Key takeaways
- Sustainable packaging innovations for cosmetics is becoming increasingly necessary.
- Innovation highlights included compostable RFID labels, refillable lipstick, and packaging made from flowers, mud, and seaweed.
- The solutions addressed upcoming regulations and consumer demand for eco-conscious design.
- Materials range from aluminium and rolled wood to bio-foam and ocean-bound plastic.
- More beauty brands are prioritising recyclability, biodegradability, and long-term usability.
With changing regulations on the horizon and evolving consumer expectations, sustainable design is becoming a non-negotiable for cosmetics brands. Here are some of the latest launches that were making waves at the luxury packaging show…
Compostable, Biodegradable RFID & NFC Labels
Ma Balise’s compostable and biodegradable RFID & NFC labels won the Eco-Designed Packaging Innovation award at this year’s Luxe Pack in Green awards. These innovative labels are free from plastics and heavy metals, recyclable with paper, and feature no chemical etching. They are TUV and Dincerto certified and have already been tested in organic cosmetics.
Eco Rain Cover for Paper Shopping Bags
Fiorini International introduced a transparent, 100% paper, water-resistant rain cover as a greener alternative to plastic versions. The external paper coating technology that creates the water barrier is FSC-certified and printed with water-based inks.
Recycled Flower, Scented Perfume Packaging
Guangzhou Devi Co’s floral recycled fragrance packaging is made using unsold roses, lavender, and forget-me-nots from Yunnan, China. This reduces agricultural waste and supports local farmers. The eco-friendly processing replaces harmful glue with Pu-er tea adhesive, giving the pack a self-scented quality that lasts 30–60 days. It is fully biodegradable and decomposes within five to six months under normal composting conditions.
Refillable Vintage Lipstick
HCP Packaging’s Lisa Eldridge Rouge Experience Lipstick is designed for sustainability with a 100% aluminium refill mechanism. Inside is a refillable fluted zamac insert. The pack eliminates plastic for single-stream recycling and is crafted to encourage long-term use — as a keepsake or heirloom.
Luxury Satin Box Made with Ocean-Bound Plastic
Winter & Company’s Satin Ocean is made with 50% recycled ocean-bound plastic and was developed in collaboration with Swiss ocean plastic upcycling company #Tide Ocean SA. It saves 60% in CO₂ emissions and 50% in energy compared to virgin PET, while offering a premium look in 12 colour options.
Cloud Beauty Sludge
This premium upcycled packaging is made from reservoir mud in Taiwan, which has increased due to extreme weather. It is ISO 14021 and RoHS-approved, REACH and food-contact safe.
Reusable or Compostable Sustainable Wood Boxes
Swisspack’s Rolled Wood technology uses 30 times less energy than MDF, 100 times less than paper, and 1000 times less than plastic. Thin layers of wood are rolled to create lightweight yet robust rigid cases. The finish can resemble walnut, oak, maple, bamboo, or even carbon fibre or lacquer, and natural oils can be used for an ecological shine.
The products are reusable or compostable, and a life cycle analysis (LCA) showed that a rolled wood case emits 3.5 times less greenhouse gases than an equivalent MDF structure. Under the European PEF standard, 12 out of 16 environmental impacts are lower for rolled wood.
Seaweed and Upcycled Wine Cork Packaging
Bruma by 3D Cork features a base made from a seaweed powder and cork blend, and a lid made from upcycled cork stoppers that didn’t meet wine industry standards. The seaweed is sourced in Europe.
Extra-Lightweight Glass Jars
Glassmaker Zignago Vetro has developed MoreLite — four lightweight packaging solutions for cosmetics and perfumery. Its latest fragrance flacon weighs just 95g, the lightest to date. The company has also lightened three existing models.
Cellulose-Based Bio-Foam
Woamy Biofoam is a cellulose-based alternative to plastic foams in protective packaging. Made from renewable raw materials, it is recyclable with cardboard, biodegradable, and compatible with existing sorting systems. It is also resistant to compression and humidity.
Upcycled Wood Packaging
Quadpack created a custom cap and ring set made entirely of PEFC-certified maple wood for Adolfo Domínguez’s ADN fragrance line. Working with parent company Puig, Quadpack adapted its patented Woodacity technology to secure the pump without glue, plastic, or intermediary materials.
The components are manufactured and decorated at Quadpack’s wood mill in Spain, where an on-site biomass plant converts wood residue into fuel for drying kilns and temperature control — eliminating the need for transport to a separate processing facility.
