Polyurethane crosslinker for cosmetic packaging

It is hard to imagine our daily lives without tin and aluminum-based cans. Whether in the cosmetic sector, used for deodorant sprays, or as food packaging in the form of the tin can. For a consumer product to be successful, it needs to look appealing on the shelf, and in the cosmetics industry especially, the design and outer coating is important. But, for all types of canned products, the internal coating is absolutely essential to the safety of the product for human application or consumption. In both the cosmetic and food industries, this internal coating plays a vital role by helping to prevent any interaction between the metal container and the actual contents.

Today’s more stringent requirements from regulatory authorities and institutions, voluntary commitments from companies to reduce the use of potentially harmful materials and intensified public discussion, have all resulted in a steady reduction in the options available for using crosslinking technologies for food and body contact. 

So far polyurethane powder coatings are not widely spread in this area, but significant technological breakthroughs have led to a reduction of volatile organic components (VOCs) in polyurethane-based powder coatings enabling the technology to gain a foothold in this area as well.

For example, Evonik’s VESTAGON® EP-B 1190 PU-based powder coating hardener has been approved by the authorities for direct food contact (accord. to the Food Contact Notification No. 1268), ensuring its safety for use in internal coatings for food cans.

Due to its high crosslinking density, the highly functional blocked PU crosslinker exhibits excellent media resistance. Superior chemical and hydrogen bondings between urethane groups lead to a higher surface hardness, while giving the can flexible strength during the production process and improved resistance from any impacts to the outside of the can. Combining all the advantages of PU systems by delivering optimal performance for both cosmetic and direct food contact applications, VESTAGON® EP-B 1190 is fully in line with the trend of the coatings industry to provide eco-friendly end products that help to improve consumer safety.