Propelling aerosols forward

canTech International
November/December 2007

There was a positive outlook at the Aerosols 2007 Congress and Exhibition despite high material costs limiting new developments. Katrine Kjoeller reports from Manchester, UK

While enthusiasm was present at the British Aerosols Manufacturers Association and European Aerosol Federation's International Congress and Exhibition, new developments were scarce. Several company representatives commented that the high costs of raw materials had created a situation where focus on sustainability and core markets is primary. Most developments came in the form of shaping or other minor alterations, done in attempt to create customer differentiation without very high extra costs.

More than 2,000 visitors, 90 exhibitors and 350 delegates attended the Congress, held this year in Manchester, UK, where 50 industry speakers shared experiences of the three inter-related pillars of sustainable development - environment, social and economic. All the various segments that play a part in the aerosol industry were present, from the suppliers of valves and other spraying appliances through testing equipment suppliers, as well as cap producers and fillers.

"Our industry has faced and responded to serious global issues but the popularity and usefulness of the aerosol as a packaging medium cannot be denied," notes Tony Wardell, chairman of the Aerosols 2007 Steering Group. "Some of those issues, whether scientific or regulatory, have helped our industry to innovate new formulations and materials, sometimes more quickly than we would have chosen. It is a credit to the original package design that the one-inch valve is still used around the world after more than 50 years."

New developments
There were several new developments on display. Impress had dressed a two metre aerosol can on its stand in a made-to-measure dress to highlight its "Dressed to impress" fragrance coating in the format of strawberry and lavender scented can coatings. Scent molecules are incorporated in the coating and released when rubbed - it then lasts for up to 40 rubs.

Crown displayed its specialised coatings and distinct shaping in the form of the human torso cans "Athena" and "Spartacus" for women and men respectively. Mike Cochran from Crown Packaging's materials development department was on hand to discuss the company's latest developments in RFID.

On the embossing front, UK-based Envases showcased its new technology, which can both emboss and deboss on the same area. A consequence of this can be a debossed area incorporating embossed text. Combined with decoration, this can create a strong effect that stands out on the shelf, according to the firm. The technique has been in production for the last year and the company now has a patent on it.

A new congress
The format of the congress programme was aimed at refreshing the original format, according to Wardell. "The feedback was good from delegates attending congress sessions - it was refreshing for them to have the opportunity to discuss with the experts, topics very relevant to their own businesses." While the presentations were still focused on relevant scientific, regulatory and industry topics, it was structured with an overall theme for each day of the conference, based on environment, social and economic sustainable development.

The environmental aspect on the first day included presentations from REACH, the new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use. This new law deals with the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances. Andrew Fasey, advisor on REACH, explained how the European Commission plans to implement it while Margaret McCaw, the REACH manager at Rovert McBride, discussed plans to deal with the new demands.

Economic growth
Day two started with an overview on economic developments in Eastern Europe and Asia before launching into debates on innovation and sustainable product developments in the aerosol industry.

Dr Paul Reynolds, who worked with BAMA on the Future of Aerosols Study, explained how formulation science can help the aerosol industry to produce new products. He notes that the industry needs new approaches to increase water content, and to use compressed gas to reduce VOCs without loss of performance. Another challenge is in using more water, which is an inherently
difficult material for aerosols. "Aerosols are seen to be engineering problems and opportunities, but we need chemistry," Reynolds points out. "Mainstream academic colloid science has not focused on the physics and chemistry of aerosols so we need to engage universities in the industry. While the current technological use of aerosols demonstrates their effectiveness as delivery systems and application methods, the need to focus on environmental issues will necessitate innovative approaches for new formulations."

Pauline King from Faraday Packaging, a company that links academia and industry, spoke about the company's approach of linking consumer behaviour and psychology to design and pack engineering to take packaging into new roles. This, she explained, is particularly interesting in the rising segment of over-55 consumers whose minor disabilities such as vision problems and arthritis affect their purchasing patterns.

Delegates were also introduced to producer and retailer perspectives on packaging through Unilever's and Tesco's presentations before insights into RFID developments. The day finished with an overview of the European, North American, Chinese and Latin American markets and international retailing trends.

The final day's focus on social issues related to the aerosol industry included information on retailers' sustainability programmes and how suppliers need to respond before investigating aerosol reputation, safety and volatile substance abuse. The immense range of congress presentations and the breath of interesting industry-related topics kept delegates involved from start to finish.

Impress
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