Evonik develops functional polymer design for safe food packaging

Evonik Industries has developed two new members of its Dynapol family of medium- and high-molecular-weight polyesters for packaging and coil coatings. Used in interior coatings, the two new Dynapol high-molecular polyesters, Dynapol L 907 and Dynapol L 914, provide high media stability and protective characteristics. The company claims that the polymers yielded the best results in sterilization tests with coated metal test specimens with spicy and highly staining foods.

The high-molecular-weight polyesters offer a suitable alternative to previous systems, which, in many cases, contained bisphenol-A (BPA). In January 2015, although concluding that BPA did not represent a risk to health for any age group at the current levels of exposure, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) lowered the temporary tolerable daily intake of BPA to 4 µg/kg body weight. As of January 1, 2015, the use of materials containing BPA was forbidden in France for packaging coming into direct contact with food. Dynapol L 907 and Dynapol L 914 are both classified as "BPA-non-intentional" (BPA-NI) substances.

Evonik's Dynapol product range is specifically targeted at food-contact applications. These polyester resins are established binders for the production of pre-coated metal packaging, which are suited for use in food cans and meet the technical requirements of the market. In combination with the crosslinker Vestanat B 1186 A, which is approved by the FDA, it is possible to formulate coatings boasting both flexibility and chemical stability, which are suitable for the high requirements of the sterilization tests used in this sector.

Other Evonik products aimed at providing safe and healthy packaging for foods include the company's methacrylate-based binders used in heat-seal coatings for yogurt cups. Sold under the brand name Degalan, these functional polymers are carefully tailored to firmly seal the lid to the cup in order to protect the contents while still allowing for easy user removal of the lid from the cup.