PACKAGING INNOVATIONS2011

Press releases

• Ecosolution™, the first green airless dispensing system Promens introduces Ecosolution™, the first green airless dispensing system When implementing the Green Cube Program at the beginning of 2009, Promens asserted its commitment to sustainability. Promens is continually striving to create new packaging that respects the environment, and integrates sustainability in product design and development. Weight reduction, use of recycled materials and CO2 emission reductions are notions that Promens people keep in mind when developing tomorrow’s packaging which is based on three main concepts: dispensing, sterility and airless. In this context, Promens launches Ecosolution™, the first ecological airless dispensing system. After the launch of AirFree® in 2003, Promens once again has created a revolution in the airless market. Using the AirFree® technology, Ecosolution™ is protected by three patents and is made up of an airless bottle and an airless dispensing system with a reduced number of parts. Ecosolution™ combines all the advantages of airless - including protection of the formula - and ecology: it takes care of the product while taking care of the planet. Ecosolution™: a meaningful name The Ecosolution™ name is the mix of two meaningful words: ECOLOGY and SOLUTION. Ecosolution™ is an ECOlogical system. It is 100% plastic (100% polyolefin) and therefore is 100% recyclable. It does not contain any metal or glass part, or any non recyclable plastic. The French organisation COTREP (Plastic Packaging Recycling Technical Committee) assessed the recyclability of AirFree® bottles in the HD-PE recycled bottles stream. The Ecosolution™ system is not required to be disassembled since all parts of both the bottle and the dispensing system are recyclable. Furthermore, the Ecosolution™ system has been developed in accordance with the ECO-conception process: the weight of each part has been optimised, all raw materials used are standard materials, and Promens chose only local suppliers (within a 200 km radius) in order to minimize people and material transportation. Thanks to its dispensing system made of 4 parts only, Ecosolution™ contributes to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% (compared to a classic piston-based airless dispenser made of 12 parts). Ecosolution™ is the most compact airless packaging (ratio between formula volume and packaging volume): compared to a piston-based airless dispenser, Ecosolution™ enables the reduction of packaging volume by 30%. At last, thanks to the AirFree® technology, the Ecosolution™ multi-layer co-extruded bottle can be produced in recycled raw material (Post Consumer Recycled HDPE). Therefore, the external layer is totally made of recycled PE and represents 85% of the total raw material weight of the bottle, while the internal multi-layers pouch that is in contact with the formula, is made from virgin PE. The pouch contains EVOH, a barrier material that blocks all odor migration and guarantees the integrity of the formula. Women and consumers’ expectations have changed over the decades. Today, they want simple but functional products and they want to buy sustainable products that preserve the environment. Ecosolution™ meets these expectations: it is ecological and enables to reduce preservatives in the formula (the EVOH layer in the pouch has barrier properties and protects the formula from oxygen during the entire time the product is used). Ecosolution™ is THE ECOlogical soLUTION to package cosmetic products. Design and functioning Ecosolution™ is available with two different actuators: short or long, in order to answer all of the market needs. The bottle range is available in 5 sizes: 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 400 ml and 500 ml. “Ecosolution™ combines smoothness, ergonomics and comfort of use. The bottle diameter has been studied for perfect handling and thanks to its easy lockable option, it can be carried safely”, says Isabelle Orhan, Innovation & Marketing Director. Ecosolution™ dispenses a dose of 1.5 ml and is adapted for all formulations (from the most liquid products to the most viscous creams). With its cylindrical shape, Ecosolution™ is the ideal packaging for facial care, body care, hair care, sun care, baby care and men care products. Promens Personal & Healthcare Packaging Promens Personal & Healthcare Packaging is a European major player in developing and producing plastic packaging dedicated to luxury, personal care, OTC and pharmaceutical markets. Promens offers a large range of innovative packaging: bottles, jars and systems. Promens Personal & Healthcare Packaging totalises 120 million Euros revenue and merges 11 production plants: 9 in Western Europe and 2 in Eastern Europe.