Sulapac and Schwan Cosmetics replace plastic cosmetic pencils with sawdust-based packaging

30 Aug 2022 --- To provide an alternative to traditional plastic makeup tools, Schwan Cosmetics and Sulapac are releasing cosmetic pencils enclosed in a plant-based barrel, branded the BetterBarrel. The pencils were developed in response to market research on the changing demands of Gen Z and Millennial cosmetic consumers, who “desired to care for and connect with nature.”

The two companies created lip liner and eyeliner pencils with environmentally sustainable barrel materials that can withstand the volatile makeup product held within the material. The beauty line “TheBetterBarrel” is pegged as satisfying consumer desire for green cosmetics without compromising on its performance, quality or style.

“To date, the beauty industry generally needs to use virgin plastic to encase makeup pencils. Since Schwan supplies over 700 makeup brands, this new product has a significant impact on reducing the waste of fossil virgin plastic,” Sandra Lossau, VP of global category management at Schwan Cosmetics, tells PersonalCareInsights.

“With this new technology, virgin fossil plastic is no longer mandatory to preserve volatile ingredients in a high-performing formula. As a result, brands can package their liners more sustainably, while maintaining the same formula.”

“The material allows for countless customization possibilities in terms of add-ons (for example, protectors and end-caps) decoration and the colors are highly customizable.”

The material used to make the pencil barrel, Sulapac Flow v1.8, was created using plant-based binders and sawdust from industrial side streams.

The pencil barrel is made with 72% bio-based material, side-stream wood chips and natural binders.“This joint cooperation wouldn’t have been possible without each other’s expertise. Schwan is a big international supplier to so many brands around the globe. As an important player in the industry, they have a real impact on the beauty ecosystem and the environment,” says Dr. Suvi Haimi, CEO and co-founder at Sulapac.

Bio-based material for pencil barrels
The COVID-19 pandemic, according to the companies, made it clear how important it is to get back in touch with nature, with younger consumer groups looking for more environmentally friendly solutions.

“Our clients have been increasingly demanding sustainable products in response, especially to their Gen Z and Millennial consumers. At the same time, our clients don’t want to lose out on selection, performance or the ability to design their products in alignment with their branding,” says Lossau.

“Our collaboration with Sulapac is a suitable match because they embody the values of preserving nature without sacrificing performance and flexibility in design.”

As a result of the collaboration, long-lasting, high-performance lip liners and eyeliners wrapped in innovative pencil barrels are now available to consumers. The ecological barrel was created due to the collaboration of Sulapac and Schwan Cosmetics.

The companies note the lipliner glides on smoothly, is lightweight, transfer-proof and lasts up to 13 hours.Both Schwan and Sulapac prioritize sustainability in their core values. Schwan has set lofty targets such as net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and a product line that contains 50% less virgin fossil plastic in primary packaging and 75% natural origin products by 2025.

The environmentally friendly and airtight packaging for sensitive ingredients is made with 72% bio-based material, side-stream wood chips and natural binders.

While environmentally sustainable materials have been used in beauty packaging recently, Sulapac’s plastic alternative is used in color cosmetic pencils for the first time.

Solutions for makeup powder, lip balm skincare
Sulapac has been active in cosmetic and beauty packaging. The company has worked on packaging for Chanel’s N°1 de Chanel beauty line and its makeup powder, as well as Lumene’s water-based skincare products – Nordic-C Glow Reveal moisturizer and Nordic Hydra Intense Hydration 24-hour moisturizer.

Sulapac also collaborated with Quadpack to create a 30 ml biodegradable container for deodorant cream made by the cosmetics firm i+m. The packaging provider partnered with Above & Beyond, a lip balm brand, to provide the brand with wood-based packaging.

By Nicole Kerr