Four years of testing have now yielded results: in Finland, cosmetics company Lumene and material innovation startup Sulapac have collaborated on a pilot project to package two of Lumene’s most popular moisturisers in a jar made of industrially compostable material that does not harm the environment and is manufactured sustainably, the companies have announced.
The main challenge in using bio-based material for packaging jars has been moisture evaporation, according to Essi Arola, Head of Research and Development, Packaging at Lumene, which is why it hasn't been deemed a workable solution for water-based cosmetics.
“Through this pilot, we are making an investment towards the future of innovation in the cosmetics industry,” she said.
The moisturisers are packaged in jars made from Sulapac’s material based on FSC-certified wood chips from industrial side streams and plant-based materials. The inner lining of the jar consists of the world’s first barrier technology for cosmetics made of industrially compostable material that protects the sensitive cosmetic product and, in contact with natural microbes, eventually falls apart without leaving traces behind.
Both Lumene and Sulapac routinely use sidestream materials from other industries in the manufacturing of their products.
The ingredients in Lumene’s skin products include cloudberry seed oil and cloudberry seed extract are some of the ingredients used in several products in Lumene’s skincare collection obtained from the press cake leftover in berry juice production from several local companies. "The berries don’t have to be picked just to supply the cosmetics company. By using side streams, we also promote local partnerships and reduce waste,” said Arola.
The products will be available internationally on Lumene’s online store and in selected stores in Finland.