The packaging design sector is getting a big makeover as more people start paying attention to and incorporating sustainable products in their lives. A South Korean beauty and pharmaceutical company, Kolmar Korea, has designed eco-friendly packaging made from paper for cosmetic products. KbeautyThe package reinforced with a waterproof layer of coated paper withstands the weight of up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds) and can be modified to be produced in various shapes.

Currently, almost every cosmetics products use plastic or glass packaging designed to hold liquid-type or paste-type products. It is hard for makers to create eco-friendly packages using paper as they go soft when exposed to moisture. Cosmetics makers favor plastic packages because of their durability and ability to absorb shock. Also, plastic packages are lighter, making them more cost-effective in large-quantity shipping.

Kolmar Korea said in a statement on November 11 that 80 percent of the new eco-friendly package was made of paper but its cap that fits on the nozzle had to be produced in plastic. Some foreign beauty product companies have already adopted paper packages. La Roche-Posay, a French cosmetics company, released a tube-type sunscreen product using a paper tube in May.

This paper tube offers an eco-friendly advance in tube packaging. The entire body is made of paper, eliminating the use of typical tube materials such as plastics. A range of papers creates various textures. The sleeves can be personalized with the graphics and logos of a given brand. The paper tube also means that consumers can access the last remaining formula contents by simply tearing up the used paper tube along the dotted line. The paper tube, while sealed with a plastic cap, marks a major environmental improvement for the cosmetic industry, and can be used to package a whole range of personal care, health and beauty products.

Designer: Lee Je Min, Jung Jung Mo, and Kim Hee Yoon