Cosmetics firms drawn to green packaging

09 September 2008 23:29  [Source: ICIS news]

NEW YORK (ICIS news)--Cosmetic and personal care firms are focusing their attention on sustainable packaging as a way to be more competitive as well as address environmental concerns, several industry sources said on Tuesday.

At the HBA Global Exposition & Educational Conference in New York City, several chemical and packaging companies showcased new products that offer sustainable solutions in their packaging materials.

The features included biodegradability, the use of renewable resources, recyclability, reusability and regulatory compliance.

Clariant Masterbatches, a division of Switzerland-based specialty chemical company Clariant, showcased its plastic additive CESA-extend, which the company said boosts the resiliency of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The additive can also be used to fortify biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), which - like recycled PET - have relatively low melt strength and can be difficult to process, said Peter Prusak, head of the North American Packaging market segment for Clariant Masterbatches.

“Product marketers need packaging that does more than look pretty on the store shelf,” said Prusak. “Today, the environment, cost-competiveness and retailer mandates are all issues that need to be addressed.”

Italy-based packaging manufacturer Leoplast introduced its new injection-moulded bioplastic cosmetic packaging line called Vegetal Plastic.

The company said it uses a 100% vegetable-based biopolymer called Ingeo, which is produced by US-based NatureWorks.

“Industrialisation of green packaging is already a reality,” Leoplast said in a statement.

“This new business reality brings a new meaning of how-to-do-business differently today - to make contemporary goods with natural origin, to bring performance without compromise and to make products that have a powerful environmental message to the consumer who is looking for a means to choose better,” the company said.

For packaging manufacturer Ampacet, its new plastic additive BlueEdge Formula X PET can increase the percentage of recycled PET in bottle packaging without affecting its overall clarity, according to the company.

“BlueEdge permits companies to offer more appealing, consumer-pleasing products that contain increased post-consumer recycled content,” a company official said.

“BlueEdge balances out the characteristic yellowish brown effect typically found when increasing environmentally friendly post-consumer recycled content loading.”

Also at the show, Alpha Packaging launched its plastic bottles made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic; Chicago Paper Tube & Can introduced its EcoPak cosmetics containers, made from 100% recyclable paper board; and MeadWestvaco featured its new Evolution2 paperboard packaging, which is meant to provide the same look as a rigid set box but with lower production costs.

The 3-day cosmetic event ends on Thursday.

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By: Doris de Guzman
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