Finnish companies Lumene and Sulapac have teamed up in a pilot project, to pack Lumeme water-based cosmetics in jars made from industrially compostable material.
Lumene confirms that, after four years of scientific development, its Nordic-C [VALO] Glow Reveal and Hydra [LÄHDE] Intense Hydration 24H moisturisers have been packed in Sulapac jars made from FSC-certified wood chips and plant-based materials.
According to Lumene, the inner lining of the jars consists of innovative barrier technology for cosmetics, made of industrially compostable material that protects the sensitive cosmetic product which, in contact with natural microbes, eventually falls apart without leaving traces behind.
“Up until now, the main challenge of using bio-based material in jars has been the fast evaporation of moisture, which is why it hasn't been deemed a workable solution for water-based cosmetics. Through this pilot, we are making an investment towards the future of innovation in the cosmetics industry,” said Essi Arola, R& D head of Packaging at Lumene.
Originating from the Nordic country known for its pristine nature, both Lumene and Sulapac routinely use sidestream materials from other industries in the manufacturing of their products.
Cloudberry seed oil and cloudberry seed extract are some of the ingredients used in several products in Lumene’s skincare collections. Growing naturally in the delicate and protected swamp environments of Finland, the berries must always be collected by hand for commercial or private use.
“We obtain cloudberry oil from the press cake leftover in berry juice production from several local companies. It brings a significant sustainability advantage: the berries don’t have to be picked just to supply the cosmetics company. By using side streams, we also promote local partnerships and reduce waste,” explained Arola.
“We have utilised ingredients developed from side streams of the food and forest industries in our production for two decades already, and our ambition is to become carbon neutral by 2025.”
The design philosophy of material innovation startup Sulapac is to mimic nature – similarly to a same-size piece of wood left on the forest floor, Sulapac jars can be digested by naturally occurring microorganisms and break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass, leaving no traces behind.
“Lumene is an iconic Finnish brand with ambition for international expansion. Our philosophies of respecting natural resources and a strong science-based approach complement each other very well," said Dr Suvi Haimi, CEO and co-founder of Sulapac.
"Sulapac’s mission is to save the world from plastic waste together, and we need like-minded, purpose-driven brands and companies to join us on this journey. Powerful brands also pressure decision-makers to invest in laws and regulations, which support the widespread development and adoption of sustainable solutions replacing plastics."
