Combating climate change and reducing the environmental impacts of packaging are high on the agenda for cosmetic brands who want to drive this change. Stora Enso aims to take the lead in supporting leading cosmetics brands in reaching their sustainability targets by co-developing climate-friendly packaging solutions that are both renewable and recyclable.

The body of the tube is made from a barrier-coated, grease-resistant paperboard by Stora Enso, which makes it suitable for the primary packaging of skin creams. Currently, making the body of the tube from paperboard reduces the use of plastic by 70% compared with a plastic tube. Stora Enso is also developing biocomposite materials to replace the plastic cap and shoulder of the tube in the future.

"We are seeing increasing demand in the cosmetics field for new innovative solutions made of renewable materials. This tube is a good example of how, together with our customers and their suppliers, we are driving innovations to create the packaging of the future. The paperboard tube will offer cosmetics brands who want to appeal to eco-conscious consumers a competitive new alternative," says Henna Paakkonen-Alvim, Vice President, Innovation, Stora Enso Consumer Board division.

For manufacturing of the tubes, Stora Enso cooperates with Aisa, a world-leading tube machinery manufacturer. The runnability of the board has been tested on Aisa's machinery to ensure flawless and efficient converting performance.

"Together with Stora Enso, we can be change agents and thereby push packaging innovation forward. With paperboard as a new, renewable material option to run on our tube machines, Aisa continues to serve the needs of the global packaging industry with cutting edge technologies," says Jacques Thomasset, R&D Director at Aisa.