The winners of the „Tube of the Year Award 2024“ have been announced. At the annual conference of the European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) on 23 May, the choice was made among the creative and innovative submissions. The best tubes were chosen in the categories of aluminium, plastic, laminate, prototype and sustainability.
The Secretary General of the etma, Gregor Spengler, was extremely satisfied with the quality and results of the etma award:
„In this year's competition, European tube manufacturers have once again demonstrated their strong innovative strength and creativity. This is demonstrated not least by the large number of tubes submitted for the competition in the prototypes category. I am particularly pleased with this development, as I see it as an indicator of the wealth of ideas of our member companies, which is a guarantee for the future viability of the tube as a packaging material.“
Winner for the aluminium tubes this year, a tube of Chanel, made by Tubex Aluminium Tubes is produced. Following on from the success of the popular Chance fragrances, Chanel has launched a limited edition set of three Chance hand creams. The gentle, refreshing creams contain the familiar floral fragrances of Chance, Chance Eau Fraiche and Chance Eau Tendre. Each tube is designed in a delicate pastel colour that matches the respective perfume and reflects the elegant style of the brand. The design is rounded off by a mother-of-pearl-like surface and an elegant octagonal cap.
The creams are supplied in an elegant box containing all three fragrances. In addition to their elegant aesthetics, the tubes are also sustainable: Chanel has opted for the Blue Tube Evo from Tubex Aluminium Tubes decided to use the First tube in the world made from 100 percent recycled aluminium was produced. The innovative material is made from 95 per cent PCR material, is infinitely recyclable and significantly reduces carbon emissions. For a brand built on the concept of timeless beauty, it was only logical to opt for stylish and environmentally friendly packaging that closes the loop from packaging to packaging.
The winner of the Laminate tubes The jury selected a tube from L'Occitane, which was Albéa was produced. L'Occitane has worked with Albéa to revamp the packaging of its iconic 30ml hand cream collection, starting with the shea butter version. The changeover involved switching from an Aluminium Barrier Laminate (ABL) tube to a Greenleaf tube, an APR-certified solution with a multi-layer HDPE shell, replacing the previous ABL tube. For the closure, L'Occitane opted for Albéa's EcoTop technology with OctoTop, a 2-in-1 flip-top closure system with the iconic octagonal shape that is synonymous with L'Occitane, which makes the tube more compact. No need for a peel seal. Thanks to the use of the OctoTop opening system and the Greenleaf tube, the Number of materials reduced from 5 to 2 and number of components from 3 to 2 can be used. This led to a weight reduction of 23 per cent compared to the previous tube and at the same time made it possible to recycle the entire tube in the existing recycling streams in France, Europe and the United States.
In first place in the Plastic tubes the Decathlon Active Solaire Sun SPF50 sunscreen tube from Albéa. Decathlon has chosen Albéa to produce the tubes for its Active SolaireSun SPF50 sunscreen. The sports retailer has opted for a PCR Max tube, which is 70 per cent recycled material (PCR). The PCR tube body is combined with Albéa's EcoFusion Top, a fusion of tube head and lid for further weight reduction. The EcoFusion Top innovation achieves a weight reduction of 80 per cent compared to a standard tube head and cap solution. The tube body is made of mono-material and can be recycled as HDPE.
With the Prototypes The winner was a tube from the Swiss manufacturer Hoffmann Neopac. The innovative concept and its successful realisation convinced the jury. The company presents the Smallest childproof tube in the world which represents a breakthrough in compact and safe packaging. The high barrier tube makes additional blister packs superfluous. It has a diameter of 10 mm with a wall thickness of 0.30 for 0.4 - 2 ml contents. The closure is made of a two-part PE/POM composition and is child-resistant in accordance with US 16 CFR § 1700.20 and EU ISO 8317.
The tube can also be fitted with a Drip insert for precise dosing can be customised. Decoration options include a coloured tube body, low-migration offset printing and lacquering. The lightweight and ergonomically designed tube fulfils the requirements of the pharmaceutical, consumer and animal health industries and is manufactured under ISO 8 cleanroom conditions for maximum cleanliness in Switzerland and the USA. The result is an outstanding primary packaging solution that offers the highest level of protection while maintaining a professional appearance and strong brand identity.
In the category Sustainability In the end, the EcoLittle Top Tube came out on top. It was produced by Albéa for Clarins, a French company that is recognised as the number one for premium skincare in Europe and stands for responsible beauty with its innovative and natural products in around 150 countries. Clarins and Albéa have worked together on the EcoLittle Top system. The new flip-top closure, adapted to the sample format, is a response to the triple CSR challenge of weight reduction, recyclability and the use of recycled materials. In line with the CSR commitments of both brands, EcoLittle Top reinvents Clarins' samples. With EcoLittle Top, the latest addition to Albéa's EcoTop range, Clarins will upgrade its range of sample tubes. Thanks to the elimination of one component, EcoLittle Top offers a Weight reduction of 47 per cent for the entire tube. In line with Clarins and Albéa's commitment to the circular economy, the tube is made from 45 per cent recycled material sourced from the manufacturer's PCR Max range. The PCR PE solution combined with EcoLittle Top in HDPE is therefore a mono-material that is recyclable in HDPE streams. By using recycled plastic, the amount of virgin plastic used to manufacture the tubes is reduced.
„Our globally recognised „Tube of the Year“ competition is always an internationally respected indicator and trend indicator for current and future developments in the tube industry. Unsurprisingly, sustainable and resource-efficient packaging solutions are still at the centre of the competition. In particular, improved recyclability, further material reductions and the increased use of recycled materials should be mentioned here. However, smaller tube formats are also in vogue, reflecting social developments such as increasing mobility and the trend towards single households. And in view of all these aspects, the tube is increasingly proving to be the customised and contemporary packaging of the future.“
Gregor Spengler, etma Secretary General
Source: etma
