Exhibitors at sustainable luxury packaging trade show Edition Spéciale by LUXE PACK this week praised the high caliber of visitors and the quality of business exchanges. The show, which welcomed 2,081 visitors, a 2.7% increase on last year, took place at Paris’ Carreau du Temple on May 31st and June 1st. Luxe Packaging Insight was on the ground; read on for a selection of packaging innovations at the show.
Closures
Estal launched Corkcoal at the show, a stopper that blends cork with charcoal. The inclusion of around 30% activated charcoal in the stopper enables odors and flavors to be neutralized, meaning that the cork is washed fewer times during the production process. It is also said to make the stopper biodegrade more quickly. Corkcoal comes in three models: Sharp, Barrel and Cornice, in diameters of 18.5mm and 21.5mm.
Caps and closures specialist Les Bouchages Delage showed wood (oak, beech or ash) closures that are tinted using what is described as a chemical-free, thermal process. It also showed a cap weighted with densified plastic rather than zamak, and plastic tops where the PE or PP is combined with natural elements such as wood, oyster shells or vine shoots. The plastic content can vary between 40% and 80%.
New materials/Textiles
Finnish fiber solutions company Ahlstrom-Munksjö, a first-time exhibitor, presented Health-Gard, its 100% cellulose parchment for cosmetics packaging applications. “With our presence at the show, we’re looking to expand our solution to the cosmetics industry. Our key markets up to now have been cooking and baking and furniture laminates, among others,” explained Véronique Van Zyl, Head of Marketing and Communications . With its grease-resistant barrier properties, the parchment—a result of a production process that “gels” the fibers together—is home compostable and recyclable when laminated to cardboard. In the cosmetics space, the solution is meant to replace PE-type liners for solid formulas, including lip balm and solid hair conditioner. Health-Gard can be molded and laminated to cardboard and comes in thickness options ranging from 41 to 150g/m2 and more if laminated.
French flocking specialist Flock1 presented Velvet ECR, a range of 100% cellulose cardboard material with a velvety texture. Certified as recyclable in the paper stream by French entity CTP, the material combines FSC certified cardboard, biosourced adhesive and a flocking process that is water- and solvent-free. Velvet ECR can be used for folding boxes or labels and can be hot-stamped, with different patterns, colors and partial flocking also an option.
French textile specialist Neyret showcased three new additions to its offer of ribbons: those made from recycled cotton, recycled cork and nettles. The recycled cotton variant comes from used clothing collection networks or fabric production scraps.
Paper/Paperboard/Cardboard
Crush, the fine paper collection integrating plant-based by-products (cocoa, corn, citrus…), from Italian papermaker Favini has launched a new reference, Crush Coconut. This black paper comprises 15% coconut shell, a by-product of the agricultural mulching process. The material contains less than 1% carbon, says the supplier, making it recyclable in Europe. In addition to the carbon content, the deep black shade comes from “biochar”, or burnt coconut shell, that is a natural pigment. Coconut Crush comes in grammage ranging from 90 to 350gsm.
One of the winning projects from packaging and visual merchandising specialist Gainerie 91’s annual design contest was in the spotlight at the show. Guillaume Brissot, from Lyon’s Ecole de Condé, won first prize in the 2021 edition for Galets de Papier (paper pebbles), an insert solution made of paper, and therefore recyclable. “This innovation is graphic, harmonious and eco-designed, and is also advantageous from a cost perspective,” explains the French supplier.
Jung presented its 100% recycled 20gsm white tissue paper that can be flexo or screenprinted in up to eight colors. Said to have pristine whiteness, the supplier says that the paper “allows for outstanding print quality on recycled paper, which has not been possible until now”. Previously, Jung used 75% recycled and 25% virgin fibers in its tissue paper. It has increased the percentage of recycled raw papers in its total paper consumption from 17% in 2017 to more than 63% in 2021.
Arjowiggins has added to its Curious Collection Translucents range with Extra Black. The matte black creative paper is described as intense and glassy, with a warm, velvet touch. The paper has a unique sound when handled; the papermaker describes it as a “gentle crack”.
Papermaker Gmund showed new additions to its paper range, including Gmund Heidi, a 100% recycled, textured paper ideal for hot-foil stamping or screenprinting. Other references on show included the supplier’s Gmund Hanf hemp paper.
Glass
Heinz Glas, which is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, showed The Pure Answer, a lightweighted PCR glass flacon pad-printed with plastic-free, paper-based Nature Glitter. The screw neck enables the bottle to be refilled or the pump removed and components separated for recycling. The glassmaker also presented Senoglass Care Coating developed in partnership with German lacquer manufacturer Weilburger. The water-based, invisible protective shield is said to be resistant to abrasion, water and alcohol. It can also be integrated with a lacquer for a colored effect.
Bormioli Luigi added 200ml and 250ml formats to its Ecoline collection of lightweighted glass bottles. “Consumers are asking for larger size bottles, particularly for soap or haircare products,” the Italian glassmaker says, adding that its Safe Glass lacquer can be applied to the bottles to protect against breakage in a bathroom setting. The glassmaker also highlighted new, screw-neck fragrance bottles in the shape of Calypso, Neptune and Ulysse. Thick bottomed, curved or cubic, each is available in 50ml or 100ml. The new Naxos, Aphrodite, and Thalassa cosmetics jars and pots, ranging from 15ml to 150ml depending on the model, were also on show.
Secondary packaging
Chocopost is Les Editions du Chocolat’s latest patentented packaging solution. Designed to ship individual bars of chocolate, the pack is made entirely of cardboard, either double- or triple-fluted, making it both isothermic and entirely recyclable. To open, the consumer simply snaps a perforated tab on the surface of the pack. In terms of decoration, the pack can be digitally printed or hot-stamped. Chocopost is less than 3cm thick, meaning it can be posted at letter rate (in France). Les Editions du Chocolate manufactures exclusively in France, at its site in Brittany.
Procos presented its E-com Pop-up Box, an e-commerce shipping box with a pop-up function designed to enhance the consumer unboxing experience. The promotional sheet inside lifts up to reveal a tray with tencel ribbon to hold the product in place. The tray can be adapted to the size of the product by adjusting the positioning of the notches through which the ribbon is threaded. Two adhesive bands enable the box to be sealed first for delivery, and for a second time in the event the consumer wishes to return the item.
MPO showcased coffrets where transparent paper replaces traditional plastic windows and can also be used as a sheath. The paper, which is complex to shape as it requires special creases, can combine different levels of transparency and motifs for a decorative effect. MPO also presented lighter-weight secondary packaging. Compared to standard rigid board, the new generation coffret made using fluted cardboard is 30% lighter for the same price point, while the variant in lightweighted cardboard (40% lighter) is 10-15% less expensive but has a slight yellow tinge.
On show at Cosfibel was a recyclable paper box with patented insert. Molded pulp was used to create floral motifs on the lid, while cardboard combines with metallic paper for the plate meant to feature the brand name. Different colors and motifs are possible, says the supplier, who also showed laser-cut cardboard flowers to accessorize its coffrets.
First-time exhibitor Premier Packaging showed Paperlock, a plastic-free coated paper pouch that is fully recyclable and can be printed in up to 10 colors. A grease barrier and oxygen barrier are currently in development. Luxury cosmetics or fine foods could be a good fit for the patent-pending, heat-sealable pouch, the company says. It comes in clear, white and brown, and products can be showcased through the pack thanks to a mesh window created from plant fibers.
Créanog won the Green Award at the show for its wooden coffret that combines hot-stamping and embossing. The awards were once again sponsored by Infinity Global.
