Food packaging chemicals and materials that Arkema makes include resins used for coatings, adhesives, films, equipment and containers, catalysts for polymer processing, polymer-based additives and processing aids, and stabilisers. Speaking at a recent SmithersPira’s conference in the US, Arkema product safety and regulatory affairs manager, Laura Anderson, explained some of the issues her company confronts in working to ensure its customers are in compliance. A major challenge for raw material makers is navigating the variety of global regulatory frameworks, Ms Anderson said. “The most significant difference in the overall framework is what we see between the EU and the US.” The authorisation of packaging polymers in the EU is based on migration limits for monomers, “somewhat regardless of their final composition and conditions of use”, whereas the US authorises them according to a specific intended use. To deal with this challenge, Arkema is educating its business and R&D staff so they can anticipate the issues and ask customers what exactly they require in terms of certification.
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