‘Open innovation’: Beiersdorf co-publishes 'standard’ on cosmetic grade recyclates

The skin care major teamed up with manufacturing major Werner & Mertz and R&D institute The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV) to publish the document, initially teaming up in July 2020 to kickstart research on the suitability and safety of recycled plastics in cosmetic packaging.

Findings were initially due to be published at the end of last year,​ but delays meant the findings had only now been released. The Cosmetics Packaging Guidance​​ was being made available to the public “for the good of the environment” ​and “in the spirit of the open innovation approach”,​ the three companies said. Findings would also be shared with industry consortium CosPaTox (Cosmetic Packaging Toxicology).

A ‘solid foundation’ for proper handling of recyclates in cosmetic packaging​

Immo Sander, head of packaging development at Wener & Mertz said: “We have created a solid foundation for the proper handling of recyclates in the future and have shown that conformity to standards for cosmetics packaging made of post-consumer recyclates can be achieved and will be ensured.”​

Michael Becker, head of global packaging development at Beiersdorf, said the guidance would help manufacturers and brands like Beiersdorf, and all supply chain stakeholders, advance sustainable packaging agendas over the coming years.

“Our ambition is to substantially increase the proportion of recyclates in our plastic packaging (…) With the jointly developed guidelines, we want to actively contribute to giving the recycling industry orientation and assistance with the urgently required additional capacity of high-quality plastic recyclates for the cosmetic industry,”​ Becker said.

Beiersdorf said the initial aim of the joint research had been to create an industry standard that overturned uncertainties in the market caused by a lack of defined conditions in which recycled material could be used for cosmetics packaging under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009​​.

By building an inventory of existing recyclates on the European market – existing recycling processes, available qualities and material properties – and comparing this with cosmetic packaging requirements under the EU Regulation, the document would be “a first industry-standard for cosmetic grade recycled plastic”​.

Beiersdorf said the research project and resulting guidance ultimately played into building circular business models for the beauty sector.

In April last year, the UK Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) also shared guidance on use of recycled materials in plastic packaging​ which also aimed to debunk regulatory and technical hurdles.

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