It may be just a thin protective layer, but the coating inside metal cans plays a crucial role in preserving food, keeping flavors fresh and preventing harmful chemical reactions between food and metal. However, these linings often contain bisphenol A (BPA), a substance banned by some governments due to concerns over health and environmental impacts.

Utilising Tomato Processing Waste

An Italian start-up has developed a bio-resin made from tomato peels, an abundant byproduct in Italy. The European Union produces about 15.4 million tonnes of tomatoes annually, with Italy contributing nearly 40% of this total. In the processing of tomatoes into purees, sauces, and other products, peels are removed. These peels contain cutin, a natural wax polymer extracted from tomato skins, which can be used to produce a non-toxic, biodegradable, hydrophobic bio-lacquer. This bio-resin is ideal for coating food packaging, like metal cans or paper cups.

Contribution to a Circular Economy

This bio-resin offers a BPA-free coating option for food packaging with durability and corrosion resistance similar to conventional options. Supporting the circular economy, residual peels left after cutin extraction can be exploited further in the production of biogas.

Market readiness

The bio-lacquer is currently sold directly to lacquer manufacturers and food packaging producers.