"Where Beauty Starts" can also be with sustainably produced shelf-ready packaging that helps shoppers minimise the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. For packaging manufacturers at the CosmeticBusiness trade show from 5 to 6 June in Munich, sustainability remains the number one topic. Above all, exhibitors at this year's event are expected to demonstrate how they use mono-material solutions to facilitate recycling and support the circular economy. Here are this year's top trends:

Trend 1: Developing Mono-Material Solutions

In the packaging industry, it is an ongoing challenge to create containers made from just one material to ensure they can be easily recycled without needing to break them down into separate materials after use. Aptar's new airless dispenser, Mono Micro, in its Micro range, adds to the available mono-material solutions. The cap, container, pump and cylinder are all manufactured exclusively from PE. Corpack has launched a full series of mono-material packaging for lipstick, mascara and powder. All components are made exclusively from 100 per cent polypropylene (PP).

Trend 2: Increasing the PCR Content

Several manufacturers are focusing on PCR (post-consumer recycling) and reusing discarded materials. For many years, the low quality of cosmetics packaging containing PCR meant that compromises had to be made. However, due to improved processing, PCR content is gradually approaching 100 per cent. Tubex is showcasing MonoRefill, a refill pack made from 100 per cent recycled aluminium of which 95 per cent is PCE material. KM Packaging is already making its Tango and Melody Ultra flip-top caps with a PCR content of 70 per cent. The company explains that it uses a special type of highly transparent PCR material that allows caps to be produced in a variety of colours. Linhardt is presenting its NextGen PCR plastic tube in Munich and says it is the first tube made from HD and LLD PCR. The tube features a mix of rigid and flexible PE made from 100 per cent PreFin PCR material that is suitable for cosmetics.

Trend 3: Thinking Beyond the Packaging Materials

One of the main goals in packaging is to make full recycling possible. Masterbatch supplier Lifocolor is a good example of a company that uses its colours to support or enable recycling-oriented design in cosmetics packaging. The new silver and metallic masterbatches aim to ensure packaging can be correctly identified in sorting systems using near-infrared light (NIR) and then fed into the recycling process. According to the start-up SeaMe, packaging should ideally be reused before it is recycled. In Munich, the young company is displaying its new PET mono-material bottle "designed for reuse and recycle". The bottle will be available as part of the zerooo multiple-use system operated by the start-up for cosmetics and drug stores. Standardised containers from several brands are used in the closed pooling system.