Rexam New Technology to Support Customers' Committment to Sustainability
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To support customers who have a commitment to sustainability and the environment Rexam today has three major innovative product lines for make-up packaging.
To support customers who have a commitment to sustainability and the environment Rexam today has three major innovative product lines for make-up packaging:
1) products using corn-based resin
2) products using wood-based resin
3) refillable packaging
At Luxe Pack 2006, Rexam will be unveiling its new make-up compacts using biodegradable and recyclable corn-based resin. It will also be showing two new make-up lines from Natura, the Brazilian cosmetics market leader: one uses resin made from wood chips while the other has a fully functional refillable feature.
1) Biodegradable and recyclable compacts using corn-based resin
Rexam has developed and harnessed the injection technology to produce compacts from PLA (Polylactic Acid), a resin produced from corn. The compacts are similar to conventional compacts in every way and may be decorated and produced in any choice of colours. The cost is similar to that of a traditionally produced make-up compact. The injection technology can be developed to apply to other kinds of make-up packaging (lipsticks, mascaras, jars, etc.).
Approved by the Food & Drug Administration in the United States, the product is biodegradable and recyclable. It also meets the requirements of standards ASTM D6400 in terms of biodegradability.
2) Aquarela and Diversa - two environmentally-friendly make-up lines for Natura, the Brazilian cosmetics brand
Natura, the Brazilian cosmetics brand, is well known for its active commitment to sustainable development. In 2004, it came to Rexam to help develop a lipstick case for its Aquarela make-up line, designed to reduce impact on the environment. In 2006, a number of Aquarela line extensions were launched including lip gloss, mascara and compact. Natura has also launched a new refillable make-up line, Diversa.
a) The Aquarela make-up line with innovative wood chip resin
Natura wanted to create a make-up line that looked like wood but produced a lesser impact on the environment. The line, made by Rexam in Brazil, includes a lipstick, a lip gloss, a mascara and compact. It creates a natural-looking stylish appearance. The line reflects Natura's commitment to sustainability by using a combination of less plastic and a natural material which degrades more quickly than plastic to reduce the product's life cycle after use.
Rexam innovation: expertise in WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) injection
Rexam used an innovative resin called WPC. In the past the material had been used exclusively in extrusion processes (in furniture for example) but was difficult to inject. Rexam developed the technology to make the material injectable while respecting the strict specifications laid down by Natura.
WPC is a mixture of wood fibre (40-60%) and PP (Polypropylene). The wood used for the Aquarela line is certified (i.e. grown exclusively for this specific end-use).
Rexam know-how:
Rexam had to meet a number of significant manufacturing requirements. The main one was eliminating the phenomenon of "pipes" or warping that tends to appear during the injection process for products of different thicknesses. In this new process, Rexam controls the size of wood particles so that they are large enough to be visible, and small enough to be injectable.
b) Diversa refillable make-up line
The Diversa line developed by Rexam for Natura includes a refillable lipstick and compact in addition to a foundation, lip gloss and concealer.The refills (one refill for the lipstick and three refills for the compact - blush, mono eye shadow and duo eye shadow) are based on a principle of common sense. They create less environmental impact in that they reduce the amount of plastic that needs to be used. When the product runs out, consumers retain the packaging and buy new contents which they refill themselves.
