Cosmax partners with Innerbottle to develop eco-friendly packaging

By Amanda Lim

- Last updated on GMT

South Korean ODM company Cosmax is linking up with Innerbottle to develop easy to recycle cosmetic containers in a bid to slash plastics use. ©Innerbottle
South Korean ODM company Cosmax is linking up with Innerbottle to develop easy to recycle cosmetic containers in a bid to slash plastics use. ©Innerbottle
South Korean ODM company Cosmax is linking up with Innerbottle to develop easy to recycle cosmetic containers in a bid to slash plastics use.

In a statement, the company said it aimed to take a lead in reducing the use of plastics, which has emerged as a critical environmental issue.

According to Transparency Market Research, plastic materials accounted for 56.3% of cosmetics packaging worldwide in 2016.

The urgency of the issue is driving Cosmax to introduce its new eco-friendly designs in the global cosmetics market by this year.

"Currently, the cosmetics industry has a lot of concerns about plastic. Cosmax will make various efforts to recycle cosmetics,” ​said Kim Jae-chun, vice chairman of Cosmax.

Steve Oh, CEO of Innerbottle added: “We will work with Cosmax to make Innerbottle’s technology more widely available to global cosmetic brands.”

Innovative balloon system

Innerbottle is a South Korean start-up that has developed a mechanism to solve residue waste and obstacles for recycling plastic cosmetics containers.

Unlike conventional pump bottle, Innerbottle contains a special silicone balloon-like insert that stores liquids. This ensures that the outer shell clean and ready for recycling.

According to the creators, Innerbottle’s system leaves less than 2% of residue behind. A conventional pump container would leave a third of product behind.

The 100% BPA-free silicone insert can be removed and safely incinerated or recycled into silicone oil.

“Most cosmetic containers are discarded with the contents remaining, making recycling difficult. Cosmax's package with Innerbottle is easy to recycle because cosmetics don’t reach the inside of the container. Unlike conventional pump vessels, the highly elastic silicone pouch allows for full use of the contents,” ​said the company.

With its 2-Layer Innerbottle barrier and Diffusion Barrier Effect, Innerbottle’s system minimises oxidisation and denaturation, keeping the cosmetic formulations fresh.

According to Cosmax, Innerbottle is 10% to 20% cheaper to produce than airless containers and is flexible in terms of design.

“The Innerbottle solution can be applied to any size and shape of containers and packages, maximising package design flexibility.”

Innerbottle was founded in 2017. Last June, the start-up began a Kickstarter campaign with a goal to raise $25,000.

Previously, it participated in K-Start 2018, the largest start-up competition in Korea and walked away with the top prize.

Prioritising sustainable packaging

With a high demand for environmentally-friendly packaging, global cosmetics companies such as L’Oreal, Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever, are beginning to channel resources towards sustainable activities.

Last month, K-beauty giant Amorepacific signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TerraCycle and committed to recycling 100% of its empty bottles by 2025.

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