Emerging chemical solutions that are not compatible with metal are providing potential growth avenues for plastics aerosol containers, explained the International Liaison Committee (ILC) at a meeting in Japan hosted by the Aerosol Industry Association of Japan (AIAJ). The chemistries include hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite and various mineral acids.

With the general consensus in the aerosol container industry being a need for innovation, plastics are still a generally new option for exploration. As industry calls for a unified approach to regulation, it might be a good time to work with regulators and legislators in the area of plastics aerosol containers.

The Plastic Aerosol Research Group (PARG) is a consortium that is actively involved in the advancement of the industry, and many of its members promoted new plastics innovations at the Aerosol & Dispensing Forum in Paris, France this week, which Plastics in Packaging will cover in its next issue.

Recycling is a key issue being tackled currently by the aerosol container industry. Two years ago, Petcore Europe created the Plastic Aerosol Recycling Special Industry Group (SiG) in anticipation of an increased need to recycle higher amounts of plastics aerosol containers.

Petcore expects the European Union to update its Aerosol Dispenser Directive (ADD) this year and potentially allow for plastics aerosols beyond 220ml in Europe.