Case.IMCD Nordics: Turning a regulatory challenge into a competitive advantage

With the EU ban on bisphenol A (BPA) entering into force in January 2025, our customer Roltex wanted to move early to find a BPA-free alternative to polycarbonate. Working with sister company Mälarplast, they partnered with IMCD’s Advanced Materials team in the Nordics to identify a high performing copolyester that is impact resistant, shatter resistant and suitable for existing machinery without retooling. This meant both companies could move quickly without disruption to production.

The transition not only ensured compliance but also opened the door to meaningful product improvements. Roltex’s new BPA-free range, launched in early 2025, now offers greater durability, clarity and heat resistance across trays, tableware and drinkware.

“Finding a durable and sustainable alternative to polycarbonate was a big ask”, recalls Maarten Stallinga Munhoz, CEO at Roltex. “We had looked at everything from modified PET resins to SAN, PMMA, SMMA and more.

By taking a holistic proactive approach to innovation, we’ve been able to embrace this change and improve our products at the same time.”

For Mälarplast, the shift is part of a broader sustainability journey. Peter Wall, CEO at Mälarplast, notes: “We already produce 35 percent of our products with bio-based content. We’re also exploring recycled content which is a natural next step and will help us reach even higher sustainability levels.”

“Throughout the project, IMCD acted as a single point of contact for both companies, ensuring that all technical, commercial and supply requirements were aligned across their Belgium and Sweden facilities. This helped maintain a consistent transition plan and avoid delays during the changeover.”

Tim Toth

Sales and Product Manager IMCD Advanced Materials

By combining forward planning, material expertise and strong coordination between all parties, Roltex and Mälarplast were able not only to comply with a complex regulation, but to strengthen their product line and reinforce their sustainability ambitions. It is a clear example of how acting early and working as one team can turn a regulatory challenge into a competitive advantage.

Formulatory excellence

IMCD’s role in the value chain has always been about connection. We sit between suppliers and customers, but our work goes far beyond moving products from A to B. Every day, our teams bring together market insight, regulatory foresight and technical expertise to help partners make better decisions, faster. We source, select, formulate and refine, matching the right ingredients to performance needs, regulations and market expectations. And when the right ingredient does not exist yet, we work with suppliers to define what is needed next.

IMCD Nordics: Turning a regulatory challenge into a competitive advantage

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