The present invention relates to a composition, which is useful for producing coatings for
metal sheet substrates of
metal cans for storing and / or transporting food or beverages or a lid thereof, and which comprises the following components:(a) 30 to 90 wt. % of a polyvinylchloride-(PVC)-
polymer,(b) 7 to 25 wt. % of an
acrylic resin,(c) 3 to 40 wt. % of a crosslinking agent, which is produced from
phenol, para-tert.-butylphenol,
xylenol or a mixture thereof, and
formaldehyde,(d) 0 to 8 wt. % additive,(e) 0 to 50 wt. %
pigment and(f) a
solvent-component,where all weight percentages are on the basis of the total
dry weight of the
coating composition (without solvents) and the composition is substantially free of
bisphenol-A-diglycidyl-
ether (“BADGE”) and also substantially free of
bisphenol-A-resins. The composition provides
metal can coatings that have suitable flexibility, scratch resistance, adherence and sterilization resistance when processed in contact with food. The coatings are suitable for three-piece cans as well as deep-drawn metal cans. In particular they are, however, useful for lids that are to be torn open due to their extraordinary flexibility and sterilization resistance.