Gerresheimer Creates a Surprise with this Delicately Tinted Opal Glass

27/10/06 It is called OpalNuance and promises to set strong new trends in the cosmetics packaging market. At Luxe Pack 2006 in Monaco, Gerresheimer for the first time presents to the cosmetics world a new form of opal glass with an intrinsic delicate tint creating a totally alluring aura. For creative design it opens up undreamt-of possibilities. A special display of the first flacons and pots – all still in prototype form – brings a future trend tangibly close (24 to 27 October, Halle Ravel, Stand RC 14).

In high-gloss or frosted form, with a smooth or textured surface, the shimmering creamy-coloured containers evoke dreams of ivory or a sandy sea shore and yet are made purely of glass, with all the properties which distinguish top-quality cosmetics packaging - the satisfying weight in the hand, the beautiful touch to the finger, the resonant sound. In addition to these emotional values, they offer the complete imperviousness of glass and full hygienic protection of the cosmetic product.

With opal glass in particular, there is another key factor. Simply because of its totally natural raw-material base, this glass with its delicately nuanced tint has the same opacity as the familiar white form – so provides built-in protection from light, making colour coating unnecessary in many cases. “Opal glass is certainly something special and, in the world of cosmetics, has stood in high regard for a considerable time, “ says Burkhard Lingenberg, Director of Corporate PR and Marketing for the Gerresheimer Group. “With OpalNuance we offer more than just a colour alternative to the usual white glass: we are confident that it creates a new market for opal glass.”

Regular customers for Gerresheimer’s opal glass include prestigious cosmetics manufacturers like L'Oréal, Beiersdorf, Procter & Gamble and Coty. Use of this glass type has in the past been limited to a relatively small – though important - range of personal-care and fragrance segments which often carefully avoid a ‘stereotype’ cosmetic image. In the meantime, however, the fresh snowy white appearance has become increasingly popular as an unmistakable brand signal and is therefore simply unbeatable.

Now the delicately tinted and superbly finished new variant speaks a totally different emotional language and therefore substantially expands the circle of potential customers. As the display at Luxe Pack shows, OpalNuance is the perfect packaging material – particularly in the select cosmetics sector - to set off not only exclusive perfumes but also creams and lotions. There are no limits to the creative imagination: the magically attractive new generation of opal glass allows every possible refinement in terms of shaping, finishing and printing.

Gerresheimer’s Belgian subsidiary Nouvelles Verreries de Momignies produces this glass and finishes it to meet every possible requirement. Here, as part of its comprehensive leadership in competence and technology, Gerresheimer operates the largest opal glass plant in the world. Well beyond the borders of Europe, Momignies is regarded as one of the top addresses for design and production of cosmetics packaging.