Tubex Aluminium Tubes, a division of the Tubex Group and a pioneer in the aluminium packaging industry, launches the second product of its innovative blue tube brand: the blue tube evo, made from 95% post-consumer recycled aluminium (PCR aluminium).
Given the known environmental impact of different packaging solutions, consumers, retailers and manufacturers are increasingly looking for alternatives that significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining functionality. Given the strategic importance of this development, Tubex Aluminium Tubes has initiated an integrated eco-innovation process, which created the brand „the blue tube“ in 2019. The range consists exclusively of tubes made from 100% recycled aluminium.
The first generation of this brand, „the blue tube“, consists of 100% post-industrial recycled aluminium (PIR aluminium) and has proven to be particularly successful in the global fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. Customers include the Beauty Care business unit of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, a global leader in the fields of beauty care, laundry and household care as well as adhesives technology.
The Blue Tube evo
Following the successful market launch, the range was expanded to include the blue tube evo. The latest product innovation was developed with the circular economy in mind and can save up to 15% aluminium. This highly circular product shows improved drainability and a high Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) score of up to 93%. The MCI was developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and provides an indication of the extent to which linear material flows (non-recycled) have been minimised and restorative material flows (recycled) have been maximised1. The higher the proportion of recycled and recyclable materials, the higher the MCI.
Tubex commissioned the global environmental consultancy Quantis to assess both the life cycle assessment of the tubes and to analyse the MCI. The result: by taking a robust eco-design approach, including PCR integration and tube redesign, Tubex Aluminium Tubes reduced the carbon footprint of its tubes by 40% with the blue tube evo. The company thus improved its footprint in two ways: firstly, by reducing the tube's carbon footprint at the end of its life to 100% recyclable and secondly, that it is 95% PCR aluminium which also reduces the environmental impact of raw materials. The Tubex Aluminium Tubes team is currently working on certifying the full traceability of its supply chain, including the targeted sourcing of PCR materials.
A far-reaching transformation process to fulfil today's environmental requirements
Reduce environmental impact without sacrificing functionality
The tubes are a practical, useful solution for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and technical industries. All of these industries must comply with the European Directive 2018/852 on packaging and packaging waste. The directive sets the target that 50 percent of aluminium packaging must be recycled by 2025 and 60 percent by 2030.
„The blue tube evo is the result of a profound and successful transformation process within Tubex Aluminium Tubes. This process has enabled us to develop and strengthen our expertise and research capabilities in aluminium tubes, build strategic partnerships and ultimately expand the global presence of Tubex aluminium tubes.“ He adds: „Our new aluminium packaging meets an urgent need from our customers to significantly reduce their environmental footprint. It also responds to a global market and consumer trend towards more recycling and less waste.“ Thierry Bitout, CEO of Tubex Aluminium Tubes:
The development of the blue tube brand was made possible by a ground-breaking reorganisation within the Tubex Group.
[infotext icon]„I am very proud to be able to present our new products. They illustrate the success of the differentiation strategy we are pursuing with our two packaging divisions, which specialise in aluminium tubes and spray cans. The transformation measures of the past two years have enabled us to enter a new era and become the global market leader in aluminium tube packaging.“ Dr Cornelius Grupp, CEO and owner of the Tubex Group
Tubex Aluminium Tubes is a division of the Tubex Group, which is part of the CAG Group. The CAG Group employs 8,400 people worldwide. Tubex Aluminium Tubes specialises in aluminium tubes for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food and technical industries. The company, which employs 1,000 people, is present at 7 locations, operates in 76 markets and has a portfolio of 650 customers worldwide.
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