Unilever reveals plans to launch “world first” paper-based laundry detergent bottle in Brazil
11 Jun 2021 --- Unilever is unveiling what it says is the world’s first paper-based laundry detergent bottle, marking another innovation in the company’s efforts to reduce its use of virgin plastic.
Set to debut in Brazil in 2022, the bottle is created with a new technology that Unilever plans on using for hair care bottles in the future.
The technology is developed as part of the Pulpex Consortium, a collaboration between Unilever, Diageo, Pilot Lite and other industry members. The material is made from pulp and is designed to be recycled in conventional waste streams.
“To tackle plastic waste, we need to rethink how we design and package products completely. This requires a drastic change that can only be achieved through industry-wide collaboration,” says Richard Slater, Unilever’s chief R&D officer.
“Innovating with alternative materials is a key part of our sustainable packaging strategy. It will play an important role in our commitment to halve our use of virgin plastic materials by 2025.”
Use of paper as a sustainable alternative to plastic is on the rise, according to Innova Market Insights.Innova Market Insights recently found that 46 percent of Brazilian consumers see cardboard-based products as performing “excellently” in terms of recyclability, and 40 percent see the material as “good” for product protection.
The global market researcher recently pegged “Fiber-based Frenzy” as a top trend for 2021, documenting the rising sophistication and availability of fiber-based solutions as viable alternatives to single-use plastics.
Pulpex technology
Once molded, a proprietary water-repellent coating is sprayed inside the bottles, enabling the paper-based packaging material to hold liquid products like laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioners. These liquids contain surfactants, fragrances and other active ingredients that normally make paper-packaging difficult.
Packaging liquid products in paper-based bottles will be a “huge achievement,” says the company, but before they hit the shelves, Unilever’s packaging scientists have to run a range of tests to see how the bottles perform in real-life situations.
Tests will determine whether they fulfill the company’s requirements in terms of durability, user experience and reduction of environmental impact.
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of products on the planet and are making purchasing choices based on sustainability factors, says Unilever.
Paper bottle boom
Unilever’s innovation joins a raft of paper-based bottle solutions disrupting traditional liquid bottle markets in the last year.
In February, the Paper Bottle Company began developing a paper bottle prototype in partnership with Coca-Cola. After a successful UK trial, Absolut Vodka began transitioning to paper bottles in collaboration with the company.
Last year, British multinational beverage alcohol company Diageo unveiled the “world’s first” 100 percent plastic-free, paper-based spirit bottle, which debuted with Scotch Whisky brand Johnnie Walker.
In March, GSK Consumer HealthCare joined the Pulpex paper bottle consortium to explore paper bottling for its wellness and oral health brands, including Centrum, Sensodyne and parodontax.
By Louis Gore-Langton
