Can Conundrum - We are moving away from cans

Can Conundrum: "Major food makers are not moving quickly to adopt non-BPA linings, complains Green Century Capital Management, an advisory firm for environmentally responsible investing. In a survey it conducted of 20 packaged-food companies, 11 reported that they are “exploring alternatives” to BPA, but none presented clear plans or time frames for phasing it out."

“We’ve been working with some companies that are talking with suppliers and increasing pressure on can manufacturers to find a solution feasible for all can linings,” says Emily Stone, shareholder advocate at Green Century. “We understand it is a supply-chain issue, but the can has the food company’s brand name on it, and that’s a risk.”

One company that did not receive the survey is Goya Foods, a food processor and distributor of Hispanic foods. In an e-mailed response to a C&EN query, Senior Vice President Joseph F. Perez wrote, “Yes, we are working with the coatings industry, Valspar among others, as well as can-making companies, for example, Silgan Containers, for alternative coating options.” Neither Valspar nor Silgan responded to requests for comment.

The quest for a BPA substitute has sent many firms to the consulting firm Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions. “They all want the magic packaging material,” says PTIS senior scientist Aaron Brody. “We haven’t found it yet.” Brody suggests looking to Japan, where canned-goods makers voluntarily reduced BPA starting in 1998. Many switched to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester linings like those made by Toyo Seikan. Another option might be polypropylene-lined cans, Brody suggests.

But even these choices may not be enough. “The adhesive used to adhere polyester to the can may contain BPA, though it wouldn’t migrate easily,” Brody says. Between polyester and polypropylene, polyester resists corrosion better, he says, and both stand up to high temperatures. The likely impact of using either one as a can liner would be much higher costs, Brody offers.

Ironically, in recent years the most popular innovations in shelf-stable food packaging include polypropylene “cans” as well as pouches made of layered PET films. Rather than line metal cans with the polymers, food makers may just opt out of cans altogether. “We are moving away from cans—there hasn’t been any growth in the past 20 years or so. But polypropylene containers are growing,” Brody reports.

Still, grocery stores will continue to stock food in metal cans for years to come, so the search for an alternative liner will continue, predicts Green Century’s Stone. “Just like with the sports bottle industry, where brands such as Nalgene and Camelback are trying to one-up each other on BPA-free designations,” she says, “canned food companies that move quickly will find themselves winning in the consumer arena.”