LVMH and Origin Materials to partner on low-carbon footprint packaging

Origin Materials, a US company specialised in manufacturing carbon-negative and carbon-neutral materials, and LVMH Beauty, the fragrances and cosmetics division of the global leader in luxury products, have form strategic partnership to develop low-carbon footprint packaging for LVMH’s perfumes and beauty products.

Carbon-negative PET

Through this deal, LVMH Beauty is looking to buy carbon-negative PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for use in packaging for perfumes and cosmetics. In order to secure its supplies, the French group has signed a multi-year capacity reservation agreement with Origin Materials.

“At LVMH, we made the decision that our packaging will contain zero plastic from virgin fossil resources in a near future. Origin’s bioplastic technologies are playing a crucial role in helping LVMH achieve our sustainability targets without any compromise on quality,” said Claude Martinez, Executive President & Managing Director LVMH Beauty.

Renewable resources

Origin Materials has developed a technology to turn the carbon found in biomass into materials that are usually produced from fossil resources. “PET produced using Origin technology is functionally identical to petroleum-based PET, but with a dramatically lower carbon footprint since it is made from sustainable wood residues which capture carbon,” said the company in a statement.

Additionally, Origin Materials’ PET is equally recyclable to fossil-based PET within the existing infrastructure, which is critical to creating a circular economy.

“Our mission of enabling the world’s transition to sustainable materials as fast as possible is completely aligned with LVMH’s ambitious environmental initiatives. We look forward to helping LVMH reduce its carbon footprint and achieve its sustainability goals while continuing to deliver superior product experiences to its customers,” highlighted Origin Materials Co-CEO Rich Riley.

Earlier this year, Origin Materials has announced a site in Geismar, Louisiana, for the construction of its first world-scale PET manufacturing facility. The plant would convert an estimated 1 million dry metric tons of wood residues each year into products for a wide range of end markets. The plant is expected to be operational mid-2025.