2011 means the year of sustainable packaging

23-Aug-2011 - Last updated on 24-Aug-2011 at 16:10 GMT

Sustainability is a hot topic within the cosmetics and personal care packaging industry as manufacturers and distributors continue to look for ways to reduce their fossil fuel and harsh materials use. In view of this, we take a look at a few of 2011’s most interesting packaging innovations in this category.

US degradable packaging manufacturer Eco Vision received a US patent for its biodegradable ‘Eco Jar’ which is used for cosmetics products.

Crucial for brand owners, the company claims that consumers identify the package as recognizably compostable immediately.

“It maintains package integrity even in cases of rough handling, particularly for products subject to leakage. By integrating compostable barrier films and coatings, the Eco Jar meets the packaging requirements for foods, cosmetics, personal care, and many industrial products” said Ellery West, one of the inventors and president of Eco Vision.

Pantene plant packaging

Similarly, US-based hair care brand Pantene launched new shampoo and conditioner bottles made primarily from plant-based plastic as the company increased its sustainability drive.

The new material made from sugarcane is featured on the Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion collection, which was initially launched in Western Europe, with further expansion plans to the rest of the world over the next two years.

“The use of sugarcane-based plastic in our Nature Fusion packaging allows us to offer the same performance consumers expect from Pantene but in a more sustainable way,” said Hanneke Faber, P&G’s vice president & brand franchise leader for Global Pantene.

Sustainable packaging

Colbert Packaging enhanced its sustainability claims with design improvements for its re-engineered EnviroGuard consumer product packaging, targeting increased flexibility for customers.

The EnviroGuard pack, an alternative to the traditional clam shell packaging, is designed for a variety of consumer goods, including cosmetic and personal care products.

According to Colbert, EnviroGuard was originally developed in 2006 and claimed to be made entirely of tear-resistant paperboard as well as being free of all plastics.