Fixing jewels to plastic

HotFix is a decoration process developed in partnership between RPC and the famous jewellery brand Swarovski. HotFix enables patterns of Swarovski stones to be affixed to plastic cosmetics packaging. This technique has been developed to offer brands a cost-effective way to add value to cosmetic packaging. Until now, the only available technique required applying each individually by hand, “which was significantly expensive and limited its use to special editions,” explains Gérald Martines, Business Development Director at RPC. “HotFix represents the first time that the placement of gemstones into plastic has been achieved on an industrial basis,” he adds.

The technology can be applied to ‘plain’ plastic (in any classic cosmetic polymer), lacquered or plated parts, and can be overmoulded or combined with other decoration and finishing techniques. RPC is offering HotFix for a wide variety of cosmetics packaging types, including lipsticks, mascaras, glosses, compacts and closures.

RPC is convinced that the automation opens the technology to mainstream cosmetics packaging as well as high-end luxury applications. “By using HotFix, capacity can match typical production outputs for million-unit ‘blockbuster’ launches as well as limited series,” says Gérald Martines.

Alternative to varnishing

EcoCoat, RPC’s other new launch, offers an environmental-friendly alternative to varnishing through the overmoulding of a thin coat of transparent polymer on top of a plastic component. “The technique has been developed to respond to the demand for luxury packaging that is more sustainable and ecologically friendly,” says RPC.

The objective here is to achieve a coating using only an extremely thin skin, of no more than a few tenths of a millimetre to achieve high gloss and depth of finish without the inconvenience of varnishing. “Logistics and handling are significantly simplified and reduced, while EcoCoat avoids the emission of greenhouse gases associated with varnishing,” claims Gérald Martines.

The thin coating can be specified in a number of styles, including clear, tinted, or incorporating metallic or pearlescent pigments. EcoCoat can also be applied over any standard decoration technique. For example, the application of EcoCoat over traceability marking or holographic labels protects these devices from tampering.