PACKAGING ALUMINIUM
which requires 60% less plastic compared with the standard plastic bottle.
“Since then, many other brand owners have also embarked on refill concepts for different kinds of cosmetic packaging in order to reduce the carbon footprint of their products.”
“Aluminium is interesting for refills as it presents a premium aesthetic, especially with high quality in-line printing, which is very long lasting even in humid climates,” Vetroplas’ Dix tells Cosmetics Business. “To enhance durability further we can offer new manganese alloys to build in further strength and dent resistance. These bottles are shatter-proof and 100% recyclable and infinitely recyclable and, for these reasons, we receive many inquiries for both at-home and in-store refill packs.”
Dix further observes an increase in demand for PCR aluminium for refills, which Vetroplas can offer at 25%, 50% or 100%. “To enhance durability further we can offer new manganese alloys to build in further strength and dent resistance,” he adds. One brand to opt for Vetroplas’ aluminium refills was George Northwood’s shampoo range, for which the bottles were decorated with a white base coat to allow for opaque multicolour offset inks printed in line.
Of course, not all formulations are going to be compatible with aluminium and aluminium bottles’ coating, especially those containing reactive ingredients, or which are formulated without preservatives.
But persistent demand for refillable solutions and for aluminium as a material led turnkey service provider Jiangmen UA Packaging to launch its new Alu Airless, claimed to be the first refillable airless system with an aluminium outer container. The Alu Airless packs, which come in 30ml and 50ml versions, match a removable aluminium shell with a readily recyclable PP/PE inner container, together with an ABS/PP collar and AS cap. The glue-free assembly means the dispenser can be screwed out from the aluminium shell, allowing the inner container to be removed and recharged, and the dispenser to be easily screwed back in place. Wise Qin, Marketing Strategic Supervisor and skin care packaging expert at Jiangmen UA Packaging, explains that the company turned its attention to offering a reduced-plastic version of the single-use, double-wall airless packs popular among the luxury sector.
“The advantage is the plastic usage is half, because only the necessary or the functional components of the airless container are kept plastic,” he tells Cosmetics Business. “The traditional issue is that the aluminium parts cannot be recycled because they cannot be disassembled easily,” adds Qin. “But with ours, after you use it up, you can remove this shell which is now completely metal.” Qin’s colleague, marketer Bacey Lui, adds: “The reason we choose plastic for the inner bottle is
44 September 2022
because plastic is suitable for any kind of skin care products, like lotions, or any kind of serum, and also airless’ natural function is to provide maximum protection for the ingredients.” The airless system used features an internal
one-way valve system with flow control, which blocks air from returning into the tube, preventing formulation oxidation and allowing for a reduction in preservatives usage if desired. To add to the impression of luxury, custom colours, finishes and custom branding are available.
And next on the agenda, the company is looking to extend its range with a refillable aluminium alternative to heavy-wall airless jars.
COMPLIANCE & LEGISLATION While there is no shortage of innovation from industry, any barrier to usage will come from a lack of infrastructure and/or consumer compliance. As Galley observes: “Because aluminium is infinitely recyclable, it’s really important that it gets recycled. We are working with brand owners, industry associations, materials recovery facilities (MRF), remelters and consumers to raise awareness, and to increase the collection and recycling of aerosol containers.” For Spengler, sustainability and the prevention of product waste – an issue for legislators, packaging producers, customers and consumers alike – will further boost usage of aluminium.
“Legislators around the world will push industry to reduce food and product waste and the carbon footprint of their products,” he says. “The reduction of food and product waste is all the more important, because, compared with the content, packaging represents only a minor share of the final product’s carbon footprint. “Therefore, perfect barrier and easily recyclable materials, such as aluminium, offering utmost product protection with long shelf lives and endless recycling without any loss in quality will be customers’ first choice.
“In this context, aluminium is an enabler to achieve the best of both worlds”
cosmeticsbusiness.com
Alu Airless from Jiangmen UA Packaging aims to kickstart a trend for refillable airless aluminium containers
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