Luxe Pack New York Hosts Enthusiastic Crowd

Luxe Pack New York, following its February success in Los Angeles, was back at Manhattan’s Javits Convention Center on June 15-16, opening to a crowd eager to network and move ahead in a “post-pandemic” atmosphere. Event organizers reported an 18% increase in attendance (3,490 attendees) and a 13% jump in exhibitor growth from 2021.

While many masks are now off and cosmetic industry sales are rapidly rising, talk of the global reality of challenging conditions—from Covid to supply chain; transportation, electricity and manufacturing shutdowns in Asia; and of course, the horrific situation in Ukraine—lingered in conversations around the show floor.

However, as Covid raged on, the resilient beauty industry was not deterred from meeting challenges head-on, creating new products and packaging, strategizing acquisitions, increasing turnkey options and forming partnerships.

Telling a Sustainability Story

Once again, beauty packaging suppliers at the New York event exhibited their impressive R&D successes, progress in using sustainable materials—and advanced, efficient and attractive componentry. As expected, there was a particular focus on sustainability—with an emphasis on materials including aluminum, wood, PCR, ocean plastics and glass for cosmetics as well as skincare. In general, it seems that the more sustainable attributes a brand can tout, the better the story they can relay to their customers.

Overall, sustainable packaging remains “a work in progress” as the industry—and the world—moves in this direction.

Ocean Plastics and More

At WWP Beauty, CEO Jennifer Adams told Beauty Packaging that their core sustainability mission revolves around materials and eco-smart designs. She has seen a shift with more brands focusing on creating a positive impact by taking ownership using sustainable materials up front instead of “putting it on the consumer to figure out how to manage the end of the products’ life.” 

Michael Tognetti, senior director, global sustainability and chairman of WWP Beauty’s Circular Committee, agrees with Adams, saying, “Development had been around reducing; now it’s expanding on new materials.” He said they have a lot of packaging stories for brands to share how they are taking ownership of the product—from 70% ocean plastic tubes to CSR and fair wages initiatives.

At LPNY, WWP Beauty also introduced their new packaging collections made with Eastman molecular recycled resins. The Cristal One Renew Collection features a heavy wall jar, lip-gloss, and a compact with a luxurious bluish tint and a rich look and feel. This collection is designed with recyclable RIC 1 resin featuring 50% molecular recycled content, and helps create a more circular economy.

According to WWP Beauty, Cristal Renew is “indistinguishable from virgin resin,” with a zero drop-off in performance or aesthetics due to the advanced molecular recycling process. Both collections will help advance the recycling of more materials, encourage recycling behavior and prevent plastic from going to waste. 

SR Packaging introduced their new refillable ECO Airless Jar, made of recycled plastic. It can be made of 75% PCR resin or 75% recycled ocean waste plastic.

SeaCliff Beauty is making numerous strides in delivering sustainable packaging for cosmetics and skincare. Brian Saputo, president of SeaCliff Beauty, explained that they are using “a lot more ocean plastics and mono-material airless systems—including the spring.” A selection of a dozen mono-material ocean plastics tubes are available with different nozzles from pumps to tips, for a variety of applications.

From sustainable materials to refillable components, Cosmopak offered a wide variety of options. Their new “Let’s Nurture” collection features metal refillable compacts, aluminum bottles and tubes, opal glass dispensers, ceramic lipstick and more—all available with a multitude of decoration options and vibrant colors at low MOQs.

With an emphasis at the show on regional manufacturing, the Albéa team presented a wide selection of packaging solutions made in America supporting effective supply-chains and integrating post-consumer-recycled content (PCR) for a more circular beauty industry.

Albéa introduced innovative PCR solutions for all packaging types such as mascara, compacts, lipsticks & jars. One of the latest innovations in Cosmetics & Fragrance is a mascara bottle made in Matamoros (Mexico), which reaches up to 60% PCR in total. The PCR Timeless range is made in Albéa Shelbyville, TN, and incorporates about 30% recycled material in total.

Classy in Glass

Coverpla was concentrating on stock, eco-friendly glass packaging for fragrance and cosmetics.

At Premi Packaging, which was recently acquired by Berlin Packaging, Federico Prestini, sales director of Berlin | Premi Industries, told Beauty Packaging that they are now focused on creating Berlin Beauty Industries—a one-stop shop entity serving companies of any size operating in the beauty industry, supporting them from product design to production, including primary packaging, secondary packaging, decoration and formula.

New launches include refill systems and dispensers for glass sprays, bottles and jars, “ideal for high-end refillable collections.” There’s also a high-end glass foamer for “a niche market.” Refillable and sustainable prestige solutions exhibited at the show are key products for the company, which presents the Makeup in Glass collection alongside the new refillable Airglass Jar and Foamy 150ml. 

There was an emphasis on lightweight glass at Verescence, where the Chanel No 1 bottle was a highlight. Verescence had achieved 30% less weight than usual for the luxe designer brand. Michel Levisse, vice president, sales, marketing and product development, Verescence North America, says they are the “only one able to do lightweight red glass.” The new Absolue Serum by Lancôme, produced by Verescence, is sealed in a sustainable jewel-like pack. This bottle is made of 40% recycled glass and is “forever refillable” thanks to a refill system in tubular glass that can be recycled and replaced when empty.

Among many other glass items, Baralan introduced its new Marina line of glass bottles for makeup and skincare products. The new series, available in two sizes, expands Baralan’s glass bottle offerings with a unique squared silhouette, available in two sizes. Rounded edges on the bottles offer a smooth finish, enhancing the aesthetical impact and user experience.

SamHwa, known especially for their glass refillable airless systems, received a lot of attention for the latest addition to that line, their newly introduced Square glass bottle—with a PP refill inside—and currently available in 30ml. Another innovation shown for the first time at LPNY was SamHwa’s pressurized atmospheric system, which forces product up and out from the bottom; this technology provides a completely clear bottle aesthetic by eliminating the need for a piston or dip tube. In addition, the company’s paper-plastic and wood-plastic recyclable tubes were a popular discussion point among SamHwa’s sustainable packaging offerings.

Bormioli Luigi’s Murano lip gloss and mascara tout “new innovation in glass with a plastic top.” The supplier says the silver coating on the bottle is fully recyclable. Bormioli Luigi partnered with Pibiplast on the wand and cap.

All-In on Aluminum

Metal packaging continues to be a focus at ABA Packaging. Their Envases line of all-aluminum threaded bottles and crimp-necked cans, available in capacities up to 750ml, has grown increasingly popular in the luxury markets. Many of the top-tier luxe cosmetic and fragrance brands are embracing aluminum packaging options because of the high levels of sustainability, and the innovative decorating techniques that are now available on ABA’s Envases line, including hot-stamping, spot varnishing and embossing.

Engraved aluminum caps were a highlight at Cameo Metal Products, where Anthony DiMaio, chief operating officer, showed Beauty Packaging a collection of plastic-free aluminum caps. Available in several sizes, they are all-aluminum with a thread mechanism built into the metal shell, making them easily recyclable.

Damien Dossin, president & chief executive officer, Anomatic, showed Beauty Packaging a two-piece metal cap with a liner, which Dossin says melts down during the recycling process. A popular line that Anomatic partnered on with Verescence (an aluminum lid and glass jar) is being built out into a fuller line with different sizes and a stamped aluminum cap.

Cosmopak showcased its new “Let’s Nurture” collection at Luxe Pack New York, featuring metal refillable compacts, aluminum bottles and tubes, opal glass dispensers, ceramic lipsticks and more—all available with a multitude of decoration options and vibrant colors at low MOQs.

Austrian manufacturer Tubex received Luxe Pack in Green’s top sustainable packaging award for its aluminum, resealable Monotube. Ideal for sampling or single use, the tube can be emptied all at once or re-sealed to use again. The Monotube is available in a range of sizes, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of products. Tubex’s Blue Tube EVO claims to be “the world’s first tube made of 100% recycled aluminum—infinitely recyclable consisting of 95% post-consumer recycled and 5% post-industrial content.”

Bottles, Jars, Caps & Sticks

A 2-oz 70mm PET jar is now available at Olcott Plastics, and complements its other sizes. Ideal for pomades and men’s grooming products, the jar is available in clear, white, black, blue, green and amber. Olcott produces its jars in North America, just outside of Chicago.

Elcos was displaying multiple packaging options geared toward sustainability. Howard Kim product development specialist, said the company is focused on sustainability. He explained that they are currently testing production on 50% and 30% PCR bottles, jars and droppers; as well as a full line of recyclable airless refills that are available in both PCR and glass. A number of collections feature packaging made of bamboo.

At Yonwoo/PKG (recently partially acquired by Kolmar), Sherri Ruffini senior sales director, PKG Group, showed us their new balloon mono-material pump for bottles. There’s no metal in the pump so all components are recyclable together. It’s available in an array of sizes.

A newly patented one-touch dropper was a highlight at APR Packaging. A small button on the side allows the user to lock and load—then dispense just the right amount, automatically.

At  LPNY, HCP was focused on brows and mascaras, and Cheryl Bisset, senior vice president of sales at HCP Packaging USA, also announced a new skincare line with a 50ml jar. The ISCC-certified supplier also previewed an entire pump line that launched with multiple sizes, along with a dropper line. Bisset says many of HCP’s bottles and jars are chemically recycled resins and PCR “through established supply chains.” HCP is known for its fabulous deco, and Bisset pointed to trends including stardust, 3D glitter, iridescent, holographic sprays, gradient sprays, clear holographic metallization and jewel tops.

Inoac is expanding into two areas: The first: thin-wall bottles that are squeezable, “enabling the use of dispensing closures and allowing for a lighter weight which benefits the environment.” According to Inoac, the bottles are said to have the same quality as heavy-wall bottles—and “with a wide variety of deco options.” The line is available in mechanical and molecular recycled PET. Second, Inoac is now in the extrusion blow molding market, which enables them to run in PET or HDPE including PCR versions as well as virgin.

Core Sticks were a turnkey standout at NF Beauty Group, used for everything from lip products to sun care sticks. Made of high ingredient ceramide, the formula is described as anti-aging and balancing. The “cream in solid form” is hygienic, and ideal for travel and on-the-go use. Not only is this considered a new gesture, it’s refillable as well.

Dispensing Sustainably

HCT (now part of kdc/one) invented what they call ‘Flex Technology’ in 2018, inspired by “the need to create a more eco-friendly option to a typical dropper used in skincare, which traditionally utilizes many parts and is therefore difficult to recycle.” Arielle Kuzon, director of marketing at HCT Group, told Beauty Packaging, “We managed to simplify the system by creating a flexible bottle with an ‘accordion’ design on the end so you can compress it and evacuate product without adding a silicone part or other soft material.

The Flex Dropper was the first innovation to utilize this technology; the inner bottle end shape has our engineered flex structure, and all parts are made of PP, which makes it easy to recycle without having to separate parts.” The Flex dropper is used like a pen: Flip it upside down and press the end to dispense liquid formulas. The Flex Technology line is now expanding, with “new innovations launching very soon.” 

Virospack’s new fully recyclable dropper, made of PP, can also contain PCR or virgin material. It’s available in three pipette lengths, so it can be used with various size bottles. The supplier also offers pushbutton droppers. According to Joanna Milne, sales manager U.S. & Asia, Virospack is continuing to reduce the carbon footprint of its droppers.

Berry’s low-profile tube, the B Circular range, uses less material overall. An airless tube, using the same material, will soon be produced in the U.S. Deco options include digital printing and soft-touch features.

Papers & Labels

Neenah showcased a number of paper items at LPNY. Meant to bridge the gap between creating premium packaging and using sustainable materials, Neenah’s 100% Post-Consumer Waste Folding Board is FSC Certified and made from 100% post-consumer fiber, manufactured with certified renewable electricity and processed using chlorine-free practices.

Neenah also highlighted its Environment Mailer (a finalist in the Luxe Pack in Green Awards). The Mailer is a verified curbside recyclable paper-based mailer with a 2.5-in gusset for flexibility to fit bulky items. It holds numerous certifications including: FSC certified, Green-e Renewable Energy Credits, made with 50% PCW, SmartWay Certified, Green Seal, and Find Green-e Certified Products and Companies|Green-e. There is a patent pending on the Mailer’s proprietary paper and unique coating, which Neenah says “provides superior water repellency, tear resistance and premium printability.”

Premium Label & Packaging Solutions (PLPS) was formed in 2021 to bring together a group of independent converters with decades of experience in the packaging industry. Converters in the PLPS group include Overnight Labels, Luminer, and Label Graphics.

The formation of PLPS allows each of the eight locations to offer faster turnaround times and an extensive suite of products that range from traditional prime labels to highly specialized packaging solutions, typically not offered under one roof.
At LPNY, PLPS showcased its inaugural collection of labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging. The line merges the newest packaging trends with an array of specialty finish options including foils, glitters, cast and cure, tactile coatings, and more. Design trends in the collection include Y2K,’60s Psychedelia, Color Mists, Perfectly Imperfect Sustainable, and Cut ‘n’ Paste Color Layering.

Homer Color Printing, which has been dedicated to creating high-end packaging for over half a century, showcased a variety of environmentally friendly boxes at Luxe Pack New York, including boxes made with FSC-certified paper, 100% recycled materials, and even bamboo/bagasse paper. Bamboo/bagasse paper is attractive because the plants regenerate faster than trees, biodegrade more quickly and contain more nutrients.

A sustainable foil board made with Unilustre drew attention at Oliver Inc. Nonlaminated, film-free and solvent-free, Unilustre is recyclable and repulpable, and can be made from post-consumer waste. It satisfies consumer-product-goods companies’ sustainability initiatives—its materials contribute to source reduction, use less energy and fewer materials compared with alternative products, are less expensive to ship, and can significantly reduce a company’s carbon footprint.

Stay Tuned

Beauty Packaging will be traveling to Luxe Pack Monaco at the beginning of October to see what some of these suppliers and others have in store for the final quarter of the year, into 2023. Hope to see you there! 

Trendspotting with Marc Rosen

Every year, I have the privilege of visiting packaging exhibitors on the LPNY show floor with Marc Rosen. I always gain additional perspective—and this time was no exception. Together, we discovered some innovative ideas for packaging from cartons to bottles.

“The 2022 Luxe Pack New York show was all about sustainability with a capital S,” says Rosen. “Suppliers had a variety of refillable packaging and were very articulate in their presentations. From glass to plastics, paperboard to metal, ‘reduce and recycle’ was the mantra. For packaging designers and marketers, the show yielded great ideas.”

We agreed that one of the most interesting and most unique suppliers was Innerbottle.

The Korea-based (and UK-commercialized) company says their goal is “to make zero product waste.” Innerbottle previewed a new look in the market with a range of interesting and attractive “2-in-1” pod style bottles. A refillable inner fitment expands when filled and deflates as it empties showing the consumer the level of consumption. The bottle is made of 100% PCR with a metal-free pump. Eunyou Park, CEO Office, strategic planning, told us they are working on a mono-material pump as well. The “perfectly sealed” bulb is eye-catching in white, but can also be colored. One model, a prototype for now, displays the pod in a frame.

At Packtory, Claude Desmarais, director business development, NA, told us that they’re mostly using PCR plastic, although “luxury brands have not yet come around to it.” They’re now focusing on a bio-plastic mixture, which relies on vegetable sources. Packtory is also testing polymers produced from agricultural waste—with PCR PP so no virgin fossil fuels are used. Desmarais also showed us jars and lids made of aluminum, saying they’re easy and affordable to customize and decorate.

MYC Packaging offered a wide variety of sustainable solutions. Many components were made of mono-materials, “made of commonly recycled materials such as PET and aluminum—and 100% PP for water-based formulas,” according to Olivier Juguet, general manager, North America. An attractive full makeup line in PET can be refillable as well as recyclable.

As far as their position on sustainability, Juguet told us: “It takes a village to improve and resolve the recyclability of beauty packaging. It involves Packaging Suppliers, Formulators, Brands, Consumers & Community (Legislators) & the Waste Stream actors… Within this framework, our role as a packaging supplier is to offer innovative and sustainable packaging solutions...”

Luxe Pack in Green Trophy Combines Luxe and Sustainable

Hunter Luxury hit the mark that many upscale brands are striving to achieve.

Hunter Luxury created this year’s unique  Luxe Pack in Green trophy, using 16 innovative materials to show that luxury can be sustainable. Materials used include recycled cork, grain waste board, recycled plastic silk fabric, FSC paper, and marbled plastic made from post-consumer waste bottles, destined for the ocean. Hunter Luxury says the award design highlights that there are no right or wrong approaches to sustainability, whether the focus is on reducing plastic, creating zero waste, or developing reusable packaging. All are valuable and achievable with experience, creativity, and the sourcing expertise to create sustainable luxury packaging.