Albéa Group partners with Erpro, introduces 3D-printed mascara brush

15 Dec 2021 --- Albéa Group is showcasing its new 3D printing process for mascara brushes. The cosmetics packaging manufacturer says that 3D technology made by PolyJet has cut its design-to-production process down to only five weeks.

The time it takes to design the mascara brush prototype is now one week. The design-to-production time frame has been reduced to four weeks.

Albéa Group intends to expand its 3D printing services to other product categories in the future, having recently created a functional lipstick tube prototype with special molding.

The company is partnering with Erpro – a 3D printing company – for the service. The 3D printing services include bio-brushes, with plans to offer more sustainable products in the future. The group also uses 3D tech to create parts for assembly tools for the production line itself.

“We’ve been able to reduce our supply chain by removing the need to outsource prototypes and tools, resulting in significant efficiencies across the production process,” says Yann Crapet, project manager at Albéa’s Gennevilliers Innovation Centre.

Promoting 3D technology
Albéa Group is offering 3D printing workshops for a symbolic fee in the interests of promoting the tech. When partaking in the workshops, brands will follow the production process step-by-step and be allowed to test and validate their designs.

The company says 3D printing has allowed its team to be more creative and innovative.Participant brand representatives will be able to experience the innovative potential of 3D technology first hand. “As we can print nearly everything, the design options are endless, making the mascara brush absolutely unique for the customer,” says Laura Boroni, market manager at Albéa Bottanuco.

Albéa is not the only contender within the cosmetics industry to embrace 3D technology. Recently, BASF and Natural Machines partnered to create 3D-printed face masks. 

Expedited process
Albéa was driven to explore the potential of 3D printing out of a desire for greater flexibility in manufacturing. To suit this, the company invested in the Objet30 3D Printer. Later, Albéa invested in Connex3. The decision has given it the ability to print multi-material parts in a wide array of colors quickly. This allows them to provide quick, high-quality prototypes for clients. 

“The choice of colors and materials we can access now has taken us into unchartered territory in terms of what we can design and supply our customers,” says Crapet.

A faster production process also allows Albéa to be more creative in its packaging. Its team has since been able to quickly produce complex parts that require high precision, thanks to 3D printing technology.

“The positive impact additive manufacturing has had on our processes can’t be overstated – the numbers speak for themselves,” said Crapet. 

Edited by Olivia Nelson