On Tuesday 16th June, the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association hosted an inaugural Sustainability Roundtable on board London’s HMS Belfast. The event brought together key voices from government, academia, and across the aerosol supply chain to begin work on a clear, actionable path towards a sustainable future for the aerosol industry.
Retailers, brand owners, valve and can manufacturers, and fillers convened to hear from academic, regulatory, and trade body specialists, and to take part in an interactive workshop focused on collective action.

Sandrine Delarue from the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) opened with a detailed explanation of the Green Agreements Guidance, and how it helps companies work together on environmental sustainability in a way that complies with competition law. 

Professor Ally Lewis from the University of York delivered an analytical presentation on indoor and outdoor air quality, outlining long-term trends in VOC emissions, the role aerosols play in the overall emissions mix, and the growing significance of solvents emitted by consumers. 
Maxwell Green of Make UK brought geopolitics to the fore, highlighting the impact of the Middle East crisis and industrial policies on the supply chain, and exploring the knock-on effect of commodity prices on manufacturing. 

BAMA’s Chief Executive, Patrick Heskins comments: “The aerosol package has shown remarkable resilience for over 75 years. To carry this success forward, it is important that all industry stakeholders are involved in the sustainability conversation. The Roundtable provided a platform for candid and fruitful discussions that will be invaluable in informing and guiding the next steps.” 

Collective action workshop 

In the afternoon, roundtable participants took part in an interactive workshop delivered by social and environmental impact specialists, Seismic. Looking at potential future scenarios, they were asked to consider how collective action today can positively reshape the future sustainability of the industry.  
Head of Impact Development at Seismic, Ro Egglesfield, said: “The roundtable illustrated an immense appetite for proactive, industry-wide evolution. Particularly encouraging was the shared recognition that with bold ambition and a drive for meaningful change, practical action can be taken now to deliver positive environmental and social impact.

“This first step made clear that a collective, action-focused approach to sustainability can turn a perceived compliance challenge into a competitive advantage, creating momentum for immediate improvements, while helping to secure a thriving and sustainable future for the aerosol industry.”

Be a part of the sustainability conversation

A follow-up online meeting has been arranged to explore the outcomes and insights from the roundtable. BAMA welcomes anyone from within the aerosol sector and the wider industry to join the meeting. For more details, please contact patrickheskins@bama.co.uk