Versatile in use

COSSMA: What are the latest findings and achievements in the materials for tubes?

Juan Ignacio Valpuesta: There are different manufacturing technologies for tubes that are evolving in different ways, but, if we have to point out the most relevant one, we will probably choose those materials and processes that achieve a good balance between three requirements: sustainability, protection of the formula and outstanding decoration capabilities.

Press on the back and the content comes out at the front – what else can a tube do? Or where are the difficulties in cosmetics?

Our tubes have never stopped evolving. Some changes are very noticeable, some of them aren’t.We can easily change the way the consumer applies the formula by just changing the applicator (brush, spatula, …) or protect, dose, spray the formula by using an airless pump solution or bring a totally new world of decoration capabilities that open access to the IoT, AR,… Maybe the most important challenge is to integrate these functionalities in a tube while keeping it simple to be filled and sealed by our customers. Not all the cosmetic or treatment formulas can be packed in all different types of tube. Depending on the product’s fragility, viscosity or chemical composition, it will be suitable for a specific configuration. A correct understanding of the requirements and good communication between the tube supplier and customer is key to preventing compatibility or usability issues once the product is on themarketplace.

What role does sustainability play in the production but also in the recycling of tubes?

Environmental sustainability is a key aspect in our customers’ purchasing priorities. Fortunately, we developed a technology (ESTube) to meet the requirements of plastics in a circular economy strategy. This strategy identifies the goal for plastic packaging to be 100% recyclable in 2030.We have recently received the results of the evaluation of recyclability of one of our ESTubes: with a 99% score, we think we are well positioned to help our customers meet the future requirements.

What changes can be observed when opening or closing tubes?

Clearly the evaluation of those changes depends a lot on the consumer expectations. While some of them only look for an easy and quick opening, high squeezability for spreading the product and a safe closing to avoid any leakage. Other customers make the use of a tube to a part of a ritual where the expectations are higher. They want to have an specific effort or a “click” when they open or close the tube, they want to have a smooth dosing of the formula or a nice spray, and they will probably accept the collapse of the tube as part of the airless functionality (in airless tubes).

What will the tube of the future look like?

It will be even lighter than it is today while maintaining a high protection of sensitive formulas, incorporating recycled materials, helping the consumers to use it and dispose of it safely, and making the recycling process more efficient. It will probably look similar, but there will be a lot of innovation in it!