially developed for use with nozzles and is formulated for use as a seal in the lids of buckets. The reason for the change: Traditionally, phthalates are used as plasticizers in the formulation of sealants. These chemical compounds can damage the human body and lead to infertility, for example. The phthalate-free formulation of COV 73 improves health and safety conditions for users and production staff while eliminating the risk of phthalates entering the environment.

The switch to COV 73 and the focus on more environmentally friendly sealing materials are an integral part of Emballator's strategy to bring more sustainable products to the market. These efforts are in line with the strict requirements of the EU's REACH regulation, which has banned the use of phthalates DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP in various applications - such as toys and cosmetics - since July 2020. Against this background, Henkel decided early on to switch its sealants to phthalate-free (NI) formulations. Emballator and Henkel are thus jointly pursuing the approach of reacting proactively and at an early stage to future restrictions in their industries.

"Together with Henkel, we are taking responsibility for people and the environment while responding to growing customer and market demand for more sustainable and safer products," summarizes Jim Petersson. Another goal of the collaboration with Henkel is the development of additional solutions. Proactive formulation and implementation gives Emballator a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment and enables the company to meet requirements both now and in the future. (OM-10/25)