TecTubes develops biodegradable toothpaste tube

By Katie Bird

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Injection molding

TecTubes has developed what is claimed to be the world’s first biodegradable toothpaste tube using resins from bioplastics supplier fKUR.

The Sweden-headquartered tube company said the challenge was finding the bioresin with the desired properties to work with both processing techniques used to manufacturer the tube and its cap.

“The most challenging part has been to find the right material that could be used in both extruding and injection moulding. Since the two different techniques require different melt indexes, there has been a lot of work behind finding the right mix of Bio-material,”​ spokesperson for TecTubes, Ariane Duthoit, told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.

The resin for the tubes was supplied by German bioplastics player, fKUR, and forms part of its BioFlex range.

“The tube (extruded) as well as the cap (injection molded) is made from Bio-Flex resins. The tube is a special mixture/dryblend of different Bio-Flex grades in order to enhance the properties,”​ fKUR’s market develop manager Denise Winkelmann told this publication.

Barrier properties - challenging

Creating a biodegradable tube with the right barrier properties is particularly challenging and Duthoit explained that TecTubes is still experimenting to find exactly the right resin that will most closely resemble the extruded tubes the company currently produces.

FK_UR-Tu_be

Currently, the tube is on the market housing a natural toothpaste from AllVeggie. Made wherever possible with organic, natural and environmentally friendly ingredients, AllVeggie claims that with the addition of the biodegradable tube, its product is the most environmentally friendly toothpaste available.

Commenting on the collaboration, Allveggie’s manager Stefan Lundbladh said: “It is important for us to emphasize our ecological awareness and send a signal. By using bioplastics we can fulfil our wish to have an overall environmentally friendly solution.”

Although this is the only example of the tube on the market today, TecTubes said with the right demand the biodegradable tube could be made available to brands operating in any region.

Regarding the end of life options for the tube, Duthoit said the consumer would be advised to throw the tube away with other compostable waste.

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