Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in combination with other chemical substances, among other things, to manufacture certain plastics and epoxy resins that are used as protective coatings and inner linings for food and beverage cans and barrels. After re-evaluating the substance in 2023, scientific experts from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared that the intake of BPA through food poses a health risk to consumers and subsequently tightened the guidelines for food packaging.

In light of this, AkzoNobel, one of the world's leading manufacturers of paints and coatings, has developed a new BPA- and styrene-free inner coating for beverage cans that complies with both Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and EU regulations.

An important process step in the manufacture of coatings is polymerization, as it prevents the formation of undesirable by-products. The measurement of free monomers is crucial for monitoring the course of the reaction, avoiding harmful residues, meeting legal requirements, and ensuring the quality of the end product.

During the production of its bisphenol-free coatings, AkzoNobel monitors the degree of polymerization.

Polymerization creates the binder in the coating. It is crucial for the formation of the protective, resistant coating and influences various properties of the product such as adhesion and abrasion resistance and thus directly affects the quality, safety and functionality of the end product.