Broadening horizons

Products in the cosmetics & personal care sectors are doubtless most associated with rigid plastics and glass, in terms of how they are packaged for the end consumer - flexibles play a part, certainly for bag-in-bottle formats, as well as for travel sizes, samples, secondary or gift packaging and some others. For packaging manufacturers, however, some consideration of where opportunities may lie with alternative packaging formats in the sector is surely worthwhile.

Global market research company Canadean provides insight from its Packaging Intelligence Center, with some detailed analysis of rates of use of different pack material types in selected product categories, comparing Western Europe (UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Belgium) with the BRIC countries.

A glance at the table (data for 2012) shows clearly that rigid plastics play a much more dominant role in western European markets than in the BRICs, where flexibles show a significantly higher presence. "In Western Europe there are [more than] twice as many rigid plastic packs as flexible packs, in BRIC they have equal share," Canadean points out.

Drilling down into their research, Canadean's figures show that in western Europe, flexible packaging is used for 31.9% of pack units within the Oral Hygiene category, compared to 14.7% in the BRIC markets. And in the BRICs, a figure of 32.4% for flexibles within Haircare, compared to just 13.2% in Western Europe, points to some major cultural differences in how products within those two categories are presented to and used by consumers.

The use of flexible packaging within other personal care categories, such as cosmetics, feminine hygiene and male toiletries, is shown to be roughly similar in the two sets of regions studied, with some differences between the figures for Personal Hygiene, Skincare and Suncare.

And going further, Canadean data highlights the fact that in the Haircare sector in the BRIC markets, it is the shampoo category - where 77.2% of packs are made from flexible materials - that produces the relatively high figure of 32.4% of flexibles. Pack size is said to be the key: in the BRICs, Canadean data shows average pack size for shampoo packs to be just 9.38ml (sachets), compared to 132ml in western Europe, where rigid plastic bottles with flip/snap tops are the norm. A reflection, perhaps, of differences in disposable income levels, or storage condition requirements in warmer climates.

"This shows the detail that can be found within packaging just by looking at pack material," says Canadean.

Western Europe BRIC
Million pack units % Million pack units %

• Flexible packaging 4,676.74 25.1% 37,611.33 38.4%
• Glass 1,406.54 7.6% 6,639.20 6.8%
• Paper & board 646.55 3.5% 9,480.73 9.7%
• Rigid metal 1,744.37 9.4% 3,513.78 3.6%
• Rigid plastics 9,919.07 53.3% 37,618.77 38.4%
• Other 211.44 1.1% 2,993.68 3.1%

Source: Canadean Packaging Intelligence Center

Flexible packaging formats were not much in evidence at the February PCD Congress cosmetics packaging show in Paris. Stands were instead bedecked in an array of rigid plastic and glass containers, exhibiting varying levels of decoration ranging from the impressive luxury down to the entry level and plain.

Dispensers

Germany-based CosMed has developed a new self-sealing spout for aerosol shaving gel dispensers. With existing gel head systems, a problem can be created after use, if some of the gel escapes and "doesn't look so good", according to the company's sales manager Sascha Nuhanovic.

CosMed's patent solution is a mechanical insert that involves only one extra part - a small plastic 'pin' fitting comprising two components, which closes up the aperture in the dispensing nozzle after use.

"It is not on the market yet," says Nuhanovic, "but we are in discussions with potential buyers."

Dispensing systems producer Aptar Beauty + Home is launching the Mambo spray cap, targeting deodorant and hair styling applications, as well as home care. The all-plastic 3-piece caps come in 49mm and 52mm sizes - Mambo 49 and Mambo 52 - with a large, easy to use finger pad.

"Mambo is very sustainable because of its very reduced weight," says the company's director market development Europe, Sergi Berthet Colominas.

A hoodless design is said to avoid random activation, thanks to the deep position of the finger pad, while Mambo's modular system allows both stock designs and an extensive range of colour combinations for custom designs.

Due to be available in the second quarter of 2013, Mambo is suitable for necked-in tinplate cans and transfer aluminium cans, and suitable for all existing high speed capping lines.

Aptar has also launched the HiFlow high dose dispenser for applications in hair care, shaving and depilatories, baby care and personal cleansing. HiFlow is a 4cc dispenser with a metal free pathway in the dosage chamber, with a showerproof design optimised for a "very low level" of water ingress under streaming water.

With a 28.410 bottle neck size and customisable closure and actuator, HiFlow is available in a large viscosity range with the company's SafeSeal sealing in both up and down positions.

MeadWestVaco (MWV) used the occasion of the PCD Congress in Paris, early February, for the launch of its Aerosense trigger actuated aerosol sprayer "with a click", targeting body spray deodorant, hair spray and sun care applications.

"There is truly a lack of innovation in this sector," says MWV product manager Angela Garland. "Consumers are finding it difficult to understand why they should be spending more on premium products. The creation of value-added actuation is very big right now"
According to MWV, not only will the ergonomic design of the Aerosense trigger actuator help brands to distinguish themselves on the shelf, but it gives "effortless actuation and a continuous, even spray pattern". An integral locking feature also prevents the sprayer from being accidentally activated in a bag.

"We have conducted research that shows there needs to be something on pack that gives a reason to buy a premium product," says Garland. "Then a good experience of home usage will lead to a return purchase by the consumer."

Garland adds that the new Aerosense is expected to be in production before the end of 2013. Bespoke spray pattern designs are also available.

Working with a "top multinational customer", US-headquartered Rieke Dispensing has launched the RS3 Talon dispenser to specifically target the cosmetics industry. Featuring a streamlined, sleek look designed to complement the luxury and beauty image of products such as skincare and face-care creams and lotions, RS3 Talon is available as a standard design, the company says.
RS3 Talon can be specified in doses from 1ml to 3ml, fits a variety of standard closures, and is shippable in the locked down position. A variety of personalisation options are also available to maximise on-shelf stand out and consumer appeal, including smooth and ribbed finishes, a range of colours, printing of messages and logos, and metallisation.

"As well as helping products create fabulous shelf presence, the dispenser's consumer convenience features and reliable operation reinforce brand image and values during usage," says Mark Box, Rieke Dispensing European managing director.

The RS3 Talon is said to offer a number of functional benefits including ease of use with minimal operational effort, and accurate dosing. The durable non-metal construction is "100% shower proof and ensures consistency and reliability".

Plastics packaging component provider Global One-Pak (GOP) is targeting the personal care market with its new Infinity foaming pump, with the aim of widening the choice available in the market.

"We knew that the current foaming dispensing pack options in the market were limited, and a 'me too' effect had begun," says GOP director Clive Broadbent. "With the Infinity range, as its name suggests, there are limitless options for design."

With a specially designed base mode - available as 250ml or 500ml square, or 250ml cylindrical formats - Infinity's over cap and collar can be Pantone matched. With a closure size of 40mm, dosage output of 0.7ml and Twist 'n' Turn locking actuator, premium materials such as chrome can be incorporated to achieve premiumisation of products at "little more outlay".

Infinity was launched at the end of February 2013 at the Birmingham NEC Packaging Innovations show.

Tubes

Viva Packaging Europe is introducing 100% polypropylene injection moulded tubes with in-mould labelling into Europe "for the first time", having purchased patents from a company in Australia.

With its European base in Belgium, the Hong Kong-based company has traditionally been involved in moulding in sectors such as computer casings, but, says European sales manager Frank van den Kieboom: "This market is declining, so the company is looking into other sectors."

The production process for Viva's IML PP tubes calls for a printed polypropylene label to be inserted into a mould and "shot" with a proprietary polypropylene resin, so that the tube is fully formed and decorated in seconds, in one piece including the neck, shoulder and body.

Forming an integral part of the tube wall, the label and artwork are protected from damage during distribution and use, and full tube surface decoration allows photo-quality graphics on the entire tube with a seamless look.

In addition to removing the need for glue, the company says sustainability advantages include lower production energy requirements, as both tube and cap are produced and decorated with only one injection moulding procedure in the same plant, with "consistent quality, shorter leadtimes and lower cost".

Neopac The Tube is preparing for the launch of its Polaris tubes for skin care and colour cosmetics applications, expected to be "ready for serial production at the end of Q2", according to the company's project manager sales Jeannine Liesch.

First presented to the trade at Luxepack Monaco in October 2012, Polaris combines Neopac's Polyfoil tubes with an extensive range of Zamac (zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper) "cooling tip" applicators from partner firm HCT Packaging. Neopac says the Polaris tubes afford "optimal protection for highly complex products" such as creams, serums and liquid lipsticks, thanks to the barrier properties of its polyethylene and aluminium structure, which is then overextruded to help cover the seam and add the outer PE layer with metallic decorative effects.

The HCT cooling tips are said to ensure even application and gentle massaging effects on the skin. The 19mm diameter closures are available in screw or push-on formats, and the tube in 5-20ml sizes. Decoration options include offset or silkscreen print, embossing and hot stamping.

According to Liesch, Neopac has already received "confirmed interest from some important brands".

Fusion snaps to it

M&H Plastics has launched a new bottle shape, Fusion, with a new snap-on flip top cap described by the company as "revolutionary". The HDPE Fusion bottles are available in three sizes of 200ml, 250ml and 400ml, with the cap designed to fit all three sizes.

UK-based M&H describes the easy-grip Fusion bottle as having a "smooth slimline shape with a contemporary feel", with distinctive softly curved lines said to "add a premium look to any product" in a wide range of product sectors.

The snap-on flip top cap is available with the option of a coloured insert, giving the opportunity for "almost limitless" range differentiation at a "cost-effective price", through different combinations of coloured bottles, caps and cap inserts. The flat profile of the flip top cap also means the bottles can be inverted to use as tottles.