The two partners hope to develop new sustainable cosmetics packaging concepts by combining Iggesund’s fiber-based material with Yangi’s dry forming technology. Refills, inserts and testers are just some of the applications under study.
Swedish paperboard producer Holmen Iggesund and packaging solutions company Yangi are focusing on replacing rigid plastics for beauty and cosmetics packaging in a collaboration spearheaded by tech accelerator FutureLab & Partners.
The long-term agreement will see Holmen Iggesund supply its fiber-based material and Yangi its dry forming technology, where cellulose fibers are used for 3D-formed packaging without dissolving them in water.
Alternatives to rigid plastic refills, inserts and testers
“Holmen Iggesund and Yangi are working together on the development of base materials for the dry forming technique,” Hein van den Reek, Director Future Packaging Holmen Iggesund, explains to Formes de Luxe. He says that cosmetics packaging solutions to emerge could include “refills, inserts, testers and travel packs.” He adds: We’ll see where the collaboration takes us. It’s innovation, you don’t always know where it ends up, that’s the beauty of it!”
“Together, we can further develop effective base materials for our dry forming technology and explore new barriers specifically addressing the challenges of beauty and cosmetic products, such as water and grease resistance,” notes Yangi Founder Anna Altner.
“The initial part of our collaboration will be more focused on research and development around materials and barriers that are suitable for the cosmetic industry and work best with our dry forming technology, working on concepts that can be actualized in partnership with brands,” she details. Small-scale production to prove the concepts will begin this year.
The dry-forming technology is said to present opportunities for more resource- and cost efficient packaging. “Cost effectiveness can be measured by the material or actual cost of a pack. But also by environmental benefits, or by taxes on the disposal of a pack. We believe we have enough arguments and benefits to compete with rigid plastics,” says van den Reek.
“ Yangi's dry forming technology delivers sustainable premium packaging solutions at a 30% lower cost than existing bio-based solutions and with no or limited increase of costs from rigid plastic solutions,” says Altner. She adds that the 3D-formed packaging can be produced directly from cellulose pulp “in one machine line with minimal water and less energy use”.
The two parties previously worked on the development of Conic, a new wood-based packaging concept unveiled in 2021. The skincare jar features a cone-shaped cellulose insert.
