ELEMIS to launch plastic-free, biodegradable sachets for cosmetics

Skincare brand, ELEMIS, has partnered with Xampla, creator of plant-based material brand, Morro, to develop plastic-free, biodegradable sampling sachets.

Via the collaboration of the two British B Corp companies, the aim is to replace plastic materials traditionally used in cosmetic sachets with biofilm, within the next six months. This material is set to be produced using leftover waste from ELEMIS plant crops used for product ingredients.

The long-term goal is to replace ELEMIS’ single-use sample sachets with plant-based, heat sealable films.

The project is supported by materials and system change solution platform, PlasticFree.com. Research is supported by a grant co-funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK.

Oriele Frank, co-founder & chief product and sustainability officer at ELEMIS & Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) co-chair, comments: “This project reflects ELEMIS’ commitment to finding new opportunities to have a positive impact on the planet and people throughout our value chain.

“What we find so exciting about it is how utilising waste from leftover plant material can potentially tackle one of our key packaging dilemmas.”

Courtesy of Linkedin.com

Pete Hutton, chairman at Xampla, notes: “We are proud to have pioneered our breakthrough material using plant feedstocks and are looking forward to developing this research further with ELEMIS.

“Our collaboration unlocks significant potential for the cosmetics industry, where waste materials are transformed into innovative solutions to replace plastic sachets.”

Sian Sutherland, founder of PlasticFree.com, co-founder of A Plastic Planet – which works to inspire the world to turn off the plastic tap & member of the SBC’s steering committee, adds: “We are proud to have united two forward-looking British companies that, together, can steer us away from plastic packaging with entirely new materials, created from discarded waste.

“This is the kind of inventive and collaborative approach that is required to create change in the industry and facilitate the next generation of packaging.”