November 12th, 2025

Abstract

The European Union’s ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials is driving a major shift across hospitality, retail, and manufacturing. Neo Cross Continental (NCC) anticipated this change and launched its 100% BPA-free Tritan™ Unbreakable Collection 2026, hand-finished to the highest standards, ensuring both compliance and premium quality.

Beyond compliance, NCC enables international partners to choose the material best suited for their markets – Tritan™ in the EU or polycarbonate elsewhere – while maintaining consistent brand identity and operational efficiency across venues. This proactive, partner-centric approach allows hospitality groups to scale seamlessly, preserve aesthetics, and elevate guest experiences globally.

Regulatory Context

On January 20, 2025, the EU (EU) 2024/3190 regulation came into effect, banning the use of BPA and other hazardous bisphenols in the manufacturing of food contact materials. This law replaces previous restrictions, repeals Regulation (EU) 2018/213, and modifies the broader food contact materials framework under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.

The ban encompasses plastics, adhesives, coatings, inks, and varnishes used in contact with food. It responds to the 2023 EFSA report highlighting BPA’s potential risks. While transitional periods allow some adjustment time, manufacturers, distributors, and ultimately retailers and hospitality venues must adapt to a material landscape in which polycarbonate is increasingly restricted.

Upstream and Industry Challenges

The ban’s impact is most profound at the manufacturing and supply chain levels. Polycarbonate, long valued as a durable glass alternative in high-volume hospitality settings, now faces regulatory constraints. Hospitality operators of any kind, from beach clubs to hotel pool areas and beyond, have relied on polycarbonate for safety, aesthetic consistency, and operational efficiency. Transitioning to alternatives requires careful consideration of material performance, clarity, durability, and hand-feel – critical attributes for premium venues.

Tritan™ has emerged as the leading BPA-free alternative, even exceeding polycarbonate slightly in glass-like aesthetics, robustness, and tactile appeal, but introduces new production complexities and higher costs that not all suppliers can successfully manage.

NCC’s Solution

Neo Cross Continental anticipated the industry shift and developed a full portfolio of hand-finished, BPA-free Tritan™ collections. These products combine all the attributes hospitality professionals expect from polycarbonate – clarity, strength, perfect weight – with enhanced durability, a more glass-like feel, and complete compliance with EU regulations. The collections retain the premium aesthetics and operational reliability that define NCC products while exceeding global standards for food safety.

What sets NCC even further apart is its ability to offer the same designs in BPA-free Tritan™ for EU markets and polycarbonate for non-EU regions. This flexibility enables international hospitality groups to maintain consistent brand identity, operational standards, and visual uniformity across all venues, regardless of local material regulations. NCC’s proactive approach reduces procurement complexity, optimizes cost-efficiency, and ensures that venues can elevate guest experiences without compromise.

Deep Dive: NCC as a Global Partner

Beyond materials, NCC serves as a strategic, unified partner for hospitality groups worldwide. Our expertise spans multiple continents, providing coordinated solutions for venues on land, at sea, and in the air.

From high-end beach clubs to daylight pool areas, cruise lines and beyond, NCC ensures that premium tabletop items meet exacting standards while offering operational scalability and design coherence. By providing material options tailored to local regulations, maintaining global brand consistency, and delivering exceptional quality at market-ready prices, NCC empowers hospitality groups, distributors, and venue operators to maximize both guest satisfaction and commercial performance.

Conclusion

As the EU enforces the BPA ban, it represents a pivotal industry shift and hospitality operators face the challenge of adapting to a new material landscape without compromising quality or brand integrity. Neo Cross Continental’s Tritan™ Unbreakable Collection represents a forward-looking solution: compliant, durable, and beautifully crafted.

With global reach, material flexibility, and a commitment to excellence, NCC enables hospitality brands to evolve confidently – maintaining the same premium guest experience, anywhere in the world.