First, it started looking for more natural proposals in its composition; later on, it was committed to promoting sustainability in the whole value chain. The cosmetic industry is always at the forefront. This is why it is now very focused on the social voices that demand a reduction in plastic consumption and a promotion of more sustainable packages. Eniter has created original solutions for this sector.

Choose the package based on the necessary barrier

So far, the sector tended to use laminated aluminum in the packages by default. High barrier for everything. But was it really necessary in all cases? In Eniter, we have created different proposals—all of them recyclable—for each person to choose based on the protection they need. If the cosmetic product itself needs to have high barrier, we propose a specific single-material product (click here to know more). For cosmetic products that just need a barrier against oxygen and moisture, we have two different proposals:

1. Polyethylene single material. In order to offer a good protection, we have combined two polyethylene layers. We are well aware that the use of this material requires time to adapt to the manufacturer, due to its behavior in the machines. However, we consider it to be one of the most interesting new developments for the future, given the great advantages of polyethylene when recycling. Those who commit to this solution place themselves at the forefront of sustainable packages.
2. Joint polyolefins. This proposal includes two polyolefins, because the set has a considerable advantage: its components are recycled altogether. Moreover, it is a simple solution from the technical point of view for companies that embrace it, since it is based on well-known materials in the sector. It is an excellent transition solution, but its useability is shorter, because it is harder to recycle than in the previous case.

Any of these two solutions have great advantages over traditional proposals. The first one is the possibility to stop using laminated aluminum, a component that, practically, is never re-used as metal.

The consumers are demanding more sustainable packaging. The trend started with food products, but it has already reached the universe of cosmetics. And what a challenge that is! Because hygiene and beauty products have, due to their nature, very high standards.

High barrier without aluminum

In Eniter, we have created a 100%-recyclable proposal, specially indicated for the cosmetic sector. It is a single material with a barrier similar to aluminum. We have created a solution, which consists in joining up to three polypropylene layers. With them, we have managed to obtain a high protection barrier that offers almost the same properties which are usually expected from aluminum. This way, we obtain excellent preservation for the most demanding products, without losing the printing external aesthetics and, of course, offering a totally recyclable alternative.

The advantage of not using aluminum

There is a growing awareness in this market of the need to use single-material packages, because they are much easier to recycle. However, the number of people who know that we must avoid the use of laminated aluminum is larger. This metal, which has a lot of advantages due to its recyclability when used in cans or in other type of package, becomes a problem when embedded in the classic complex packages. Once the aluminum has joined a plastic material, it is practically impossible to use it again.

Prestige related to metal or to responsibility?

There are people who still demand the use of aluminum in the cosmetic sector. They claim that the metallic looks are associated with prestige, with the product’s quality. However, the perception of consumers has greatly changed in the past years—especially during the Covid-19 crisis—and the most eco-friendly options are growing in popularity.