etma presents winners of Tube of the Year 2023
The POREfessional tube by Benefit Cosmetics, produced by Alltub France, took home the award in the aluminium tube category. Image: etma
Winners of the European Tube Manufacturers Association’s (etma) Tube of the Year 2023 competition were announced in Amsterdam at the end of May 2023.
Etma’s annual conference and the third World Tube Congress, which was organised by etma, provided a suitable setting for the award ceremony. A jury of seven representatives of etma member companies selected the winners in the categories of aluminium tubes, plastic tubes, laminate tubes, sustainability and prototypes.
This year’s winner in the aluminium tube category was The POREfessional tube by Benefit Cosmetics, which belongs to the luxury group LVMH. The well-known Californian cosmetics brand relies on aluminium tubes for the relaunch of this fast-smoothing pore mask. These tubes are produced by Alltub France from more than 95% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium. The tubes have been coated with a matt, transparent lacquer that shows off the tube’s brushed aluminium to excellent effect. A specially developed press tooling reduces the intensity of the extrusion marks along the entire length of the tube, giving the brushed effect an even better look. Another challenge lies in the printing of this tube, achieving the eye-catching turquoise matt and gloss effect on the front face and obtaining the quality of print registration required at the circular matt/gloss interfaces on the tube. A truly shining example of the fascinating design possibilities of an aluminium tube.
First place in the sustainability category also went to an aluminium tube from the Japanese consumer goods company Kao, as part of the reconfiguration of the packaging 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 recyclate (PCR) in the entire packaging to significantly reduce the carbon footprint. Both components of the packaging – and thus both types of material – are now produced with PCR material: the tube made of 100% PCR aluminium, the closure made of 100% PCR plastic. With the use of PCR aluminum slugs, the carbon footprint decreases by 92% (cradle-to-gate). The manufacturer’s PCR packaging contains 100% post-consumer recyclate made from end-of-life aluminum scrap like cable wires or lithographic plates. This way, the resource intensive effort of collecting, sorting and cleansing needed for packaging-to-packaging recycling can be significantly reduced. In addition, these sources of PCR are characterised by a high material availability and thus supply reliability. The supply chain is transparent and traceable. The 100% PCR plastic for the closure comes from the “yellow bag” system in Europe. A closed material cycle, which also ensures CO2 savings with its short transport routes.
In the prototype category, the jury chose a range of aluminium tubes from Alltub Italia as the winner of the competition. With its winning innovation, the tube producer reacted to the increasing popularity of aluminium tubes on the market for high-end cosmetics. The attention and customer wishes are increasingly focusing on a design-oriented, extraordinary and unmistakable appearance of the tubes. With the introduction of its in-line over-varnishing application technique, Alltub Italia has developed an innovation that makes the aluminium tube even more attractive. With this new technology, aluminium tubes can in future be equipped and designed with a wide variety of unique and refined external coating finishes, which aid the special look of the tube. The following effects, for example, can be realised from a range of possibilities: Soft Touch, Pearl Glaze, Iridescent Glaze or Multi-Glitter. This variety in choice of coating effects offers companies and brands attractive possibilities to add value to their products and gain new markets.
Winners in the other categories were:
- Plastic tubes – Essential hair care range tube from Payot, by French manufacturer, Albéa.
- Laminate tubes – Silky Comfort Argan and Jojoba tube from Magdis Cosmetics (Croatia), produced by Slovenian manufacturer, KimPai Tuba.
Etma secretary general, Gregor Spengler, said he is satisfied with the high number of participants and the outstanding quality level of this year’s competition. “But what makes me particularly happy,” he said “is the extremely lively participation in the prototype category. Here alone, a third of all submitted tubes went to the start. I see this as a very positive signal and a convincing indication of the continuing innovative spirit of our member companies. Our industry is obviously well positioned for the further development of the flexible tube as a packaging material of the future.”
