At All4Pack Emballage Paris, more than 1000 exhibitors and brands presented tangible solutions and new ideas that mirrored the commitment of the entire industry to an eco-friendly future. Trendspotter Dominique Huret of Cape Decision was on the ground for PKN.
Paper-based protective mailer
The new protective mailers, created jointly by Mondi and Amazon, have won several awards in recent months. The recyclable paper-padded envelope for e-commerce deliveries eliminates the need for plastic-based bubble-wrap with its shock-absorbent, open-flute, entirely paper-based, protective padding. To address customers' desire for right-sized, easily recyclable packaging that minimises waste and ensures damage-free delivery, the Mondi eCommerce team worked with Amazon’s team of engineers and packaging scientists to develop sustainable packaging that provides protection equivalent to that of traditional bubble-wrap plastic-padded envelopes. The solution offers good printability, standard and customisable sizes, optimising material usage and lower shipping costs. The new recyclable Amazon packaging has been landing on doorsteps since September.
Promising closed loop refill system
Swedish technology start-up Meadow is bringing the Daisy Top Refill System to the beauty and personal care market. The system proposes the use of an aluminium beverage can as a refill into a polymer reusable dispenser, which can be designed by brands when licensing the technology. Named Kapsul, the can end bears a new branded pattern, while the dispenser pierces the can for delivering products. A modest retrofit is needed on most canning lines, as the design is similar to that of a beverage can. It’s still a concept at this stage, with pending IP on the ‘end’ of the alu can, but it shows promise. Among others, Ball Packaging has invested as a shareholder in this start-up.
Blister pack breakthrough
Aluflexpack is a Swiss manufacturer of premium flexible packaging and barrier solutions for coffee and tea, pharmaceuticals, pet food, and confectionery. It has developed 4∞ Form, a blister pack made entirely of lacquered aluminium. The product is intended primarily for the pharmaceutical industry, where it can replace existing multilayer solutions such as OPA/AL/PVC (cold form) or PVC/PVDC (thermoform) used in the packaging of tablets and capsules, but it could also find application in a wider context. 4∞ Form delivers the special properties of aluminium: infinitely recyclable without losing its quality, and barrier properties too. The latter enables a long shelf life for the product. Lightweight aluminium is resistant to both high and low temperatures and provides 100 per cent protection against moisture, light, oxygen, and other gases, as well as bacteria and microorganisms.
Yves Rocher’s rPET refill
French preforms expert, SGT has partnered with French personal care brand Yves Rocher to design an eco-refill preform for its new range of shower gels. With a 21/16 neck, the preform is ultra-lightweight at only 10 grams. Made from 90 per cent recycled plastic sourced from certified OBP (ocean-bound plastic) coastal areas, this preform is fully recyclable. Once blown, the preform transforms into a compact and practical 400 ml eco-refill. According to SGT, this format uses four times less plastic than a traditional bottle of the same capacity. For the moment the material is not certified for food contact.
Eco sleeve makes fashion statement
Branded water Evian Coperni is the result of a collaboration between shrink sleeve specialist Sleever and fashion brand Coperni. This high-end brand, founded in 2013 by French designers Arnaud Vaillant and Sebastien, is known for its modern, innovative, and minimalist designs and unique approach to luxury fashion. Aligned with this, the Evian Coperni bottle features an adhesive-free sleeve label, making it 100 per cent recyclable and preserving the glass integrity for reuse or recycling. The design uses advanced rotogravure printing techniques. The label and the bottle’s aesthetic reflect the luxury and environmental consciousness of the brand, offering a new benchmark for sustainable packaging in the bottled water industry. The design features a captivating constellation motif, symbolising the purity of Evian Les Bains, appealing to a younger, eco-conscious audience. It was recognised Best of Show at the AWA Sleeve Labels Awards 2024.
Sealed in one go
Another innovation from Sleever is SeelCap ONEGO, a biodegradable, home-compostable tamper-evident shrink sleeve developed through a partnership between Sleever and Carbios. Designed for the luxury market, it addresses the challenges of securing glass packaging with wooden cap tops and cork bodies. The sleeve, made from PLA, incorporates Carbios Active, which enables it to fully disintegrate in composting conditions at room temperature within six months. The SeelCap ONEGO reduces carbon footprint by up to 70 per cent compared to conventional shrink capsules. It integrates tamper-evidence and easy opening in one go, with a gripping tab for convenience. The sleeve is compatible with existing packaging lines and shrink equipment, with speeds ranging from 60 to 24,000 bottles per hour. It is made in France and is poised to receive TÜV Austria’s ‘OK Compost HOME’ certification.
PE wrap is Reborn
French industrial leader in the recycling and transformation of PE packaging, Reborn showcased its innovative 100 per cent PE shrink film with an integrated handle. The entire package is mono-material, thus fully recyclable as rPE. Two handling systems are available for integrating the handle into the shrink film. The first involves a film roll system where the handle-width roll is centrally positioned on the shrink film, optimised for use on Polypack machines. The second option uses a cutting system that adapts to any wrapping equipment by creating a strip from a wider film web. This strip is placed and processed into the shrink film, forming a durable handle between the bottles and packaging. A pre-cut at the tunnel exit further enhances consumer usability, making the system efficient for production lines while supporting market differentiation.
In-mould label innovation
French company Leygatech, in collaboration with Propyplast acquired last May, has introduced the IML LMG CleanLoop solution. Rigid PP containers and tubes with printed surfaces often pose challenges in recycling due to the presence of inks and barrier components. The CleanLoop IML label addresses this issue by allowing the printed layer to be removed during the mechanical recycling process, specifically during the grinding and elutriation stages. The ultra-thin printed layer is separated from the bulk resin, eliminating contaminants such as ink, varnish, and barrier materials. The resulting recycled resin is pure, uncontaminated PP, comparable to virgin material and suitable for reuse in applications requiring food-grade approval. For recyclers, this produces a high-quality natural regrind. The Leygatech label has been approved by RecyClass. It is fully compatible with PP recycling systems.
Washable straw is eco on the go
With the mission ‘eco on the go’, Lexngo was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Hong Kong. The company showcased its range of silicone-based products for two distinct product lines. Lexliving targets the home, kitchen sectors, while Lexnfant focuses on products for babies, and children. The reusable straws were selected for their innovative virtues. EU Food contact approved, the straws are cut in the middle to be opened at 360 °. They are made of 100 per cent silicone, can be washed up to 220 °C and resistant to -40°C. Cathay Pacific and Starbucks Asia are among the satisfied customers. European markets are the company’s next targets.
