To talk about sustainable packaging implies discussing non-polluting materials, efficient production models, recycling, and ultimately, reducing environmental footprint. Today’s cosmetics consumer demands sustainability that goes beyond skin deep. These droppers are rethinking sustainability.
While sustainability may appear to be a recent trend, at companies like Virospack, it’s been a core commitment throughout their history. They not only prioritise creating inherently sustainable products, like choosing eco-friendly materials and minimising our carbon footprint, but also ensure sustainability throughout their entire lifecycle and beyond. They recognise that sustainability must always be aligned with quality.
The metallisation process, used in droppers, bottles, and packaging components decoration, ensures a high-quality and visually appealing finish while upholding its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The metallisation process
With having very low levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), the metallisation process, used in droppers, bottles, and packaging components decoration, ensures a high-quality and visually appealing finish while upholding its commitment to environmental responsibility. The in-house metallisation section operates with two automatic metallisation lines and one continuous sputtering line, providing advanced technical capability and a production capacity of 40 million pieces per year. The sputtering line enables to apply coatings with a metallic effect, boasting high abrasion and chemical resistance. Additionally, it allows for a wide range of decorative options when applied to the surface of premium packaging solutions. The high-vacuum sputtering stands out as the cleanest of all coating techniques, offering an unparalleled combination of advantages. It serves as a sustainable and economically efficient production method, producing subtle and uniform coatings while minimising waste generation and environmental impact. By adhering to the VOC program’s guidelines and achieving low VOC emissions, companies like Virospack can demonstrate their commitment to compliance with regulatorystandards. This not only helps protect the environment and public health but also enhances the company’s reputation as an environmentally responsible and conscientious organisation.
The Plant-based dropper
A company’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in their choice of eco-friendly materials for packaging solutions. Recycled glass and recyclable plastics can be an option to minimise their environmental footprint. This year a plant-based dropper cap innovation has been presented by Virospack, which uses the new ‘Forewood’ material, in partnership with the German company Rezemo. The innovation is certified by sustainable forestry – PEFC, it’s composed by a biodegradable biopolymer, 100% compostable plant-based, and 0% fossil resources, which reduces the CO2 footprint. It replaces the conventional plastic, free of fossil substances with the same functionality and performance. In addition to all these eco-powered benefits, it is possible to embrace the power of customisation as well, so important for brand positioning and final product design. In-house custom decoration and finishes for the cap and bulb parts therefore are available. To be in direct contact with the product, without compromising the structure of the material, the best option to this plant-based cap is using in the dropper kit a pipette with a Tenite: bio-based plastic > 40%. The ‘Forewood’ material combining the best of two worlds – the combination of wood fibres and biopolymers enables the production of unique materials that are 100% bio-based and contain no substances of fossil origin. The ‘Forewood’ materials convey their sustainability through their natural appearance and allow their properties to be flexibly adapted to different cosmetics packaging requirements. Renewable, infinitely available, and environmentally friendly – wood fibres combine perfect sustainability properties with beneficial effects on the material as natural look and improved mechanical performance. Replacing fossil resources with renewable raw materials – that is the idea behind 100% bio-based polymers. They enable the material to be shaped by forming a malleable matrix around the wood fibres.
The cap of the plant-based dropper is made of PEFC, composed by a biodegradable biopolymer and with that 100% compostable.
Recycable droppers
There also have been presented a range of 100% recyclable dropper solutions to the market. The offerings include various models, sizes, and necks, all crafted with components made from a high percentage of PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) materials, ensuring sustainability throughout the product lifecycle. These PCR droppers complement our existing range of glass bottles, expanding eco-friendly options for our customers. Additionally, the droppers are designed for easy disposal in plastic recycling bins, as all components are recycled together. Furthermore, each dropper is manufactured using PCR materials for the bulb, collar, and pipette, resulting in reduced production CO2 emissions and minimal waste generation post-use.
Verena Fiori Ferreira
Marketing Director, Virospack,
www.virospack.com