The basic idea of sustainability

COSSMA: The demand for sustainable packaging continues unabated. When did this trend start in the cosmetics industry and how did it develop?

Demand for sustainability has dramatically increased over the past decade. Actions started with basic recyclability, then embraced other Rs: reduce, replace, reuse. Eventually, they encompassed processes and a gradual return to local supply. 

It has been a slow progression, but the carbon and waste crises are making the urgency felt. Without clear information, it has not been easy for brands or consumers to know how to make good choices. Under pressure by global pacts and commitments, the industry is now getting into gear. It is the responsibility of packaging providers to facilitate sustainable transformation, with total transparency. And it is a responsibility we welcome and embrace.

How has this trend influenced the development work in your company?

We take a holistic approach to sustainability, looking at our impact not only on the environment, but also on people – our own and those around us in our local communities. Our sustainability strategy looks to create a positive impact on the planet and on society. 

In terms of product development, we try to make it easy for brands to follow their own journey to sustainability. In our desire for transparency, we have created a ratings system to help assess the impact of our products. It is based on sustainability attributes and life cycle assessments (LCAs). The attributes comprise: reduced material or energy use; reusability, through refill formats or as a second life for the pack; materials replaced with sustainable alternatives; post-consumer recycled material use; pack recyclability; and biodegradability/compostability. I believe we are also among the first in the industry to offer LCAs. These comprehensive reports give the facts of each of our products’ impact, from marine waste potential to energy demand. We particularly highlight circularity and carbon footprint, as the two most significant metrics identified by our stakeholders in a comprehensive materiality survey late last year.

Altogether, we offer four levels of sustainability, culminating in the ideal: positive-impact packaging. Our mid-term aim is for all of the products in our fully customisable “QLine” range portfolio to reach a minimum level of advanced sustainability.

Which raw materials or packaging materials do you consider to be particularly sustainable?

There is a host of sustainable materials available and in development, but I would have to highlight wood and Sulapac. Wood is an endlessly renewable resource, when sourced from sustainably managed forests. Our wood factory in Spain is certified by the FSC and the PEFC, offering our clients a complete chain of custody. Wood adds a sensory level to packaging that cannot be matched by any other material. Each wooden component is unique in the world, with its own distinct grain pattern – and each and every one functions as a carbon sink, directly addressing the carbon crisis. 

Sulapac is an outstanding biocomposite. It is made of bio-based materials from renewable resources and wood chips using by-products from industrial side-streams. Sulapac mimics nature and designs out waste. Our Sulapac “Nordic Collection” is a range that is biodegradable, suitable for industrial composting and leaves no harmful microplastics behind.

How can the recyclability or even the reusability of packaging be increased?

Recyclability can be increased by replacing non-recyclable materials with recyclable ones like PP and PET or by replacing multi-material packaging with mono-material solutions. 

Reusability is one of the most sensible ways of reducing waste, so, whenever possible, we offer refillable solutions, where most of the pack is reused. The good news is that brands that have launched refills are finding increased acceptance among consumers. Package designs can also consider life beyond the use of the product, to be repurposed as decorative items or containers for jewellery, for example. 

The manufacturing process itself can also influence the sustainability of a product and its packaging. Where is the potential and where are the challenges?

The manufacturing process must always be considered when assessing the sustainability of a product – and there is so much potential in this area. Carbon neutrality is the main goal, and all our factories are well on their way. We use renewable energy sources and aim to reuse waste like scrap plastic. We have a biomass plant which uses production waste to fuel heating, air-conditioning and industrial dryers. It also has an emissions control system that exceeds regulatory requirements. 

Beyond manufacture, the supply chain also influences sustainability. Carbon footprint is perhaps the biggest challenge for global businesses. As a company that operates in three key territories – EMEA, the Americas and Asia-Pacific – we are working to deliver solutions in the region, for the region. We try to work with local supply partners. Also, by stocking components and decorating and assembling locally, we can keep our footprint down. Our product development considers this right from the drawing table, looking at new industrial processes and technologies that facilitate local supply. Our new airless system, for example, uses patented bag-in-bottle technology. Manufactured in Europe, it starts life as a bi-injected preform. The long-term plan is to stock these compact units in each region, to be blown on demand. 

We also encourage best practice among our supply partners. As essential stakeholders of our company, they need to adhere to the same, strict sustainability standards as our company.

Sustainability also means handling a very important resource carefully, namely the employees. How are these included in your concept?

I am very glad you asked this question, as it is so important. We are committed to creating a work environment that embraces diversity, respect and equality. Good communication is crucial to achieving an inclusive culture, so we encourage an open dialogue between staff and the executive team. In this way, we include everyone’s input and jointly shape the future.

We have an excellent People team to ensure our values are carried through in our policies, from health and safety to remuneration, considering such issues as work-life balance. Employees can choose from flexible work arrangements, for example; we all have the day off on our birthday and are given time to volunteer in Quadpack Foundation projects.

Collectively, these measures are helping us on our journey towards becoming a certified B Corp. Through B Corp, we can measure our progress and impact in five key impact areas: governance, workers, community, the environment, and clients. More importantly, we can use these measurements to establish even more ambitious goals. By early 2022, we aim to be one of the 4,000-plus B Corps worldwide who share a common objective: to use business as a force for good.