Sustainable Packaging in Overdrive at MakeUp In and Luxe Pack Los Angeles

The weather was chilly but the enthusiasm was blazing as beauty industry crowds assembled ‘en masse’ for the dual MakeUp In and Luxe Pack shows held February 16-17 at the LA Convention Center. Beauty Packaging’s Jay Gorga and Jamie Matusow were on the scene, as always, speaking to many beauty packaging suppliers who were exhibitors throughout the two days to gather news, and report on the pulse of the industry.

According to show organizers, 5,351 visitors spent the two action-packed days sitting in on 52 SRO educational sessions and speaking with 215 exhibitors (135 MULA exhibitors and 80 LPLA exhibitors).

Sandra Maguarian, co-founder and director of MakeUp In, reflected on the show with great enthusiasm. She told Beauty Packaging: “This last MakeUp in LosAngeles was not just a show—it was the Coachella festival of Beauty, with happy and smiling exhibitors meeting with rocking brands. Although the second day was slower because it was a Friday, in total we welcomed more than 5,300 visitors from 30 countries with a large interest in innovations for skincare first, followed by hybrid makeup.”

Fabienne Germond, Luxe Pack show director, also expressed enthusiasm and gratitude, saying, “We are extremely thankful to the Luxe Pack Los Angeles exhibitors and industry attendees for trusting our events to meet their business objectives, which allowed us to reach such record-breaking figures in Los Angeles. The continual growth of the Luxe Pack platform solidifies the impact, and more importantly the success that derives from in-person collaborations and networking between suppliers and brands. The industry continues to evolve, and our focus is to maintain that same expansion to consistently meet the industry’s changing needs.”

As is the case these days, many brands were researching and looking to resource sustainable packaging solutions and clean formulations—and industry suppliers had much to offer.

Aluminum tins, airless glass, mono-materials, paper tubes, component “families” and ‘recyclable-ready’ plastics all stood out on the packaging side. Refillables have seemingly reached a new level of acceptance—by suppliers anyway, as brands, consumers and retailers continue to adapt.

Other pervasive topics on the show floor ranged from eco advances to supply chain woes and the possible advantages of regional manufacturing, to difficult situations surrounding the economy and energy supplies. Most exhibitors agreed that the U.S. remains the largest market for the cosmetics industry.

Following are some highlights from the co-located show. These high points, gathered from our visits to LA exhibitors, are listed in alphabetical order for quick and easy access.

ABA Packaging

ABA Packaging has made great strides in being an early provider and leader of endlessly recyclable aluminum packaging, including bottles and jars. At LPLA, Liana Marchese, director of sales, and Mike Warford, director of business development, showed Beauty Packaging examples of how they are running with the metals trend. They have now introduced tinplate box designs, which can also be customized, made into palettes and used as gift sets. The tinplate is sustainable, refillable, attractive, different, and offers extended use. In addition, a new fully recyclable aluminum cap, with no exposed threads, is now available for the luxe market.

Above Aerosol Lab

Above Aerosol Lab is a new niche manufacturer in the beauty industry, based in CA.

The Clean Aerosol Solutions division provides innovations in the aerosol world. Lawrence Barrret, vice president, product development, says they “help brands (Indie brands especially) maintain their clean identity” through affordable R&D and low-minimum turnkey formulations and packaging. They offer six cans in a stock option, ranging in size from 1- to 16oz.

Anisa International

Anisa International showed a wide variety of new brushes and applicators including their 9-piece A-Line Brush Collection for eyes and face.

Inspired by “minimalistic design that offers maximum performance,” benefits include a standing design; portable yet functional; sleek and modern look; easy handling for maximum control; ultimate pairing for stick formulas; and customizable functionality for at-home daily use or on-the-go travel.

Anomatic

Metallizing using eco-alloys was an emphasis at Anomatic. 

Damien Dossin, president & CEO, said alloys can now contain up to 100% PCR. Whereas the material used to be more dull, less bright, Anomatic has now achieved a “high-bright” version “that you would normally get with virgin material,” according to Dossin.

APC Packaging

APC Packaging released their Double Wall Glass Jar, JGP, in the Exploratorium at Luxe Pack in Los Angeles. The double-walled glass jar was created with sustainable materials for skincare and beauty brands worldwide. The heavy glass outer jar is complemented with a customizable PP inner jar and cap. The JGP jar offers “limitless” decoration capabilities.

The new jar is available in 30- and 50ml capacities. APC’s website also features a 3D design for both sizes so you can design your own JGP jar and brand it with your logo.

Apollo+Beauty

Apollo+Beauty says their Double-R Dispensers make recycling easier. Just separate the metal spring from the “100% biodegradable” plastic cylinder. Each component can then be easily recycled.

Arcade Beauty

At Arcade Beauty, Larry Berman, senior vice president sales, NA, told Beauty Packaging, “It’s all about sustainability.”

On display at Arcade’s stand were refillable 3D spouted pouches (available in mono-materials) from uber luxe brands. They are a re-closable, retail solution for various types of formulas (body wash, shampoo, conditioner and more).​ 

Berman said, “It is the perfect solution for eco-refill formats and offers a large area of communication while meeting environmental objectives by reducing the carbon footprint linked to the transport of empty rigid containers to be filled.” Berman also said that the fragrance market “continues to grow like crazy,” and that one of the biggest initiatives lately is retail filling in fragrance of all sizes.  

Asquan

Asquan revealed the first offerings in “their foray into full-service componentry,” via a family of liquid eyeliners with a tank system. Miren Diaz, global creative director at Asquan, showed Beauty Packaging their new carbon black formula with its “intense, crisp black line” that is smudge-proof, sweat- and water-resistant and long-lasting. There’s also a carbon black-free formula for a line created with charcoal powder.

Diaz explained that these eyeliners utilize Japanese raw materials and are made in Europe. In addition, she said they come with full compatibility reports, short lead times, and a low MOQ. The products chosen have been formulated according to EU, US and CN standards.

Capardoni Group

Capardoni presented their Unicorn collection of dropper bottles, which highlighted their capability to print on the collars of the droppers. Two factories in Italy can partner with fillers.

Cosmogen

Cosmogen showcased its designed and patented Paper Stick, made of 78% FSC paper, for anhydrous formulas. This luxury packaging offers an “easy and glamorous” gesture, similar to a lipstick.

The stick’s innovative and patented rotating system consists of turning the bottom part, to unveil the formula-stick without finger contact. It is the tube that goes down and not the stick-formula that goes up. Paper Stick is entirely customizable to fit brand image—and is recyclable.

Three new products for body care include unique, removable applicators designed for pampering—and all recycle-ready.

Coverpla

Coverpla offers luxurious primary packaging for the fragrance & skincare industry with low MOQs and lead-times, as well as sustainable options. The supplier launched two new fragrance bottles in LA.

Gilda Mirra Cutri, vice president of operations and business development, told Beauty Packaging there is also an emphasis on skincare packaging this year—giving customers the ability to get to market quickly.

CTK

CTK, a cosmetics platform company, unveiled its MOQ 1000 service at MULA, prior to the official launch of its small-batch production service “MOQ 1000” on its B2B beauty platform, CTKCLIP.COM.

During the exhibition, CTK set up the booth as an online market that provides shopping for the beauty business. Visitors could use various services of CLIP through kiosks and tablets. CTKCLIP’s MOQ 1000 service is for small-batch production of cosmetics, allowing for minimum orders of 1,000, and allows for easy and fast online planning and production.

Elcos

Glass was a highlight at Elcos, as they introduced their glass airless bottle with non-metal pump and glass refill.

The bottles are refillable and recyclable—and ease of use eliminates any need to struggle to get to the last drop of your product. A new family series includes a square twist-up refillable bottle and jar.

Element

Element emphasized the sustainable story of their path to success with the inclusion of CO2 carbon-capture technology in PCR packaging.

Epopack

Epopack featured an eco-friendly and stylish PET dropper bottle for cosmetic products. According to the supplier, PET material boasts excellent chemical and physical resistance, making it a reliable and safe choice. Features include no breakage, 100% recyclable, and it can be colored, or without color/transparent.  

Fusion

Mono-materials were featured at Fusion, where Chelsea Allen showed us their new mono-material atmospheric pumps, as well as those that are mono-material and “completely airtight,” each with its own benefits depending on the sensitivity of the formulas housed inside.

Through its owner-partner, Aptar, Fusion has now expanded into North American manufacturing via a facility in Mexico.

HCP Packaging

Cheryl Bisset, senior vice president of sales at HCP Packaging USA, Inc., showed Beauty Packaging the latest addition to HCP’s growing skincare portfolio. The patented ‘Affinity Airless’ pump is offered as a full pack solution with bottles or tubes, and is suitable for low to high viscosity skincare and color cosmetics formulas such as moisturizer, serum, cream, sunscreen, foundation, primer and other complexion products.

Combining “high-performance dispensing with sleek aesthetics,” ‘Affinity Airless’ technology offers a premium experience to the “increasingly discerning” skincare and cosmetics consumer; optimizing product protection for sensitive skincare formulas and extending shelf-life, while providing great product evacuation and accurate dosage.

What’s more, the ‘Affinity Airless’ pump enables 360-degree application, fast priming and controlled dosing for “an enhanced user-experience.” The patented disc-valve engine upgrades the dispensing performance for highly viscous formulas.

HCT by KDC/One

HCT by KDC/One showcased its innovative patent-pending Refillable Flex Dropper. HCT’s team worked with Fenty Beauty to launch its Watch Ya Tone Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum in this package. 

The dropper package has 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 flexible recyclable PP refill easily attaches with one simple movement using the j-lock system at the bottom.  

IL Cosmetics

A plumping lip gloss, now in a liquid lipstick format, received attention at IL Cosmetics. The 100% vegan product creates a hot, spicy feeling on lips, and lasts for up to 8 hours. A demi-matte plumper is available in addition to the shiny gloss—and many new products are in the works.

Inoac

Inoac Packaging recently added Extrusion Blow Molding (EBM) to their extensive list of primary packaging manufacturing capabilities.

Clients seeking containers with a flexible wall thickness can now enjoy the same premium Inoac quality with an expanded menu of material types including PET, Polypropylene (PP), and Polyethylene (PE). Post-consumer recycled (PCR), recyclable, and bio-based material options are also available.

According to the supplier, if you’re launching a family of products, “EBM offers a lower tooling investment when compared to other molding methods and can be designed with low-cost interchangeable parts to achieve multiple neck finishes for the same container.”

Kolmar USA

At Kolmar USA, a contract packaging company headquartered near Scranton, PA, Anton Meindl, executive sales director, showed Beauty Packaging some of their latest innovations, including a range of powders with a soft, buttery-touch feel.

The same formulas can be used for a variety of applications. With Kolmar’s emphasis on developing new technology, products such as a clay-to-foam cleanser also stood out.

MAX Solutions

At MAX Solutions, Jeffrey Widro showed Beauty Packaging their range of cartons, rigid boxes, labels and paper foam boxes.

Neenah

At LPLA, premium paper manufacturer, Neenah, introduced a customizable rendition of its sustainable Neenah Environment Mailer. The new durable, paper-based mailer is ideal for non-fragile soft goods, textiles and apparel.

Available in three sizes (small, medium, and large), the premium customizable mailer features a coated bright white or natural color base paper and the capability to print up to five colors, including varnishes. Additional features include a patent-pending puncture- and water-resistant coating, luxurious smooth finish, expandable gusseted bottom, peel-and-stick sealing, and user-friendly tear strip. Made with 50% post-consumer waste, it’s certified sustainable and verified blue-bin, curbside recyclable. In addition, the mailer carries FSC, Green-E, and SmartWay certifications.

Kristen Duncan, Neenah’s product manager of sustainable solutions, told Beauty Packaging: “The customizable version of our Neenah Environment Mailer is the first of its kind. Like our existing ready-to-ship mailer, it presents a new option to brands seeking premium, sustainable, branded packaging that provides an elevated customer unboxing experience, starting right at the doorstep.”

According to Neenah, its extensive research with supply chain experts and third-party logistic companies was an integral part of product development.

Nest-Filler PKG

Nest-Filler PKG launched its One Click Refill glass jar, which is refillable and 100% recyclable.

OCR-GLASS reveals a sleek and smooth appearance, offering “the easiest refill technology at the same time with its patented one-click refill system.” By combining a refillable inner jar with a stylish endless reusable outer jar, the lifetime of the product is surely extended.

New High Glass

New High Glass says they are offering more services than ever before, with refillables and complete packaging “controlled by them.” Organic spray and printing on bottles, creates finishes that can be matte, frosted or any customization. And all are done in New Jersey.

NF Beauty Group

NF Beauty Group presented a number of exclusive designs and components including their new AMBIT easy-to-use tottles, with a custom-designed disc cap. Because of the size and shape, brands using this particular tottle can fit a lot of product on a gondola at stores such as Sephora and Ulta. The parts are easily separable for recycling.

Packtory

Claude Desmarais, director business development, NA, told Beauty Packaging that Packtory offers a wide selection of metal-free pumps.

He said, “Our eco-friendly, mono-material pumps are available in airless or atmospheric/dip-tube formats: both are recyclable. Our airless dispensing systems range from 5- to 150ml; our dip-tube pumps range from 150- to 500ml.”  Packtory also offers refillable metal-free options. Customization is possible for specific dosages and/or aesthetic purposes.

Premi/Berlin

At Premi/Berlin, Federico Prestini told Beauty Packaging that they had invested heavily in refillable components, from airless glass to dispensers and sprayers—and a refill that can be used for travel or placed in a bottle.

A bottle with an inner plastic and an outer glass can be easily separated for recycling. Premi also now develops their own formulas to be used in turnkey production.

Quadpack

Quadpack showed a range of new products, including their Regula airless bottle and jar range.  Chris James, vice president, sales & marketing, said they currently produce these bottles at their factory in Germany, but are in the process of preparing to manufacture the Regula range in Mexico beginning July 2023.

Key points of this new offering include bottles & caps produced in Mexico with final assembly at Quadpack in Carrollton, TX; shorter production lead-times; and local manufacturing to minimize potential supply chain issues. Regula’s unique snap-on ring allows easy removal of the inner bottle after use to make it refillable.

Samhwa U.S.

Samhwa U.S. once again attended Luxe Pack Los Angeles as an exhibitor, but at LPLA ’23, Samhwa filled a dual role as presenter as well. Vince McCarthy, company vice president of sales gave a session on the greatly increased sustainability of airtight sticks via the use of recyclable mono-materials. Airtight packaging reduces weight loss and preserves the ever more complex formulations extending the serums’ consumer useful life. McCarthy presented Samhwa’s new 15g airtight mono-material stick at the session.
  
Samhwa also featured their airless glass refillable bottles and jars at LPLA. McCarthy pointed out that 2022 saw a continued migration to the airless glass refillable format from single-use airless plastic because supporting a refill strategy is becoming easier. 

As far as their participation at LPLA, McCarthy told Beauty Packaging: “The LPLA 2023 show has been outstanding—the foot traffic has been amazing.” “So many new faces with such energy and enthusiasm for what’s new since Covid.” 

SHP

In a trend toward using mixed materials for packaging, SHP combined glass and metal parts for bottles and fragrance caps, as well as providing metal accessories.

Taesung

At Taesung, 100% PP mono-packaging, including PP mono-airless, and PP mono dip tubes—all made in PP— offer “a high level” of recycling. The components have also passed the “leakage test.”

Verescence

Verescence unveiled its latest creations, including the Moon and Gem bottles, two lightweight glass bottles with complex shapes. Developed in collaboration with renowned designer De Baschmakoff, the two bottles showcase Verescence’s technical expertise in creating lightweight glass bottles with complex shapes, both a perfect combination of luxury and sustainability.

The Moon bottle weighs 106g for 100ml. This one-of-a-kind organic shape features an off-center neck while preserving perfect symmetry of the bottle’s faces, offering a comfortable grip at the same time.

The Gem bottle has a striking, geometrical design with sharp angles and a broad octagonal facing, making it look like a precious gem.

The bottles are topped with a spherical mono-material LegnaPin cap made by premium wood component maker Minelli Spa (mPackting).

Virospack

Virospack showcased its new ‘DuoMix 2.0’ at MakeUp in LosAngeles. The two-product powder dispensing system has a new design to “renew the sensory experience,” according to Joanna Milne, key account manager.

It’s designed to deliver an easy, intuitive user experience, with a reservoir cap. Twist the cap to dispense the powder product into the bottle. Shake to mix it with a liquid, such as a serum or oil, and it’s ready to apply.

Milne also told Beauty Packaging that they have seen a change in strategy of sorts with brands wanting detailed statistics on packaging and CSR, rather than generalizations.

WWP Beauty

With an eye on “simple, mindful and genuine,” WWP Beauty unveiled 4 new collections of sustainable packaging and turnkey solutions at Luxe Pack LA, including SOS Ocean, EcoLuxe, MonoPump Airless, and Express Beauty Turnkey, described as “an effortless system of multi-tasking, time-saving, and on-the-go beauty essentials designed to deliver makeup routines in-a snap.”

Musa Dias, WWP Beauty CMO and global head of Innovation, told Beauty Packaging, “These product introductions are part of WWP Beauty’s ongoing commitment to ‘Beauty with Purpose.’ With sustainability at the core of its mission, WWP Beauty is working to provide customers with innovative packaging solutions that minimize environmental impact without compromising quality or design.”

Among WWP’s many offerings: The SOS Collection features a tube and a toner bottle made from ocean-bound plastic waste that has been recovered and recycled from Asian shores; the 40mm Ocean Plastic tube is mono-material, designed with 75% PCR ocean plastic; the mono-material toner bottle uses 52% fewer CO2e emissions per piece; EcoLuxe-Elevated Sustainability is a collection of stylish and eco-smart packaging designs ideal for skin and hair care products, including a refillable jar and airless pump designed with 100% PP mono-material and recycle-ready. 

See You Next Year

The co-located shows have now announced dates for next year’s Los Angeles event, which will be held at the same venue: February 14- 15, 2024.

See you then!