Franck Flecheux, director at LEREM, explains innovations in its technological capabilities, as it problem-solves issues facing its members and the wider metal packaging industry

Since 1987, LEREM (Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherches des Emballages Métalliques – Metal Packaging Research Laboratory), founded in 1961 on the initiative of the French National Association of Metal Can Manufacturers (SNFBM), has been a non-profit association. LEREM is a member of various French technical and regulatory committees through AFNOR HO8F Committee Group, which designs and deploys solutions based on voluntary standards around the world. The French Committee of Aerosols (CFA), and at the European level, through Metal Packaging Europe (MPE), the European Industrial Packaging Association (EIPA) and the European Aerosol Federation (FEA). Based in Montataire, the organisation offers its services to its members as well as to all companies working in the metal packaging industry (mainly steel and aluminium manufacturers, food, cosmetics, industrial products and retailers) to solve the problems they may encounter in the vast field of metal packaging and its many applications.

LEREM’s routine activities

The market for metal cans is growing steadily mainly due to their durability, stability and safety. Annual European production is about 98 billion units for various applications (beverages, food, health and beauty, domestic and industrial markets), according to Metal Packaging Europe. The global market for metal packaging is steadily growing and is projected to grow 3.1% from 2020 to 2030. Metal packaging compares favourably to other types of packaging because of its physical resistance, which provides the possibility of sterilisation or stability when transporting hazardous materials. Metal packaging provides a good physical barrier that limits any contamination or “interaction” between the outer and inner sides of the container.

Finally, it is a practical and environmentally friendly solution compared to other types of packaging materials, which, importantly, can be recycled over and over again without losing their inherent properties. However, in order to guarantee these useful properties, it is necessary to strictly control the manufacturing process of the metal packaging and the quality of the final product. The most important requirements for metal packaging are physico-chemical resistance and airtightness. LEREM is at the disposal of the metal packaging industry, which it supports in :

1. Obtaining permits for the transportation of dangerous goods
2. Marketing safe aerosols that meet regulatory labelling (flammability and pressure resistance)
3. Advising all members of the metal packaging industry (manufacturers, users, relevant bodies)

With the ISO 9001:2015 standard, the organisation has the capability and competence to perform the following tests :

• Approval tests on packages intended for the transport of dangerous goods;
• Mechanical and flammability tests on aerosol dispensers and pumps;
• Laser diffraction particle size analysis;
• Electrochemical and storage tests (at different temperatures) on container-contents compatibility.

LEREM has extensive experience in tests related to packaging (up to 400 litres) for the transport of dangerous goods. Back in 1997, the association obtained its first approval from the French Ministry of Transport, which is constantly updated for testing, approval of design types and production control. This expertise is based on regulatory tests such as drop tests, hydraulic pressure tests, leak tests, stacking tests, corrosion tests in accordance with RID, ADR and CLP regulations. Regarding production control, the organisation is responsible for the on- site control of the production of approved packaging, which is repeated every three years as part of the certificate renewal process (ISO 9001).

The firm performs flammability tests, which were regulated in 2007 in the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and since April 8, 2008, in Directive 2008/47/EC. In France, these tests were included in the decree 2010-323 of March 23, 2010. The test method consists of:

1. Measurement of the ignition distance for dispersed aerosols;
2. Flammability of aerosols dispersed in an enclosed space;
3. Flammability of aerosol foams.

This method allows, depending on the values obtained and the criteria established, to classify aerosols as “non-flammable”, “flammable” or “extremely flammable”. The study on dispersed aerosols can be supplemented with particle size analysis by laser granulometry. This analysis is an important quality control method in various industries such as paints, food and beverages, aerosols, building materials, biocide products as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. Granulometric analysis is mainly used to make sure that the final product meets consumer expectations and, most importantly, is safe for use. Mechanical tests are performed in accordance with NF H44-023 and FEA 621 standards on empty cans without valves to determine the bursting pressure.

Additionally, the mechanical strength of metal aerosol containers as well as glass or plastic containers (aerosol or not) can be determined in accordance with the FEA 623 standard and the Directive 75/324/EEC. In accordance with the draft standard FEA 647, LEREM also tests plastic aerosol cans (cold drop test, hot drop test, product test, water test, water and antifreeze test and hot air test). LEREM has the equipment and technical skills to carry out on container-contents compatibility using electrochemistry, which can be very effective in determining the suitability of steel containers or selecting appropriate corrosion inhibitors to limit the corrosion risks of certain container-content pairs.

New tool for electrochemical testing

Impedance spectroscopy is an electrochemical method of measuring the electrical resistance (impedance) of the metal/ coating interface when an alternating voltage is applied to a sample at different frequencies. This method has been used in packaging research since the 1980s, and LEREM, for its part, has been practicing this method since the early 1990s, mainly on aerosol cans. The practicality of this method for the metal packaging industry is great because it allows the detection of very small defects (sometimes even smaller than those visible with a microscope), and since this method has no destructive effect, it is possible to measure the same samples repeatedly, ie to follow their evolution over time.

Thus, mathematical models can be calibrated based on repeated measurements from very weak and very accurate electrical signals at different frequencies. Using this data, an equivalent electrical model of the RLC circuit (resistive, inductive, capacitive) can be created. Then an equivalent RLC model can be applied repeatedly at regular intervals to screen the interaction between the inner coating, the substrate, and the filled formulation of coated metal packaging cans.

This test procedure compares favourably with others (ie, storage test, pack test, etc.) as it reduces testing time, thereby speeding up time to market, and decreases the number of samples to be tested (de Vooys et al., 2012; Soares et al., 2020)1. Equipment and measurement processing systems are constantly evolving, and as LEREM strives to keep up with the latest innovations, from December 2021 the association has been equipped with brand new, state-of-the-art and more accurate (10 times more sensitive) equipment.

A new direction – analytical studies

Recently, special attention has been paid to the materials and chemicals used to produce food contact materials (FCM). At the European Union (EU) level, FCMs are subject to the framework regulation EC 1935/2004. This regulation stipulates that FCMs must not alter the organoleptic and nutritional properties of food and must not transfer their components into food in quantities that could endanger human health. This Regulation applies to all substances that can migrate from FCMs, including so-called non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

Although EU legislation permits the presence of NIAS in FCMs, a risk assessment involving the identification and characterization of molecules migrating, as well as an assessment of exposure levels, is required. LEREM assists metal packaging manufacturers who want to ensure the safety of their materials, and carries out NIAS studies (identification, semi/quantification) using high resolution mass spectrometry techniques. The study of NIAS in FCMs will allow packaging manufacturers to confirm that their products are in accordance with current regulations and will help them comply with any regulatory changes.

References

• 1. de Vooys, A. C. A., Boelen, B., & van der Weijde, D. H. (2012). Screening of coated metal packaging cans using EIS. Progress in Organic Coatings, 73(2–3), 202–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2011.10.019
• Soares, C., Tenreiro Machado, J. A., Lopes, A. M., Vieira, E., & Delerue-Matos, C. (2020). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterization of beverages. Food Chemistry, 302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125345
  

Transcribed from the article “The importance of precision” of the November/December 2022 edition of the World Aerosol magazine.

Quality policy

Mr. Paul Garcia as Chairman of the Board of LEREM and Mr. Franck Flecheux as Director of LEREM are commiting to provide the means to enforce and improve the 2022 quality policy :

Listening to customer needs

To better understand the explicit or implicit needs and expectations of interested parties. The quality, reliability, precision and speed of the Laboratory’s tests are essential elements of its brand image and reputation.

Keeping qualified staff and resources

The laboratory is made up of qualified staff and control, measurement and test equipment to meet its challenges. The laboratory also has a Quality System which has been assessed and deemed to comply with the requirements of the ISO 9001 version 2015 standard, in its field of application.

Comply with regulatory requirements

The laboratory must prevent the risks of incidents related to packaging safety through actions and relevant communications.

Sustainable waste management

Even though the laboratory generates little waste we are aware that all efforts to limit the environmental impact are important. The laboratory is committed to maintaining an approach aimed at organizing the sorting of waste and managing its evacuation to appropriate recycling or treatment channels.

Our main missions

• Ensure the compliance of packaging intended for the transport of dangerous goods with a view to the issuance of approval certificates for packaging, in compliance with the regulations in force
• Carry out tests for aerosol manufacturers/fillers (flammability, pressure resistance, etc.) necessary to comply with aerosol regulations and the safety of all
• Represent the profession and defend its interests with public authorities and agencies and other professional organizations in France and Europe
• Provide independent expertise to any applicant for any problem or technical question raised during inter-professional or legal disputes
• Develop the commercial activity and improve the financial result

Our objectives

• Improve the satisfaction of our customers by analyzing feedback from satisfaction questionnaires and internal quality indicators, while maintaining the same high level of requirements as in recent years
• Ensure the safety of laboratory members at work
• Establish a project for the evolution of the laboratory’s economic model
• Set up the PHÉNIX research project, which is part of the OLIGO research project
• Establish a new agreement between LEREM and SNFBM

Mr. Jean Baptiste MATHIEU is responsible for monitoring the quality system of the laboratory.

Mr. Jean Baptiste MATHIEU will also be in charge of leading and coordinating the procedures of progress.

Quality represents a commitment for each member of the laboratory. The development of quality policies, communication, risk analysis as well as the respect of the fixed objectives constitute a priority for all.

The Director of the LEREM Laboratory,

Mr Franck FLECHEUX

The Laboratory Technician and Secretary,

Ms Corinne GUYOT

Food contact internal coatings

In recent years, a special attention has been paid to the materials and chemicals used to produce food contact materials (FCMs).

Research is constantly underway to improve the practicality and safety of internal coatings and food contact materials to protect consumers. The Article 3 of the European Regulation № 1935/2004 states that “any material or article intended to come into direct or indirect contact with food shall […] not transfer its constituents into food in quantities which might endanger human health”. This regulation applies to all substances that can migrate from FCMs – starting substances used to manufacture FCMs, as well as so-called non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

Although EU legislation permits the presence of NIAS in FCMs, a risk assessment involving the identification and characterization of molecules migrating from the material, as well as an assessment of exposure levels, is required. This year, the European Commission re-evaluated current EU legislation on FCMs and concluded that there are “[…] potential weaknesses in the current approach to regulating FCMs”. One of the issues outlined has to do with the identification of NIAS. The problem with NIAS is that even though awareness of the topic has increased, and some studies have been done, not many molecules have yet been identified, making it impossible to accurately assess the risk, if any.

LEREM’s expertise

LEREM supports its adherents and metal packaging manufacturers who want to be proactive and ensure the safety of their materials, and offers to conduct NIAS studies (identification, semi-/quantification) using high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques. Thanks to the collaboration with LABERCA, the PhD in analytical chemistry engaged at LEREM has access to the LABERCA analytical platform, consisting of 18 different instruments. Identifying unknown substances in FCMs will allow packaging manufacturers to confirm that their products meet current regulations and help them to comply with the regulatory changes.

The LEREM team will participate in the FEA congress 2022 in Lisbon from September 21 to 22.

You can meet us on January 25 and 26 at the Paris Packaging Week 2023. Our team will be present on the Comité Français des Aérosols (French Aerosol Committee or CFA) stand.

Paris Packaging Week 2022

On June 29 and 30, 2022, the LEREM will be present at the stand of the Comité Français des Aérosols (French Aerosol Committee or CFA) at the Paris Packaging Week

Aerosol dispensers

Working with the primary goal of preventing technical problems with new and existing products to ensure the safety of the aerosol dispensers industry.

Aerosol dispensers are the most technical packaging available.  

All the technical details that need to be controlled, in a very large industrial supply chain, must be realised so that, in the end, users can simply press the actuator of an aerosol can and the product is stored and dispensed correctly. 

First, it is necessary to ensure that the aerosol dispenser as a form of packaging is perfectly safe and remains stable over time. Stability of the packaged formula and stability of the integrity of the packaging. For cosmetic products, we often talk about guaranteeing a product for a period of 3 years.

Second, all of this must be guaranteed on a mass production scale. It is estimated that in 2019, 15.5 billion aerosol dispensers were produced worldwide, of which 5.5 billion were produced in Europe. 

LEREM’s expertise

There are not many places of expertise able to synthesise all these constraints. LEREM tries to do this as well as possible, thanks to the means at its disposal.

These various means are :

• Testing or stressing 
• Filling 
• Accelerated ageing tests by impedance measurement
• Storage chambers from 0 to 50°C
• Standard or customised flammability testing facilities for comparison purposes.
• Virtually all the precision measurement equipment required for aerosol dispensers’ assessments : 
  • Weight +/- 0.003g
  • Pressure +/- 0.01 bar
  • Temperature +/- 1°C
  • Dimensional +/- 0,01 mm
  • All the adapted cutting equipment
  • The possibility to carry out resin studies 
  • Software for measuring crimping dimensions
  • Vision system to observe details of valve-housing assemblies.
  • Spray pattern measurement
  • Clogging tests
  • Laser particle size measurement of spray particles – Malvern Spraytech 2000. 
• By the fact that LEREM has a recognised level of expertise and years of experience in this field. 
• Its knowledge of aerosol dispensers’ industry supply chain and its network within this industry.
• Its close relationship with CFA: French Aerosol Association and their agreement established in 2021 for the next few years. 
• By the fact that it is an association of public utility, which guarantees its discretion, objectivity, and independence. 

More details about this subject on the dedicated page.

LEREM represents the industry and participates to fundamental studies 

• The ECORBIO project, which aims to study the corrosion behaviour of piping with heat transfer fluids for the biorefinery circuits of the future using impedance measurement. In conjunction with INERIS, UTC, CETIM, UPJV.
• MPE (Metal packaging Europe) working group and the compatibility studies contained in the passivation processes for tinplate, which by 2027 should make it possible to use only chromium VI-free passivated tinplate. In the field of aerosol dispensers, this concerns tinplate can and valve mounting cups.
• The GDA (Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie) supply chain meeting and the many questions raised by the use of alternative coatings to phenolic epoxy coatings. In the field of aerosol dispensers, this concerns aluminium aerosol cans. 
• Various in-depth studies on existing aerosol dispensers’ flammability results, some of them linked to INERIS, which tend towards new gases development. 
• The OLIGO project – a very recent ANR study on the NIAS for new internal coating generation in conjunction with LABERCA and INRAE.
• Standards at national level at AFNOR (Commission de Normalisation AFNOR/H08F CN8 Emballages), at European level CEN (TC261/SC5 emballage métallique), at international level ISO TC52 (light gauge metal containers).
• Accreditation of LEREM by the Ministry of Ecological Transition (DGPR) with regard to transport of hazardous materials.  

• Parc industriel Européen
• Les marches de l’Oise
• Laboratoire LEREM
• 100 rue Louis BLANC
• 60160 Montataire (France)

• Phone : 03 44 28 56 30
• Cellphone : 06 37 05 21 94 

• Email address: laboratoire@lerem.org
  

In collaboration with the French Aerosol Committee, here is a summary of the points addressed by the french national regulatory assistance service. The new REACH and CLP informations are available in detail in a newsletter available for download at the end of this article.

New REACH informations

Restrictions

• RAC and SEAC advice: Restriction of lead in buckshot, shooting bullets and fishing tackle
• Call for contribution on 1,4-dioxane

SVHC Futures

• Public consultation

Evaluation

• CoRAP: 58 substances for 2021-2023
• Registrants: get ready to comment on the draft decisions about substance assessment (CoRAP 2020)

Registration

• PBT substances and applicable methods of analysis

SCIP database

• Available webinar materials 

New CLP informations

Harmonized classification and labeling

• Ongoing public consultations
• RAC Opinion

Poison control center declarations

• Update of the guide Annnex VIII

ECHA

Integrated regulatory strategy

• “Mapping of the chemical universe” progress

POP

• Public consultation: Pentachlorophenol

AGENDA

The new REACH and CLP informations are available in the attached document.

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The LEREM will attend to the 2021 virtual FEA congress