Neopac, a global provider of packaging for a broad array of industries and applications, earned two “Tube of the Year” awards from the European Tube Manufacturers Association (ETMA). The recognition came in two categories: Plastic Tubes and Laminate Tubes.
 
ETMA is an association for producers of flexible aluminum, plastic and laminate tubes. Representing the interests of 46 members from 19 European countries, the organization communicates the benefits of tube packaging; each year, its “Tube of the Year” competition showcases some of the tube industry’s “most groundbreaking new solutions.”

Plastic Tube

In the Plastic Tubes category, Neopac’s Recycled Plastic Tube, which is utilized by Farfalla for several of its 100% natural vegan haircare products, took top honors. Part of Neopac’s EcoDesign family of sustainable solutions and suitable for use with cosmetic products, the Recycled Plastic Tubes are comprised of 64% PCR material from post-consumer recycled material (PCR) derived from household waste such as milk, water and juice bottles, and post-industrial recycled material (PIR) from laminate production waste. All totaled, Neopac’s Recycled Plastic Tubes provide a smaller carbon footprint and lower environmental impact over their lifespan. The tubes are certified by Ecocert, and cleared for full food contact by the U.S. FDA.
 
Laminate Tube

In the Laminate Tubes category, Neopac won for its Stylo Polyfoil Tube with Spatula Applicator for Canesten, a cream for treating athlete’s foot from Bayer Consumer Health. Features included a special applicator comprised of soft TPE material, allowing patients to apply the cream hands-free – an important benefit as athlete’s foot is a highly contagious fungal infection.
 
Bayer’s requirement was to develop an applicator geometry that would allow effortless treatment of skin areas between the toes. To achieve this, the material of the applicator needed to be flexible and compatible with the filling material. Neopac incorporated a rotating ring on the applicator to prevent leakage and protect the product. On/Off marking indicates whether the applicator is open or closed and, thanks to a novel ribbing effect, operation of the rotating ring is convenient for all age groups.
 
The Polyfoil laminate protects the product against light, air and water vapor diffusion and migration. Notably, the packaging solution was a hit with consumers: according to Neopac, approximately 90% found Canesten product application convenient and simple via the enhanced applicator.