From novel rigid boxes and recyclable monodose packs to paper made of plant-based by-products, there have been no shortage of paper and cardboard innovations presented at various packaging trade shows over recent months. Read on for Luxe Packaging Insight's highlighted selection.
Livcer has launched its very first offer of recyclable monodose packs made of a paper complex. Featuring an 80% paper casing and 70% paper lid, the opaque single-dose pack (pictured) is suited to make-up and skincare formulas thanks to a thin PE barrier layer. Other advances include formats integrating up to 50% recycled PET. Research at the French company on bio-sourced materials is also underway.
Crush, the fine paper collection integrating plant-based by-products (cocoa, corn, citrus…), from Italian papermaker Favini has expanded with 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, which is a natural pigment. Coconut Crush comes in grammage ranging from 90 to 350gsm.
Jung’s 100% recycled 20gsm white tissue paper can be flexo- or screenprinted in up to eight colors. Touted as having 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.
Pusterla 1880 teamed up with fellow Italian supplier Lumson to create Xpaper, an airless pack housed in a cylindrical cardboard tube. Easily separated for recycling, the two components fit together mechanically with no need for the addition of glue. “The creation of innovative eco-designed packaging can be accelerated by combining different areas of expertise,” Pusterla 1880 CEO Roberto Marini told Luxe Packaging Insight. “In this case, our mastery of secondary packaging has partnered with a leader in airless technology.” Xpaper’s outer shell allows for numerous decoration options. The product is entirely made in Italy.
Procos’ E-com Pop-up Box is 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.
Premier Packaging's Paperlock is 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.
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.
The Dual Flat-Fold CI Rigidbox from Corporate Image is delivered flat and offers optimized surface printing (including the interior sides of the box) for customer messaging. While multiple combinations of materials and decoration techniques are possible, a box showed at Edition Spéciale by LUXE PACK was made from Eska’s PCW Black Board sheathed in LBS’ Sapia Ocean (recovered) Fabric and lined with Winter & Company’s recyclable Corvon Pure Mano soft-touch material. The box is UV printed.
Balance Inc’s Hexagonal Roll-Up is designed for a novel unveiling experience. The rigid base combines with carton columns, a die cut sleeve/lid and a tab closure. Custom textures, effects and special finishes can be used to decorate the pack.
IPL Packaging’s wrist-watch box packaging designs focus on sustainability. The rigid board base of the packs is wrapped in various materials: wood-free paper, stone paper made from 80% limestone and 20% HDPE, and lamination-free bamboo paper. Inner fitment materials include cork, biofoam, PET felt and molded pulp. Printed with soy- and water-based inks, the packs are decorated with emboss, deboss, or biodegradable foil detailing.
