Helsinki, Finland - Material innovation startup Sulapac has introduced a new bio-based alternative for hard plastics, including ABS, as part of its expanded portfolio for cosmetics and beauty packaging. The new material - Sulapac Luxe - successfully melds more sustainability with a high-end luxury feel, function, and aesthetics, the company said.
“One major challenge beauty brands face in replacing conventional plastics is the strict performance criteria of the chosen materials,” says Colin Strobant, international sales director at Sulapac.
“With Sulapac Luxe, we have shown that conventional plastics can be easily replaced without compromising on quality.”
The high density new materials offer resistance to temperature fluctuations, a ceramic feel and sound, and a glossy, smooth surface - all important features for luxury brands. Sulapac Luxe is recyclable and , like all Sulapac materials, can be made with recycled content.
“Sulapac is a pioneer in recycled bio-based materials, and our aim is to use only recycled biopolymers within the next five years,” says Sulapac CEO and co-founder, Dr. Suvi Haimi. Sulapac Luxe is made from industrially compostable materials; it leaves no permanent microplastics or toxic load behind, she added.
The material is commercially available to all manufacturers and is a drop-in solution that can be processed on existing injection moulding production lines. A number of top cosmetics brands, including Shiseido, Lumene and Manik are opting to use the new material, available in a wide range of colours and surface finishes, in their packaging programmes.
Demand for sustainable solutions is growing rapidly, fuelled by companies actively seeking alternatives for certain conventional plastics widely used in cosmetics packaging, including thermoset materials. Thermosets are unrecyclable and thus potentially subject to restrictions by the European Commission’s upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Upcoming country-specific restrictions for certain materials, such as ABS, are also pushing companies towards more sustainable solutions. Sulapac’s expanded portfolio enables cosmetic brands to replace these materials with sustainable alternatives without compromising on quality or aesthetics.