Sulapac and Manik Skincare unveil eco-packaged vegan tattoo care line

05 Nov 2021 --- German indie brand Manik Skincare is launching a vegan tattoo aftercare range using Sulapac’s environmentally sustainable packaging. The move comes as a rising wave of tattoo enthusiasts – especially millennials and Gen Z – demand eco-conscious product offerings.

“The material of the packaging mimics the beauty, usability and circularity of nature: just like a piece of wood, jars made of Sulapac’s material biodegrade without leaving behind permanent microplastics. Furthermore, the packaging material is industrially compostable (EN 13432). Also, even if a jar made of Sulapac’s material ended up in a landfill or in nature due to unfortunate misuse, Sulapac has tested that it biodegrades also in an open environment in the sense that it doesn't leave permanent microplastics or other toxic residues behind,” a Sulapac spokesperson tells PersonalCareInsights.

In addition, Sulapac’s material combines brand appeal and functionality. The jar feels and sounds like ceramic and meets the high demands of luxury brands. The material also protects the sensitive cosmetics products inside – just as efficiently as packaging made of conventional plastic, the spokesperson explains.

“[Environmental] sustainability is one of the most important criteria in our product development, from the raw materials to the packaging,” says co-founder Manou Rahner.

“The real value of our products lies not only in the benefits for the user but also in avoiding any harm to the environment. Ecology before economy, environmental protection before profit – that is our mantra. When we found Sulapac, we didn’t have to consider other packaging options – it was a good match.”

New era in tattoo culture
Manik Skincare was founded as a side project by Hamburg-based visual design and branding entrepreneurs Manou and Mik Rahner, and Manuel Camacho.

“It is developed for people with strong environmental and self-care values,” the founders say.

The Herbal Tattoo Series products biodegrade without leaving permanent microplastics behind.From florals, mandalas, elegant fine line tattoos and vegan ink, tattoo culture is undergoing a strong shift away from the traditional imagery – often associated with masculine subcultures, such as biker gangs, the brand says.

Also working as a tattoo artist, Mik Rahner wanted to offer his clients high-quality aftercare products, but nothing on the market was both effective, organic and sustainably packaged.

With vegan cosmetics strongly on the rise, there was a gap in the market for a newtattoo aftercare product.

“Regular aftercare products are okay but did not truly meet the criteria I had in mind. We sat down to put together the concept of Manik, and then we began to work on recipes,” says Mik Rahner.

“It took us two years to develop the two vegan products – the balm and the soap, using selected medicinal herbs and plant oils.”

Marked by sustainability
The packaging also meets Manik’s strict requirements for eco-friendliness and recyclability, which means fossil fuel-based plastics were not an option.

For its Herbal Tattoo Series products, the brand chose industrially compostable Sulapac Nordic Collection by Quadpack. Sulapac’s packaging material is made from FSC-certified wood chips from industrial waste streams and plant-based materials.

The brand’s logo and a botanical design are screen-printed on the lid of the balm jar.

The material also biodegrades without leaving permanent microplastics behind. The brand’s logo and a botanical design are screen-printed on the lid of the balm jar.

“We provide both long-standing and independent brands a more sustainable option for cosmetics packaging. The values of Manik Skincare and Sulapac are naturally aligned, making this collaboration particularly appropriate,” says Dr. Suvi Haimi, CEO and co-founder of Sulapac.

“Sulapac was born out of concern for the environment and the ever-growing amounts of plastic waste. We are dedicated to accelerating the transition toward a circular economy by providing materials that are beautiful, functional and sustainable – like nature,” adds Haimi.

Changing societal patterns
Once a symbol of counter-culture, tattoos are now widely considered part of mainstream culture, with more than a third of US adults between the ages of 18 and 25 having at least one tattoo, according to Manik.

The normalization of tattoos over the last decade stems mainly from more exposure to tattoos through social media and popular culture from musicians to sports stars, and the strong individualism of the millennial and Gen Z generations, the brand supports.

“This change is also evident in the requests and choices of tattoo clients. People want art that represents them and their beliefs about life and the world. Nature-oriented botanical tattoos have increased heavily in popularity. It makes perfect sense that tattoo enthusiasts also want products that support their values,” says Mik Rahner.

Sulapac has also collaborated on packaging with Chanel, Okanagan Lavender, Innerbark, Akane, I+M and Edinburgh Skincare.

Sulapac’s Haimi recently spoke to PersonalCareInsights about the challenges in sustainable packaging production and design, including cost-competitiveness and recyclability hurdles.

By Kristiana Lalou

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