"The market for airless packaging is very dynamic and will become increasingly so", says Jean-Philippe Taberlet, CMD of Lablabo, "especially because of changes in regulations which, from 2013, will demand technical solutions for packaging. And airless, thanks to the degree of protection it brings, finds itself at the heart of the debate".

With 500 million airless units (piston or pocket) produced each year worldwide, 95% of which are used in cosmetics, the sector has imposed its mark and continues to be remarkable.

Innovation and elegance of shape

Lablabo, the leading manufacturer of airless high-performance pocket dispensers, has launched a new range called Ellipse, innovative "in its shape, a very flat oval" explains J-P Taberlet. Offering a design that did not exist up to now in this type of product, the Ellipse has a powerful and accurate pump (0.7%), capable of dosing any level of viscosity, and an oval pouch-bottle containing a multi-layer aluminoplastique pocket - using EasyFoil technology - that protects against oxidation and UV rays.  It can also be used for liquids. Filling is easy (there is no need for a particular type of machine); this product provides the formula optimum protection against: evaporation, drying out in the pump head, bacterial contamination and interaction to materials.

The three German groups - Louvrette, Gaplast and MegaPlast, combined their expertise to develop an elegant 50 ml jar, called Prestige, which comes equipped with an airless pocket. It offers many advantages: maximum protection of the product (the barrier layers of the inner pocket can be adapted to the product), various applications (system suitable for several grades of viscosity), maximum restitution (up to 98%), and can be used in any position. Filling is also quick and safe. In addition, various kinds of graphics can be used to decorate them.

The question of environment

At the Creative Beauty exhibition, VG Emballage, in addition to its "standard" airless piston or pocket selection, will promote the EcoSolution, designed using 30% less CO2 emissions (compared to a conventional airless piston).  Moreover, it contains just five parts, 100% plastic, in PE and PP only, all of which are fully recyclable. Its manufacture is based on patented Airfree® technology from Promens (protected by three patents), which allows preformed co-extrusion of its five layers (PP / PP / EVOH / adhesive / PE), that is then inflated to create the airless bottle. The pocket thus secured to the bottle creates an antioxidant barrier. All the components can be decorated (pump, bottle, cap, including the inside pocket that can be coloured). The capacities range from 50 ml to 500 ml.

We may also mention the Tag System from Lumson, the Italian company, with its successful combination of glass and airless (Pocket) - all of which are fully recyclable. The Eco-lock sealing system ensures total protection of the product. It is available in 15, 30 or 50 ml.

The choice of vacuum production

The company Airlessystems, of the Aptar group, offers a complete packaging solution, with vacuum filling machines and locking.  The pumps and bottles are fully verified.  Note that, much like a number of the players in the sector, the standards meet pharmaceutical norms.  The release mechanism is 100% guaranteed, and this technology is particularly suitable for high viscosities. Dior's Capture, Re-Nutriv from Estée Lauder and Premier Cru from Caudalie have already succumbed...

Caroline Da Chavigny

Find the Airless professionals at CREATIVE Beauty - 10th, 11th & 12th September 2012 on - BEYOND BEAUTY - Porte de Versailles

www.beyondbeautyevents.com