The European Tube Manufacturers Association (ETMA) has recognised the best tubes of the year across five categories: aluminium, plastic, laminate, sustainability and prototype. Albéa Tubes won two awards. The international company was recognised in the plastic tube category for a newly developed solution for Weleda’s shower gel range. The monomaterial HDPE tube combines a lightweight PE cap with a PCR-Max casing and a reduced wall thickness of just 350 micrometres. The premium packaging contains around 57 per cent post-consumer recycled material and can be printed with photorealistic graphics. The sustainability award also went to Albéa Tubes for Fill-Up, a refill solution developed in collaboration with L’Occitane. It is made from mono-material PE and features a specially developed EcoTop cap. Furthermore, brands can continue to use their existing filling equipment, it was stated.

Focus on recyclability

The best aluminium tube came from Alltub Italia. It was developed for a limited-edition body scrub by Rituals and combines design with sustainability. It is made entirely from recycled aluminium and stands out thanks to its bronze- to copper-coloured metallic finish with a transparent effect. Inspired by traditional apothecaries, the design draws on the theme of alchemy. Matching aluminium tins for the same product range ensure a consistent brand image. The specialist company EPL Europe received the award for its Barbero laminate tube series for men’s grooming products. It is based on EPL’s Platina-Me structure, an HDPE-based laminate with a silver-metallised PE layer. Lightweight HDPE shoulders and colour-coordinated slim flip-top closures further enhance recyclability and resource efficiency.

Best prototype made entirely of aluminium

The Prototype Award went to Tubex Aluminium Tubes from Austria for its ‘MonoSense’ model. According to the company, it is the world’s first tube with an applicator made entirely of aluminium and seamlessly integrated into the tube. The tube is manufactured from a single piece of aluminium containing 95 per cent recycled material and can be easily recycled again. Its high barrier properties and the prevention of a suck-back effect contribute to product safety and hygiene. The winners were selected by a seven-member jury comprising member companies of ETMA. The competition is regarded within the international tube industry as the benchmark for innovation, technical excellence and outstanding design.

Source: ETMA