3D Neopac boosts cosmetic tube portfolio with decoration and capacity investments

31 Mar 2022 --- Cosmetics and health care tube manufacturer 3D Neopac, part of Hoffmann Neopac Group in Switzerland, has strengthened the capabilities of its signature SpringTube, upgrading its on-site manufacturing technology with two additional flexo decoration stations, and introducing a new tube line for capacity extension.

3D Neopac wants to comply with India’s recently introduced national regulations after becoming an officially registered brand in the country.

The company will market various eco-design adaptations of its tube portfolio, including mono-material PE tubes and tubes with locally sourced post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. “3D Neopac’s laminating machine is capable of processing the PCR quality available in India,” it says. 

Notably, 3D Neopac has reduced the wall thickness of its COEX and SpringTube series by up to 23% in the sleeve (up to 35% in coextruded versions) while maintaining its barrier properties and esthetic aspects.

Furthermore, the company highlights its varied decorative options offer almost unlimited design and customization possibilities, eliminating the need for labels through low-migration, and eco-friendly direct printing on a mono-material structure.

3D Neopac is working to comply with India’s new packaging regulations.Extended Producer Responsibility
The infrastructure investment further bolsters the company’s metallic, flexo and digital decoration capabilities. Notably, due to COVID-19 protocols, the influx of ultra-modern equipment was deftly installed and validated by 3D Neopac’s internal personnel, with virtual assistance from its machinery partners. 

The result is a wider range of custom decoration, including pearl effects, ornate finishes and spot colors, plus a capacity extension with a new tube line of 50 MM tubes.

This year, India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a new Extended Producer Responsibility notification for plastic waste management that covers reuse, recycling and use of recycled plastic content, and end-of-life disposal by producers, importers and brand owners. 

For tubes, actionable items include reducing packaging weight (lightweighing), increasing recyclability (mono-material/PE), using recyclates, and replacing certain plastics with paper.

Customization potential 
Variable printing options allow products using SpringTube to be customized down to the unit level while its flat extruded design yields extremely precise layer thickness. In the near-term, 3D Neopac will introduce additional SpringTube components including a new lightweight, HDPE slim flip-top cap.

Late last year, 3D Neopac debuted SpringTube Kraft, a paper tube concept comprised of a paper/plastic compound. Despite being a concept whose collection mechanism has not yet been cleared in many countries, the fiber-based packaging it espouses is considered an attractive option to replace plastics where appropriate. 

Last month, Hoffmann Neopac’s polyfoil mono-material barrier tube was approved by the US Association of Plastic Recyclers as recyclable in existing waste streams. The tube reportedly reduces carbon footprint by 38% compared to traditional laminated tubes.

Edited  

By Natalie Schwertheim