Every year, companies participating in Creative seem to be taking up a little more of the ecological challenge. From organic ingredients to green plastic packaging a large part of the 230 exhibitors will showcase a greener and more responsible offer.

Organic ingredients

On the occasion of the show, Cosmetochem, a Swiss producer of plant extracts, is launching a range of 100% organic plant extracts, containing no preservatives, made up of 6 plant references from organic channels (raspberry, lavender, linden, elderberry, vanilla, green tea).

Similarly, the Solabia group, a designer and manufacturer of molecules and active ingredients for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and neutraceutical industries, is announcing the increase of its raw materials, actives and extracts offer, in compliance with Ecocert and/or other organic standards.

Malian women producing Kaloje®, a shea-butter based range, also expect the organic certification they recently obtained will help confirm the success they met last year.

Environment friendly packaging

Packaging suppliers also are taking up to the ecological design. Specialized since 1986 in developing packaging, paper bags, plastic bags, silk papers, ribbons, boxes and gift boxes, AK Emballages is adapting its offer to environmental protection. The company now offers a large selection of recycled and/or bio-degradable paper printed bags on a wide variety of supports such as white and brown recycled Kraft papers, white and brown special texture papers, "Ecokraft" paper series, to name a few.

Other example, the Italian manufacturer Leoplast, was one of the first to launch into the creation of 100% organic plastic packaging materials, in 2004. Five years later, its range VegetalPlastic, a 0% oil-derived plastic packaging, represents a new generation of packaging that is increasingly winning over the cosmetics industry.

The sustainability trend affects all market segments: mass, masstige and prestige brands are all eager to find solutions for this challenge,” explains Muriel Lesbros, marketing consultant for Quadpack, one of Europe’s fastest growing, independent packaging groups supplying prestige packaging solutions to the cosmetics and beauty markets. In the wake of its noted collaboration on the 100% ecological line Nude Skincare, Quadpack is consolidating its offer of eco-friendly products for luxury cosmetics packaging.

Market analyses made by Organic Monitor, reveal that sales of organic and natural cosmetics in Europe have for the first time exceeded 2 billion of dollars in 2008. The growth continues in 2009 at a sustained pace even if it has slow down compared to 2008.