Sulapac launches sustainable alternative for cosmetics packaging

Sulapac, an award-winning material innovation startup, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Sulapac® Luxe, a new bio-based material that is a sustainable alternative to hard plastics, including ABS, for cosmetics and beauty packaging. The material was developed in response to the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions that maintain a high-end luxury feel, function, and aesthetics from the beauty industry's leading brands.

Conventional plastics are difficult to replace due to their strict performance criteria, according to Colin Strobant, International Sales Director at Sulapac. 

“That’s one major challenge beauty brands face,” says Strobant. “With Sulapac® Luxe, we have shown that conventional plastics can be easily replaced without compromising quality. We have listened to our customers’ challenges, and the material has been extensively developed to ensure it meets the highest demands for luxury performance.”

Sulapac® Luxe offers important characteristics to luxury brands, including high density, resistance to temperature fluctuations, a ceramic feel and sound, and a glossy, smooth surface. In addition, the material is recyclable and can be made with recycled content, a feature many premium brands find essential. 

“Sulapac is a pioneer in recycled bio-based materials, and we aim to use only recycled biopolymers within the next five years,” says Sulapac’s CEO and co-founder, Dr. Suvi Haimi.

Sulapac® Luxe is made from industrially compostable materials, leaving no permanent microplastics or toxic load behind. Several high-end beauty brands have expressed interest in using Sulapac® Luxe with their existing glass fragrance bottles or jars. The material is commercially available to all manufacturers and can be seamlessly integrated into existing injection molding production lines.

Sulapac's expanded portfolio enables its customers to create packaging for various product areas, including skincare, makeup, and fragrances. Ulé, a brand from Shiseido, uses Sulapac® for its lids, while skincare brands Lumene and Manik package their products in Sulapac® jars. Brands can choose a matte, glossy, or natural appearance complemented by various color options.

Demand for sustainable solutions is increasing rapidly, with companies actively seeking alternatives to certain conventional plastics commonly used in cosmetics packaging. These conventional plastics include thermoset materials, which are unrecyclable and thus potentially subject to restrictions by the European Commission's upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). There are also upcoming country-specific restrictions for certain materials, such as ABS, pushing companies towards more sustainable solutions.

“We are happy to see the positive movement within the cosmetic sector as more and more brands are turning away from conventional plastic. Our job is to make this transition as easy and beneficial as possible – for brands, their customers, and the environment”, says Haimi.

“In Sulapac materials, the pioneering sustainability features, circularity, functionality, and aesthetics come together uniquely. That enables our cosmetic customers to meet their sustainability goals and regulative requirements while fostering a high-end image and exquisite customer experience,” concludes Strobant.