The European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) has organised the third World Tube Congress in Amsterdam also presented the winners of the „Tube of the Year 2023“ competition.
The selection of the winners of the etma „Tube of the Year 2023“ competition and the presentation of the winning tubes took place in Amsterdam at the end of May this year. A seven-member jury made up of representatives from etma member companies had in the categories aluminium tubes, plastic tubes, laminate tubes, sustainability and prototypes the respective winners are determined.
This year's winner in the aluminium tube category was The POREfessional tube from Benefit Cosmetics, part of the luxury group LVMH. The well-known Californian cosmetics brand relied on aluminium tubes for the new launch of this fast-smoothing pore mask. These tubes are produced by Alltub France made from more than 95 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium produced. For their special look, the tubes are coated with a matt, transparent lacquer, which accentuates the brushed aluminium of the tube. A specially developed pressing tool reduces the intensity of the extrusion marks over the entire length of the tube and thus ensures an even better brushed effect.
In the jury's opinion, the printing of the tubes with the eye-catching turquoise matt and gloss effects is also successful through high precision of the print alignment at the circular matt/gloss interfaces.
A tube from Payot for its new Essentiel hair care range came out on top in the plastic tube category. The tubes come from the French manufacturer Albéa and are manufactured in one of its competence centres for extruded plastic tubes in Germany. At first glance, the winning tubes impress with their wonderful, matt colouring and clear, elegantly minimalist design. The tubes are produced with the Thin Wall PCR MAX technology from Albéa.
A matt PP Slight Cap was chosen for the closure, which with its low height is one of the lightest on the market. The shape and colour of the cap perfectly matches the proportions and design of the tube, creating a harmonious appearance. This combination of the Thin Wall PCR MAX and the PP Slight Cap enables the brand to achieve a harmonious appearance, a very light tube with a high proportion of post-consumer recyclate (PCR) to the market.
The winner in the laminate tube category was the Silky Comfort Argan and Jojoba tube from Magdis Cosmetics, the largest cosmetics manufacturer on the Croatian market and supplier of high-quality natural cosmetics. The tubes of Biobaza Body Lotion are produced by the Slovenian manufacturer KimPai Tuba. With its convincing print image and minimalist, understated design, the simple elegance of the tube represents the brand's commitment to sustainability, environmental friendliness and the highest quality, according to the jury.
The flat cap and shoulder of the tube reduce material consumption by a remarkable 60 per cent. The manufacturer's shimmering MLL material not only makes the tube an eye-catcher, but is also a real eye-catcher. recognised as a recyclable material by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). All components of the tubes are made of polyethylene and can therefore be easily recycled as a mono-material. Compostable printing inks are used for the digital printing of the tube, which makes this packaging even more attractive.
First place in the sustainability category went to an aluminium tube from the Japanese consumer goods company Kao as part of the redesign of its well-known product Goldwell TOPCHIC Permanent Hair Color. The tubes are produced by the German manufacturer Linhardt. The aim of the joint development with Kao was to, use post-consumer recycled (PCR) material for all packaging, to significantly reduce the carbon footprint. Both components of the packaging are now made from PCR material: The tube is made from 100% PCR aluminium, the cap from 100% PCR plastic. The use of PCR aluminium slugs reduces the carbon footprint by 92 percent (cradle-to-gate).
The manufacturer's PCR packaging contains 100 per cent post-consumer recyclates, which are from end-of-life aluminium waste such as cable wires or litho plates originate. In this way, the resource-intensive work involved in collecting, sorting and cleaning packaging-to-packaging recycling can be significantly reduced. The PCR sources used are characterised by high material availability and thus supply reliability. The supply chain is transparent and traceable. The 100 per cent PCR plastic material for the closure comes from the „Yellow Bag“ system in Europe. A closed material cycle which, with its short transport routes, also ensures corresponding CO2-savings.
Finally, in the prototypes category, the jury chose a series of aluminium tubes from Alltub Italia as the winner of the competition. The tube manufacturer responded with its winning innovation to the increasing popularity of aluminium tubes on the market for high-quality cosmetics. The focus and customer requirements here are increasingly focussing on a design-oriented, unusual and unmistakable appearance of the tubes.
Alltub Italia has developed the Introduction of its in-line coated aluminium tubes has developed an innovation that makes the aluminium tube even more attractive. With this new technology, aluminium tubes can be equipped with a variety of additional and unique exterior coatings in the future and designed to give the tube a very special look and a visually unique position. The following effects, for example, can be realised from a range of options: Soft Touch, Pearl Glaze, Iridescent Glaze or Multi-Glitter. This variety of solutions offers companies and brands attractive opportunities to enhance their products and open up new markets.
Source: etma
