In Germany, skincare brand Beiersdorf has started using biobased polypropylene jars for its popular Nivea face cream. The jars are made from tall oil, a forestry industry byproduct. The material is being sourced from SABIC after a development deal was announced between the two companies late last year.
Beiersdorf was particularly adamant that the jars would be recyclable and the feedstock not compete with food or feed, like bioplastics based on sugarcane or corn.
“Our excellent skin care products obviously include a high-quality packaging, which has to fulfill many requirements,” says Michael Becker, Head of Global Packaging Development at Beiersdorf, in a press statement. “On the one hand, this concerns visual and tactile features that our Nivea consumers are acquainted to, but packaging recyclability is also an important aspect for us—in line with our vision of a circular economy that we aim to support.”
The jars will first be used with the brand’s Naturally Good face care products in 30 countries and are neither “visually nor haptically” distinguishable from previous packaging, according to Hannah Rasel, Senior Packaging Specialist at Beiersdorf.