Sustainable packaging innovations in Paris, at LuxePack

We are back in Paris this week for another trade show. In the run before the Olympics, all events are happening earlier than usual in the French capital. This time LuxePack Edition Spéciale who received 100 exhibitors in the Carreau du Temple for the last year, before moving to Carrousel du Louvre for the 2025 edition (July 1st and 2nd 25)

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS INNOVATIONS

We went to the materials start-up corner where we met amazing innovators and discovered some new born.

Hydrosoluble Polymer

Lactips has been developing, producing, and commercialising plastic-free plastic since 2014. This natural polymer, named CareTips®, is 100% bio-based, completely biodegradable in all environments, and water-soluble.

The biopolymer is made from casein, a byproduct of the dairy industry (casein is usually used in glue and paint for its natural and biodegradable properties).

Casein is transformed into pellets for moulding of solid packaging, or hydrosoluble film for labels and other biodegradable applications (blow extrusion), to offer sellability in paper packaging or other film packaging in food and beauty products.

For plasturgy, the product is manufactured into application where natural degradation must occur overtime. It is combined to a biopolymer to extend the lifetime before degradation. It can be used in agriculture to hold crops in place for one season before it degrades naturally.

“ A substitute material for water-soluble plastics. Lactips material is soluble. Its formulation makes it water-soluble at both high and low temperatures. Numerous tests have shown that it does not leave behind any residue after dissolving, which makes it perfect for applications such as detergent packaging, for example. It is also recognised as being biodegradable in marine environments, which means that it won’t leave any toxic particles in the ocean.” explained Lactips.  

A water resistant barrier

Cilkoa  treats the paper with a fine ceramic coating and protects it from water, oxygen and water vapour. It is a water resistance & high barrier to water vapour and oxygen. Treated materials are up to 99,9% cellulose and 0% plastic.

Cilkoa provides high end barrier properties with a cost effective process, thanks to an offline patented technology that creates an ultra-thin, homogeneous and flawless alumina film. The start-up has developed a compact process that can work in just a few hours, and can work on very large surfaces of materials.

The process (coming from micro-electronics) works as a gas form that creates an imperceptible barrier. It penetrates the fibres without creating a coating, film or chemical residue, thus not affecting the end of life of the treated packaging. Materials will remain as recyclable, compostable and naturally degradable as pure cellulosic materials are.

A seaweed packaging

Flexsea is a sustainable, compostable seaweed-derived material that replaces flexible plastic packaging seamlessly. It is a biopolymer that can be integrated into ingredients  for cosmetics formula (thickener, emollient, etc.) or packaging.

The start-up is using waste from seaweed to feed bacteria and create biopolymers. Founded in London, in 2021, the company is focussing on single-use plastic creating a film made from seaweed that is edible, home-compostable and entirely recyclable. If it finds itself back in the ocean, it can be safely eaten by sea life. FlexSea is cited as being best suited to the storage of dry goods. Semi-dry goods can be accounted for as well. The film is printable.

This material is processable on standard industrial equipment such as printing lines, sealing machines and vertical/horizontal fold-fill-seal lines. FlexSea can be used for anhydrous cosmetics such as soap bars, cosmetic powders and other sustainable dry products. It can also be applied to lipid-based products such as face and essential oils, refill pouches or tester sachets.” explains FlexSea.

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING INNOVATIONS

On the finished product side, interesting solutions caught our eye.

Hyper Design / Hyper Luxury Pieces

Essentia Beauty has released Metamorphosis, a new decoration technique that brings a high luxury finish and design to packaging. It creates a layer on existing packaging in any surface (glass, aluminium, plastics, etc) to magnify the piece in order to bring hyper luxury in the realm of refillable beauty for instance. 

With the move towards sustainability into refillability, we noticed a transformation of packaging from transportation devices to value objects that become keep-sake pieces. Bringing desirability into the mix with sustainability. 

The decoration does not require special moulding or manufacturing, offering a flexible MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity). 

A resistant and biodegradable foam made from wood

Woamy (Finnish start-up) has developed a foam made from wood using a specific patented extrusion. The technology allows bubbles in the foam to remain elongated giving sturdiness to the foam mimicking the directional strength of wood while being lightweight in nature.

It offers a ​​premium touch and feels thanks to a dust-free and soft biofoam that creates scratch protection. With the post processing a premium finishing can be added for a luxurious touch.

Paper made from multi-sources

Geapack, an Italian packaging paper converter, has developed paper made from wool, hemp, coton, waste fibres, or even grass and other natural materials to offer natural alternatives in addition to wood for secondary packaging using cardboard.