The U.S. manufacturer of packaging solutions has co-developed and produced a refill made from its Knoll Ecoform Molded Pulp for Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale The New Longevity Cream.

Knoll Packaging reports that this pioneering refill stems from more than three years of joint research and development, during which the two companies’ innovation teams collaborated to design, test, and validate a molded pulp solution able to protect delicate skincare formulas. “It required the creation of new methods to assess its performance and meet Guerlain’s exacting quality standards. More than 9,500 test pieces were produced and over 80 airtightness tests carried out,” says Knoll Packaging.

Actually, the development had to address both functional and aesthetic challenges. As molded cellulose pulp is typically used for secondary packaging, the Knoll Ecoform solution required specific adaptation to protect the product and preserve the cream’s integrity. A polymer film was therefore incorporated into the packaging to ensure optimal product preservation.

In order to meet the luxury brand’s aesthetic requirements, a specific attention was brought surface treatments and to the pack geometry.

Knoll Packaging’s Ecoform Molded Pulp is produced from renewable plant-based materials, including bagasse (a byproduct of sugarcane processing) and certified wood fibers.

"Our collaboration with Guerlain demonstrates how technical innovation in packaging can accelerate sustainability in the luxury sector. This launch redefines what is possible with molded pulp — proving it can deliver both protection and prestige. It our possibly the biggest innovation breakthrough in Knoll Packaging’s over 40-year history," said Noemie Leblond, European Manager, Knoll Packaging.

"Eco-design, driving force behind innovation at Guerlain, is reflected in this unprecedented cellulose refill, opening up new perspectives for our products and, more generally, for refills in the cosmetics industry," added Claire Coletti, Global Sustainability Director of Guerlain.

The innovation recently won a Formes de Luxe Award in the “Best Refill” category at the Luxe Pack Monaco show.