Polski
Paper Instead of Plastic, Chip Instead of a Tag: Cosmetics Packaging Moves to the Next Level
This week in the cosmetics industry shows that packaging is no longer just a "pretty box" – it's becoming a battleground for the environment and consumer trust. On one side we have the debut of a sachet that decomposes like a leaf; on the other, labels capable of introducing themselves and proving that the product inside is genuine.
01 · Eco Packaging
Plastic-Free Sachet That Decomposes Like a Leaf
British brand Bower Collective, known for its fight against plastic waste in cosmetics, has teamed up with biomaterials company Kelpi to unveil something the industry has been talking about for years but rarely managed to bring to production scale: a paper sachet for liquid products, completely free of plastic lining [1]. The secret lies in Kelpi's seaweed-based coating, which gives the paper the water resistance that used to be provided by a petroleum-derived layer.
The first product to get this treatment is a liquid hand soap available in three scents, packaged in small, five-millilitre sachets. Production and filling are handled by UK-based Guardpack, and – importantly for the whole industry – the process was launched on existing production lines, without the need for costly investment in new machinery. That's an argument that could persuade other contract manufacturers to test similar solutions themselves, rather than waiting for fully dedicated infrastructure.
The packaging can go into household paper recycling, and if it ends up in the environment, it's designed to biodegrade safely. In the context of the EU's PPWR regulation, which is increasingly pushing for a reduction in plastic packaging, a ready-to-deploy solution like this is more than just a curiosity – it's a signal that the market already has real alternatives to plastic sachets for samples, shampoos or travel-size cosmetics, and alternatives that don't require building a factory from scratch.
02 · RFID and Tracking
RFID Is Transforming Labels on Cosmetics Packaging
If the Bower Collective and Kelpi sachets are a response to environmental pressure, RFID in cosmetics packaging is a response to pressure around supply chain security and the fight against counterfeits [2]. Radio tags make it possible to identify and track products without having to aim a scanner at a barcode – they work at the production, logistics and warehousing stages, as well as at the point of sale, automating inventory management and control of goods flow at every stage of the supply chain.
For premium brands, it's also a tool in the fight against fakes – RFID makes it easy to verify a product's authenticity at every stage of its journey to the customer, which matters more and more given sales through online channels and intermediaries. And customers get something out of it too: a label with a chip can become a gateway to extra information – about the origin of ingredients, how to use the product, or its history – meeting the growing demand for transparency from conscious consumers.
The trouble is, there's no single universal model yet for rolling out RFID in cosmetics. The biggest challenge remains integrating the electronic component into the label without losing its visual appeal and functionality, as well as the profitability of the whole venture – whether the investment pays off depends largely on the scale of a brand's e-commerce and the sophistication of its logistics. Even so, the direction is clear: packaging is no longer just a carrier of information, but an active participant in the production, logistics and sales process.
Summary
Summary
The eco-friendly sachet and the smart label are two sides of the same coin – cosmetics packaging today has to be both environmentally responsible and technologically "smart." These are exactly the topics – from biomaterials to digital product tracking – that we'll be covering in detail at Beauty Supply Chain Expo 2027. We invite packaging manufacturers, raw material suppliers and contract companies to share experiences and make new business connections. See you there!
Invitation
Plastic-free sachets and smart RFID labels are just a preview of what awaits at Beauty Supply Chain Expo 2027. Meet biomaterial suppliers, packaging manufacturers and supply chain digitalization specialists all in one place. Talk about PPWR-compliant implementations and technologies that protect your products from counterfeiting. Book your spot today.
Beauty Supply Chain Expo 2027Footnotes
[1] HPC Middle East & Africa — https://www.hpcmagmea.com/2026/09/24/bower-collective-kelpi-launch-paper-sachets-for-liquid-hand-wash/[2] Świat Przemysłu Kosmetycznego — https://przemyslkosmetyczny.pl/artykul/rfid-w-opakowaniach-kosmetycznych-technologia-ktora-zmienia-etykiete/