Lindal Group advances aerosol sprays for circular economy and consumer convenience
02 Dec 2022 --- Lindal Group is experimenting with optimized tests for aerosol sprays while generating technology to make its products more environmentally friendly using post-consumer recycled (PCR) material.
According to a UK Resource Futures survey, despite 95% of councils offering curbside recycling for aerosols, only 46% are correctly separated for recycling by consumers.
The Lindal Group claims to have earned a reputation as a world leader in aerosol packaging technology by collaborating with multinational organizations across diverse sectors.
“We are establishing our shared sense of purpose. Our experience working with international organizations has taught us that the diversity and openness of our combined teams equate to the results we all want,” says Pierre-Louis Sigaut, head of sales at Lindal France.
Collaborators
The company has worked within broad sectors in packaging, including cosmetics, household, pharmaceuticals, food and technical industries. Coty is a group member with a portfolio of brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, skin and body care. Other brands it has focused on are Adidas, Rimmel and Max Factor.
Lindal works with specific spray tests to ensure optimized products.
“Collaborating with companies like Coty not only allows us to work on some innovative projects, but it allows us to demonstrate the full extent of our capabilities that support greater consistency and success in product development,” says Sigaut.
The Global Innovation Center has supported Lindal on several projects, relaying the latest advancements in aerosol dispensing and sustainability technologies.
Spray testing
When Lindal develops a new product, the actuator and valve must be sampled. For the best results, the company recommends using an aerosol can mounting cup and conducting gasket swell tests.
“To meet the needs of our customers, a key factor is the thorough investigation of functionality and efficiency of the delivery specification of the valve,” says Nicolas Hurson, Coty R&D senior manager of packaging development.
Another essential test is analyzing spray performance for the aerosol. Lindal states that many of its customers do not have the facilities to perform these tests in-house. To solve this, they assist with technical knowledge to provide spray performance insights.
One of the tests includes a flow rate test that measures the spray to ensure the product emits the correct particle size. The technology captures the behavior of the spray at high speeds, providing detailed information on the spray’s angle, diameter and length.
Another tool to detect the quality of a spray is the Malvern Panalytical’s Spraytec laser. It identifies particle sizes, spray quantity dispensed in grams and the lifetime performance of a can using laser diffraction.
Customers of Lindal gave positive feedback on its 3D Aerosol Configurator system.
Sustainable sprays
To remain up to date with environmentally sustainable trends across all packaging sectors, Lindal offers compressed air solutions and options for PCR usage. For example, the company has a two-piece actuator platform named the Mini Engine technology. The product has an outer body made from 100% PCR with an internal mini engine for optimal spray performance.
According to RecycleNow, around 60% of aerosols are made from tinplated steel and approximately 40% are made from aluminum – both are recyclable. However, consumers must ensure cans are empty before recycling and avoid piercing, crushing or flattening the cans or detaching any loose or easily removable parts, such as the lid.
3D product creator
Lindal offers an online 3D Aerosol Configurator. The program gives partners access to aerosol design and editing tools to create 3D packaging from its research and marketing departments.
The configurator allows customers to design their ideal can and gives Lindal insights into how their collaborators envision their products. From this, Lindal can gain more time for artwork experimentation in-house based on what they collect from their customers’ designs.
“Our experience with the 3D Aerosol Configurator has been positive, and we hope that Lindal’s overall dispensing expertise will continue to be a part of our future product development,” concludes Hurson.
By Sabine Waldeck
