High-end packaging: 5 trends spotted at Luxe Pack Monaco 2026

From refillable solutions and all-aluminum components to caps made from 90% recycled zamak, bio-based polymers, and strategies to bring production closer to key markets, the trade show, held from September 28 to 30, 2026, highlighted the transformations reshaping fragrance and cosmetics packaging. Premium Beauty News identifies five key trends.

1. Making refillability part of everyday use

Refillability is emerging as a major development area across fragrance, makeup, and skincare. The challenge is no longer simply to offer a reusable container, but to develop complete systems that make refilling more practical and accessible.

At Coverpla, this focus is reflected in an expanded range of refillable bottles. Three of the four new models launched this year feature screw-neck finishes. The company also offers complementary solutions, including Techniplast’s refill system and Aptar’s Nomad Refill, both available in small production runs. Nomad Refill can be customized, while Coverpla’s stock-based offering includes options starting at 1,000 units.

Bormioli Luigi is also expanding its refillable packaging portfolio, with products including the Reverre jar and a refillable glass lipstick case. The glassmaker is developing new 100 ml refillable fragrance bottle formats as well.

In makeup, Axilone received the Formes de Luxe award for Guerlain’s refillable KissKiss lipstick. The manufacturer also presented refillable beauty pens in two formats, twist-operated and clip-on, with interchangeable refills compatible with both designs.

Techniplast continues to champion in-store refill solutions through machines designed to support retailers. Now part of the Pochet Group, the company plans to enhance its equipment with connectivity and data capabilities, while improving versatility. Maintenance, software updates, and rental services are also part of its development strategy.

For on-the-go fragrance, Silgan Dispensing has developed a new version of its Melodie Pirouette pump for a molded glass bottle with a 13 mm screw neck, produced with the Pochet Group. Combined with the Replay Connector filling system, the Melodie Pirouette SNI 13 screw-on pump expands the possibilities for portable, refillable fragrance formats while preserving a premium glass packaging experience.

2. Premiumization: Noble materials and technical sophistication

In high-end packaging, differentiation hinges on the choice of materials, sophisticated finishes, and the integration of technical features into distinctive designs.

Awantys illustrates this approach with caps made from unconventional materials, including marble and concrete. The company also offers skincare jars and lipstick cases crafted from marble, quartz, or jade, as well as wooden caps. Its expertise in sourcing and working with stone enables it to develop bespoke components tailored to brands’ projects, with multi-material caps remaining at the core of its business.

Metal is another key driver of premiumization. TNT Group, for example, has developed a one-piece, injection-molded cap for the Les Essences Précieuses haute parfumerie collection by Stendhal, part of the Bogart Group.

FaiveleyTech has also contributed to the distinctive design of Jean Paul Gaultier’s new 50 ml La Favorite fragrance bottle, at the center of which stands a female figurine with metallic finishes. The project involved technical challenges, particularly in ensuring airtightness at the glass-plastic interface and manufacturing the figurine using a bi-injection process.

At Cosmogen, the Slanted Ball Tube combines a classic 16 mm-diameter tube with an angled applicator featuring a stainless-steel ball. Designed for eye care products, the solution enhances the cooling sensation during application.

Finally, Albéa Cosmetics & Fragrance is tapping into the return of maximalism in beauty with its MakeUp by Albéa collection, exploring new decorative possibilities and innovative applicator designs.

3. New materials: Expanding the realm of possibilities

The search for alternative materials serves several purposes: reducing packaging’s environmental footprint, creating new visual effects, and maintaining the technical performance required to protect cosmetic formulas.

At FaiveleyTech, research notably focuses on Releaf, Avantium’s PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a bio-based, renewable, and recyclable polymer, as well as other bio-based materials, including those developed by Sulapac.

South Korean company House of Taejin is exploring biomass-based materials that combine wood chips and bamboo fibers, accounting for 35% of the composition, with post-consumer recycled polypropylene (PCR PP).

Materials innovation is also opening up new possibilities for applicators. Albéa Cosmetics & Fragrance has developed thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) applicators that deliver a soft, flexible feel and a flocked-like finish without conventional flocking.

4. PPWR: Designing packaging for recyclability

The European regulatory framework, particularly the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), is driving greater interest in packaging designed for recyclability, including single-material structures and the incorporation of recycled materials.

At Albéa Cosmetics & Fragrance, the Kute Beauty collection, inspired by K-beauty, includes several single-material solutions, such as the Amara tottles made entirely from polypropylene (PP). The company also presented Balmy, a 15 ml multi-zone stick made entirely from PP and manufactured in France, and Smart Kiss, a PP tube designed for lipstick or lip balm.

Albéa is working to simplify packaging structures and explore the incorporation of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials while preserving functionality.

Awantys, meanwhile, has developed a patented cap with a removable insert, designed to allow the different components to be separated before recycling.

The German company also offers a glass bottle containing 60% post-consumer recycled (PCR) glass, developed in partnership with a South Korean glassmaker. Its high transparency is designed to meet brands’ aesthetic expectations while incorporating recycled content.

Glass is also benefiting from lightweighting initiatives. Bormioli Luigi has developed a 100 ml screw-neck bottle that reduces glass weight by 40% without significantly altering its appearance.

For metal components, g. pivaudran sources low-carbon aluminum from Hydro for projects linked to the supplier’s collaboration with Chanel. The manufacturer sees this material as a way to combine high quality with a reduced carbon footprint.

The company is also working to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. It has begun preparations to connect its facilities to a biomass-powered district heating network, complementing other renewable energy sources, including solar power.

5. Reshoring and dual sourcing

Securing supplies, managing lead times, and producing closer to end markets are becoming increasingly important for packaging manufacturers. Industrial strategies are evolving towards more flexible models that combine a European production base, regional investments, and diversified sourcing.

German supplier Awantys manufactures approximately 80% of its products in Europe, notably through a partnership with a factory in Poland. It also works with partners in Asia, particularly for specific solutions. This approach combines a strong European footprint with access to international sourcing capabilities.

Capardoni, meanwhile, is launching its lotion pump production in Italy. Equipped with its own assembly machines, the company reports a production capacity of several million units per month, with a minimum order quantity of 20,000 units. This setup is designed to accommodate substantial demand while keeping lead times short.

Procos has invested in a facility in Mexico to better serve its North American customers. It also operates machinery in Europe, particularly for bag production. By combining in-house manufacturing with industrial partnerships, the company can adapt its production footprint to the requirements of different markets.

The partnership between Meiyume and Pinard Beauty Pack illustrates another approach to supply chain flexibility. Meiyume represents Pinard in the US market, while customers can draw on its supply chain capabilities to shorten lead times and accelerate product development.

These strategies do not necessarily involve bringing production back home. Rather, they reflect a broader drive for flexibility, combining geographical proximity, diversified production sites and partners, and the ability to adjust volumes to meet brands’ needs.