Feature Trends
Trends in inks and coatings for metal packaging
As we move into 2025, innovation and sustainability are some of the predictable themes that will continue to shape the metal packaging industry. Contributors from SUN CHEMICAL, SHERWIN-WILLIAMS and INX INTERNATIONAL draw on their expertise to highlight the latest trends in ink and coating solutions for metal packaging in the coming year. These come at the time of increased regulatory scrutiny and requirements for human health and the environment.
EDUARDO ALEGRIA Global Director Metal Deco Inks, Sun Chemical
responding to these changes but actively shaping
with products, tools, and processes designed
the market.
to meet the demands of
packaging
the future of metal
Chemical is not only
Sun
The metal packaging industry is seeing many key trends – most of which are in line with innovation and sustainability. At Sun Chemical, in 2025 we envision these trends to shape the way manufacturers and suppliers approach metal decorating, driven by advances in technology, growing regulatory demands, and heightened consumer expectations. Regulations surrounding hazardous materials are becoming increasingly stringent, compelling manufacturers to innovate safer alternatives for metal decorating. For instance, the red pigment RD.53:1, also known as red lake C, is expected to be reclassified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR). This has helped drive efforts to develop safer, non- toxic alternatives ahead of these regulatory changes. Sun Chemical
has already introduced an alternative to this pigment on the market and has taken this a step further by choosing a barium-free alternative. Barium is a heavy metal and, while there’s no evidence that the barium containing pigment is harmful, and there’s no regulatory mandate towards barium-free pigments, Sun Chemical is proactively offering a
barium-free alternative as part of its ‘Beyond Compliance’ approach to sustainability and environment health and safety. In addition, materials such as melamine formaldehyde resins, widely used in inks for beverage packaging, are coming under scrutiny. As a result, there’s a growing push towards developing formulations
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metalpackager.com
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