Interdisciplinary collaboration is the future for packaging

The meeting held in Paris on the 22 and 23 January was attended by over 1,200 participants with over 60 exhibitors, according to organisers Oriex.

Amongst this year's highlights were a number of leading packaging firms showcasing their latest innovations, a series of themed lectures and the PCD awards for technological innovation.

Technological transfer fosters innovation A major theme of the meeting was the importance of technological transfer both within and between sectors and its potential to foster innovation.

"Many major innovations in the cosmetics and perfumes sector spring from the application of technologies initially developed in adjacent fields " said Hervé Bouix from the Estée Lauder Companies.

Gerald Martines from RPC Beauté provided the example of the potential electro-plating, long used in the car industry, has on the world of cosmetics and perfume packaging.

"We became interested in this decoration on plastics process long used in the car industry to develop original hues and finishes more in keeping with the universe of cosmetics and perfumes, in an environmentally friendly approach," he said.

Lorenzo Quarnata from Sandvik similarly stressed the importance of the transfer of technologies between fields, saying that although it was not always an easy approach to implement it was 'absolutely necessary' to boost innovation.

A further innovation showcased in Paris was Alcan's solution to quickly and easily develop a plastic mascara brush that can be ready for testing two weeks after the first drawing as opposed to the current two months.

Rewarding technological advances The PCD awards for technological innovation were distributed on Wednesday in an attempt to value the technological developments that 'are so often unnoticed by the consumer'.

The awards divide into a number of categories and winners are chosen by a panel of packaging experts, beauty journalists and representatives of leading authorities in perfumes and cosmetics.

Highlights of the awards include Yves Saint Laurent's Perfect Touch foundation cream that won best make-up prize in the face category and Estée Lauder Companies' Lash XL mascara that took home the prize in the eye category.

The PCD hair care prize went to L'Oréal Professional for the Tec Play Ball finishing cream, and it was Fendi who received the women's perfume prize for the Palazzo scent.

The 2008 selection was a particularly high standard leading the panel to award three extra special distinctions along with the seven awards, explained YSL Beauté's Charles Pileur, member of the PCD awards jury.

As of 2009 the PCD show will occur annually - rather than once every two years - which according to Pileur is perfectly in keeping with the keen pace of packaging innovation.