The compact På(fyll) containers stack neatly for both storage and transportation.

Image: Form Us With Love

21.09.2023

Designing for Circular Consumer Goods Packaging

Four Nordic companies partnered to create a new circular service for consumer packaged goods. Called På(fyll), it is an app-based subscription service for household products made by conglomerate Orkla. Honored recently by Fast Company, it uses specially designed reusable and recyclable HDPE containers and aims to reduce single-use packaging waste.

Two plastic bottles with transparent label

Image: Dow

12.09.2023

How labels are becoming more recyclable

A world without labels? Inconceivable. Their endless variety of materials, shapes and functions help labels attract attention. But it should also be possible to separate them from their packaging again at the end of the packaging’s life in the interests of a circular economy. Recyclable solutions are on the way.

Oval labels printed with shiny bright metallic colours

Image: Actega

12.09.2023

Sustainable print finishing

Embossing, colour effects and particularly metallic sheens catch the eyes at points of sale. Finishing labels and folded boxes with conventional embossing foil, however, creates lots of film waste. But now an alternative, which allows metallic pigments to be applied selectively and cost-effectively and which consequently eliminates the need for plastic film, has arrived.

An icon showing a person disposing of waste

Image: Gary Chan/unsplash

13.06.2023

Labels with separation information on packaging help the circular economy

Efficient and consistent recycling is one of the pillars of a functioning circular economy in the packaging industry. Such recycling includes the correct separation of packaging so that it can be fed into its respective recycling stream. A survey has now shown that information about separation can play a decisive role for consumers.

An arm with a hand in a rubber glove is holding a spray bottle.

Bild: jeshoots/unsplash

16.05.2023

Better recycled material as a result of fewer fragrances

Not all recycled materials are the same. That is because the quality of recycled plastics plays an important role en route to a circular economy. The Fraunhofer Institute LBF has consequently developed a method that removes problematic fragrances from packaging for detergents that is being recycled.

Since 1970, the WorldStar Awards have been conferred every year. (Image: WPO

18.04.2023

Industry innovations in the spotlight

Since 1970, the World Packaging Organization has annually awarded the WorldStar Awards. With this prize, WPO honours the achievements of the companies and developers in the industry. In 2023, this highly sought-after prize will be awarded during interpack.

Is automation the end-all and be-all? (Image: Rock'n Roll Monkey/unsplash)

10.03.2023

Artificial intelligence for cosmetics packaging

During the production of lipsticks, faults in the outer appearance can occur. To detect these, SEA Vision trusts an inspection system based on AI that is self-learning and thus continues to further improve inspections. The system was developed in cooperation with ARGO Vision.

A blue rubbish bin with a white recycling symbol

The use of recyclates begins with the correct separation of waste. (Image: Sigmund/unsplash)

24.10.2022

Use of recyclates in packaging

If there is one thing the industry agrees on, it is that more recycled raw materials must be used. In the case of plastics, this means recyclates. They are in greater demand than ever, but the supply is still relatively small. What do packaging manufacturers have to pay attention to when using them, and what has to change so that more recyclates can be used?

Several harvested sugar bundles lie on the ground.

Plastics can also be produced from fibre-based raw materials, for example from sugar cane. (Credit: Victoria Priessnitz/unsplash)

24.10.2022

A bioplastic for every application

Fossil plastics have a lot of advantages, but they are also said to be harmful to the environment. Bioplastics are an alternative for packaging manufacturers. They are just as versatile, but are made using renewable resources, and some are even compostable.

Photo: Kier In Sight / unsplash

21.06.2022

Mono-material sachets

For packaging made of plastic, their potential to be recycled is very important. Refilling systems save material. Mono-material sachets and bags also reduce the amount of material consumed, protect packaged goods and have practical uses for customers.

A reusable glass bottle upright on the beach. Next to it lies a plastic bottle that is damaged in some places.

Image: Sea Me

24.05.2022

Deposit systems for cosmetics packaging?

On the beverage sector, deposit systems have been around for many years. Now, deposit systems are being introduced specifically for cosmetics packaging as well. A pilot project by Circleback is currently underway in Berlin, while Sea Me has introduced a reusable solution for cosmetics packaging with zerooo.

A refill cap is inserted into a cosmetic jar.

Photo: Papacks

16.03.2022

Refill and Reuse

Most packaging is used once and then thrown away. However, a change in this trend is emerging: In addition to the use of recycled materials, new reuse and refill systems are becoming a particularly attractive alternative.

Photo: Borealis & Tomra

10.02.2022

Goods in short supply but in high demand

10.02.2022- Although the use of recycled plastics is an important pillar of the circular economy, the recyclate market is nearly empty as of the beginning of 2022. In future, standards are supposed to ensure the availability of a sufficient amount of recyclates with consistent quality in order to supplement new material.

Image: P&G

25.11.2021

Procter & Gamble is packaging the future

What direction will packaging take? How can we meet the challenges of our times? These questions face small and major companies alike. At consumption goods giant Procter & Gamble, the future of packaging is in the hands of one man.

94% of the material for the caps on CATRICE (cosnova) nail polish is created from the post-consumer recycled plastic Procyclen.

Photo: Cosnova / ALBA Group

25.05.2021

cosnova implements post-consumer recycled material in packaging for its decorative cosmetics for the first time

The cosmetics industry is using more and more recycled material for packaging, although government requirements are not yet concrete. In the process, individual manufacturers are developing their own standards and making them available to the entire industry. The use of post-consumer recyclate reduces CO2 production enormously.

Thayers’ cosmetics bottles with red caps.

Photo: L’Oréal

12.02.2021

Increasing recycling of cosmetics packaging

The cosmetics group L’Oréal is striding into the future with new technology and an attention-grabbing recycling campaign with the objective of increasing recycling of cosmetics products and closing loops.

Photo: Nivea/dm-drogerie markt

26.10.2020

Filling up packaging at refill stations

In a variety of pilot projects, Henkel and Beiersdorf are testing refill stations for their products. In this way, the companies are seeking to contribute to more prudent use of resources and more recycling as well as to a closed-loop economy.

Photo: www.einhorn.my

27.07.2020

A real stunner: Menstrual hygiene products

Menstrual hygiene products: They hadn’t received much attention up until now, but sustainable packaging designs and tax relief on personal care products has pushed the subject of periods into the spotlight.

Foto: Kjaer Weis

25.05.2020

Refillable cosmetics are trending

More and more frequently, consumers opt for refillable solutions that help them have a positive impact on the environment. When it comes to make-up and skincare products, the offer of refillable cosmetics is on the rise.

The first prize in the “Household” category at the WorldStar Packaging Awards went to the Frosch stand-up pouch by Werner & Mertz and Mondi.

23.03.2020

What is reverse engineering?

Packaging innovations are increasingly based around closed circuits. Engineers are employing the principles of reverse engineering in packaging development. A current and prominent example of this is the stand-up pouch for Frosch liquid soap, produced by Werner & Mertz and Mondi.

Paper-based cosmetic tubes and bottles from Seed Phytonutrients

12.02.2020

Cardboard-based cosmetic packaging

Many industries are looking for sustainable packaging. Recyclable, organic-based or compostable. The next big trend: A new approach in the cosmetics industry - paper packaging for body care products.

COSMETICS