Once again, the stage at Luxe Pack Monaco 2023 set the tone for a sustainable transformation in the luxury packaging industry, all while preserving the consumer experience. The spotlight was on material-driven solutions aimed at incorporating perfumes and cosmetics into the circular economy, aligning with environmental goals and impending regulations.
Sustainability, with a focus on recycled and biosourced materials, and the development of monomaterial packaging solutions in harmony with circular economy principles, dominated packaging innovations across all segments.
Circular Plastics
Plastic materials witnessed a transformation, with recycled and upcycled materials finding synergy with the development of monomaterial solutions that are compatible with mainstream household waste recycling streams. For instance, Dow, the manufacturer of Surlyn, an ionomer often used for cosmetics and perfume containers, introduced two sustainable versions of its flagship material: Surlyn Ren, crafted from biowaste like used cooking oil, and Surlyn Cir, derived from mixed plastic waste. These new ranges, created from alternative raw materials, maintain the same aesthetic and mechanical performance as the original material. LVMH Beauty has already pledged to adopt them for its 75 brands.
Aptar Beauty expanded its monomaterial offerings into airless packaging, presenting the Mono Micro, a fully recyclable PE 30-ml airless container, including the label, thanks to a partnership with Autajon.
Collaborating with Pinard Beauty Pack, Aptar also introduced Future Airless PET, a recyclable pack that combines its e-commerce-certified PE-based pump Future with Pinard’s patented PET-based airless bottle.
Albéa unveiled Pure Drop, a dropper concept with a 100% PP-based push-button switch, comprising only three parts. Even the pipette is constructed from PP and can be made transparent using PP Clear, for which a patent application has been submitted. The bottle can be either glass or plastic, offering flexibility to brands.
The French manufacturer also expanded its BreizhStick range, now featuring two versions: Breizhstick Tilty, designed with a beveled shape for specific applications, and Breizhstick Blunt, a flat-shaped option for standard uses. Both are constructed from four PP-based parts, enhancing the monomaterial trend.
Quadpack showcased the ShapeUp Stick, a 12.5-ml dispenser designed to shape formulas with high viscosity into various forms, in line with brand preferences. The whole pack is made of monomaterial PP, while the cap and base can be PP-PCR-based, combining ecodesign, customization, and consumer experience.
Cosmogen introduced a range of 100% PET or RPET sticks suitable for wax and anhydrous formulas.
Paper Assets
In the realm of premium promotional accessories, bags, and paper, Rissmann presented a prestigious bag constructed from FSC-certified flocked paper, created using eucalyptus pulp. The paper boasts a suede appearance and texture, featuring patterns produced through complementary embossing for an animal coat visual and tactile effect.
Cosfibel, for its boxes and sets, is diligently working on mechanical closing solutions that exclusively use cardboard for monomaterial designs. Additionally, the company is exploring organic cushion materials, including mycelium, a compostable botanical material derived from mushrooms.
Procos showcased the Grace Box, a high-end patented set that employs highly condensed, recycled brown cardboard. This approach offers a lighter, more cost-effective alternative to traditional wooden or grey cardboard boxes of similar thickness.
Plastic-to-Paper Strategy
Fedrigoni, a leader in high-end paper for luxury packaging, expanded its Imitlin range, originally recognized for its resemblance to noble materials. Now, Imitlin features Diana, a new embossing solution reminiscent of hammered leather, new color options, elegant finishes, and heavyweight paper choices.
DS Smith, a specialist in corrugated cardboard, revealed an e-commerce shipping box solution developed in partnership with Guerlain. Consumers can choose between a traditional ‘iconic’ case for the full brand experience or a ‘basic’ case for a reduced environmental impact when ordering online. DS Smith’s design minimizes empty spaces and integrates paper inside to better secure products without additional materials.
Forever Aluminum
Aluminum, an infinitely recyclable material, is central to green initiatives, from monomaterial to refillable designs. INCA Packaging, an Italian specialist in aluminum and plastic packaging, is meeting the demand by investing in processes that enhance sustainability. Their efforts include a new water treatment system, a 50% reduction in energy consumption, a 20% cut in chemical products, and an 80% increase in capacity.
INCA Packaging is actively exploring product designs using recycled aluminum (RE-AL) and monomaterial or refillable solutions. They showcased a perfume bottle stopper without any plastic insert and a cap for cream jars, both crafted from aluminum with virgin and recycled aluminum, ranging from 50% to 75%. The company is also developing an aluminum-based, 100% recyclable refill system for cream jars, with plans to replace Zamak-based ballasts with aluminum.
G. Pivaudran, a specialist in metal transformation, including high-end aluminum packaging, is modernizing its production tool to meet an expected 50% growth in turnover for 2023. Their new automatic anodizing line, operational in 2024, will double surface treatment capacity while reducing water, energy, and chemical consumption. As part of their ecodesign commitment, the company showcased an anodized aluminum strip designed to replace varnished, galvanized brass strips on Chance Eau de Toilette bottles for Chanel.
Axilone is pursuing a full-aluminum strategy, introducing a range of recyclable monomaterial lipsticks and 100% aluminum-based perfume caps as an alternative to Zamak.