Luxe Pack Monaco: Luxury smart packaging

Idice enjoys success with Luxe Pack 2014, which garners praise from “audiences and critics”: more exhibitors (400), more visitors (+15% compared to 2013) and many new additions. In the forefront, as always, is the organizers’ attention to quality and packaging aesthetics, but also, in particular, technological advances and the evolution of the global luxury market.

The far-reaching international event Luxe Pack 2014 showcased as much the creative capacities and innovations of many producers of exclusive materials and packaging as the industrial solutions that meet sustainability and safety standards.

High end economy. Beyond the striking sights that never fail to move attendees at the Monaco fair, the event gave ample space to applied technologies, with fascinating reflections on the advances of 3D and digital printing, techniques capable of enhancing the sensory impact of packaging, which is to say those finishing processes or accessories that render a packaging even more unique, interactive and functional - in a word, “smart” and luxury. Such is the case of Powercoat (Arjowiggins paper with an incorporated electronic chip), the antibacterial film proposed by Derprosa, the Pulse Cap safety closure system for wines and spirits by Guala Closures, the new decoration solutions designed by Kurz and the Pochet Group’s “E-motion”, where light design meets packaging.
In line with the philosophy of B2B events, the packaging object (a privileged conduit bridging brand and consumer) becomes for the operators the protagonist of commercial transactions that circulate in a now borderless market. And that’s why this year Luxe Pack offered many opportunities to learn about potential packaging buyers and the quality of their relationships with suppliers, in addition to drawing attention to key geographic areas for the development of luxury packaging. For example, the potential spending of the Chinese market in particular was investigated in terms of its unique consumption models, an expression of a cultural and social orientation balancing Confucianism and capitalism, Buddhism and communist ideology.
There was no lack, then, of close looks at the overall performance of the luxury market and outsourcing activities in the cosmetics/perfume sector (to which was dedicated the new “Luxe Formulation” space).
The schedule of the numerous encounters focusing on these issues was extensive, and the attendance at these discussions evidenced the collective thirst for updates.

An award for “eco” thinking. Returning to packaging, worth particular mention is the Luxe Pack in Green award for sustainable innovation. Once again this year, there were numerous nominations but just one winner: Euro Cosmetic Asia took home the prize for its cosmetics jar with refill T-Eco (Technology! Think Eco). The solution proposed by the Japanese manufacturer was appreciated as much for its drastic reduction in overall weight (40%) and the simplicity of inserting and extracting the refill, as for the masterful in mould labeling on the external container, which preserves the brand image event after many uses.

Also particularly important is the special mention with which the jury of experts chose to recognize the German Heinz Glas, which is committed to developing the hard-hit region in which it operates (Upper Franconia, in Bavaria, referred to by some as “Germany’s Siberia”, Editor’s note), in order to counteract the marginalization of the region and the emigration of its inhabitants. The concern has initiated a program of reducing its CO2 emissions, and, having re-populated the Frankenwald with highland cattle, is investing in a large greenhouse for the cultivation of tropical fruit which has quickly become a tourist attraction, to the point of sustaining the proliferation of hotel services and robust profits.                                           

SEEN AT LUXE PACK 2014 In the following, some packaging products and solutions on show.

Asia Pulp and Paper Group - Aptar Group - Gruppo Cordenons - Cosfibel Premium - Dupont - Eurostampa - Favini - Fontana Grafica - Grafiche Bramucci - Guala Closures - Italstereo - Luxoro

Paper, tissue, packaging in the nameof environmental sustainability
Asia Pulp and Paper Group

Every day, their products reach consumers in various branded forms all over the world. We are speaking of one of the world’s largest pulp and paper companies, Asia Pulp and Paper Group (APP), which is responsible for delivering quality products to meet the growing global demand for tissue, packaging and paper. Started in 1972 with Tjiwi Kimia producing caustic soda, now the group runs operations across Indonesia and China with an annual combined pulp, paper, packaging product and converting capacity of over 19 million tons per annum (today, APP markets its products in more than 120 countries across 6 continents).Over the years, they have expanded their operations significantly through the acquisition and expansion of several pulp and paper mills. Crucial for the group is the commitment to maintain the supply chain, along with environmental friendliness, thanks to a precise policy of forest conservation and respect for the ecosystem.

Dispensing systems and packaging for high cosmetics
Aptar Group

Among the many proposals on show at Luxe Pack, we highlight Aptar Group’s Serumony, a drop counter for top range serums that delivers maximum precision.
The minimalistic design offers a one-touch gesture to dispense beauty serums: With light pressure Serumony provides an accurate dose of formula while retaining its hygienic properties. The pack is iconic, elegant, and offers infinite customization possibilities to communicate brand identity.
For an on-the-go cosmetics consumption, Aptar  in turn offers a new version of Cosm’in: an, extra flat, reclosable, flexible pouch, that ensures a controlled dispensing of the product with a userfriendly jar-like gesture. The multilayer foil is compatible with  products of a viscosity between 5,000cps to 80,000cps, hence creams, foundation and suncare  products…  The standard rectangular shape allows for fill volume between 3ml-20ml as well as providing a large surface area for strong brand visibility.
 

Fine and technical papers for special productions
Gruppo Cordenons

Awarded for their creativity, innovation and will to produce in respect of the environment, Papermilk paper has already won the Cordenons Group the Luxury British Packaging Awards for best luxury packaging in the shopping bag category. Presented in style also in Luxe Pack, it is a paper produced with milk-, cotton linters and pure pulp fibres from FSC® certified, responsibly managed sources. Made in the format 72x102 and weights of 140, 250, 350 grams it is one of Cordenons’ tactile papers: velvety effect and  pleasing to  touch natural softness, printable in offset, thermography, hot foil stamping, embossing, printing and laser.
Natural Evolution Recy is in turn the new entry in the Natural Evolution range: It contains 30% FSC® certified recycled fibre and has a natural shade somewhere between ivory and white.

Packaging and promo merchandising
Cosfibel Premium

The annual engagement with Luxe Pack enables Cosfibel Premium to launch original packaging solutions that encourage new gestures and modes of consumption.
This is the case of Convertible box, containing a product that gives the impression of floating in mid-air. Devised for cosmetics or spirits, it turns into a display by sliding the lid towards the top. Open or closed the box takes up the same space.
Ultralight Beauty Box is also both coffret and display, featuring as an icon of luxury while being fully sustainable. The card used, even though sturdy, is in fact extremely light and easily recyclable, and the transparency of the thermoformed wedge on which the product rests underlines the lightness of the entire solution.

The  creative potential of Surlyn®
DuPont

The big names of perfumery and cosmetics continue to explore the potential offered by the DuPont™ Surlyn®  resin, to which the producer dedicates the space at Luxe Pack (the socalled  “Maison Surlyn).
Among the many applications on show at Monaco, we cite Grandiôse Mascara by Lancôme, with the special “Swan-Neck” applicator patented by the cosmetics producer: Indeed, the Lancôme rose with petals in suspension had to flourish in a perfectly transparent component while lining up perfectly with the wand of the mascara. MBF Plastiques worked a lot on the injection, thus obtaining a seamless piece.
Givenchi uses Surlyn® for the tops of its iconic scent “Ange ou Démon”.
Ever different decoration and coloring techniques, optimum optical and aesthetic qualities: at each new version, the resin expresses an extraordinary capacity to adapt to change, allowing the container to evolve without having to redesign it over.

Prime labels for special products and LabelActive
Eurostampa

In 2014  Eurostampa again participated at Luxe Pack with an innovative stand, showcasing its knowhow and featuring groundbreaking labels and innovative solutions such as “LabelActive”, capable of making every single label interactive.
Developed in collaboration with StampaTech, this smart label can be read by smartphones in its entirety (it does not contain any QRcode) to glean all the information about the product on which it is applied. You only need to install the especially designed free app on your mobile, point and retrieve the detailed information ...In addition to this high-tech solution, the company offers its more traditional range of labels that can “become emotion” (as stated in the payoff), the result of painstaking research into high quality papers, inks and special anti-counterfeiting systems.  

Eurostampa has been operating since 1966 as a manufacturer of paper or self-adhesive quality labels, as well as sleeves and cases, featuring offset-, flexographic-, screen and digital printing. It has exported its business model from its home territory (Bene Vagienna, CN) to North America and the UK, respectively, with the opening of its second production facilities in Cincinnati and the third in Glasgow. In 2014 it created Eurostampa Workshop, a skillcentre for following and supporting its Californian customers in the heart of Napa Valley. The company also has sales offices in Spain (Barcelona) and in Russia (Moscow) in addition to its sales divisions in Germany, France and Mexico.

Graphics specialties based on natural raw materials
Favini

Lavender and cherry are the ingredients of Favini’s new Crush card, giving rise to new, surprising nuances.
The manufacturer thus brings to Luxe Pack an evolution of the Crush range, designed for luxury and fashion industries and made with residue from agro industrial processing, a historic event in ecological papers and winning it the  Luxe Pack in Green Award in 2012. The entire Crush range (GMO free and FSC certified) enables excellent printing and processing, enabling the creation of brochures, shoppers, tags, packaging and even more creative projects.
It is made with 100% self-produced green energy and contains 30% post-consumer recycled fibre. At the fair, Favini also presented other lines of products for the luxury packaging, including Secure Suite, the exclusive series of technologically advanced anti-counterfeiting solutions.

Materials for coating: new concepts
Fontana Grafica

Specialized in the supply of high quality coating materials (made available worldwide thanks to its partnership with Winter&Company), Fontana Grafica has confirmed  its commitment to R&D in paper and fine surfaces, as well as in consumption materials for graphic arts, binding and luxury packaging
In this arena, of particular interest is the BBB Concept (bags, books, boxes), a new approach (still in the development phase on certain Corvon® range materials) offered as a single solution for consistently communicating a brand’s image. It’s based on an act of turning a paradigm upside down, thanks to which Fontana Grafica doesn’t simply supply materials for coating (used, for example, to produce high quality books), but a product already in the suitable format for production of shopping bags and boxes, in such a way skipping the step of lamination.
Also worth mention, Wibalin® Direct food contact (DFC), a paper that is suitable for direct contact with food products, recyclable and biodegradable, as well as compliant with governing laws.

Printing and converting: there’s a first time for everything
Grafiche Bramucci

Founded in 1966, Grafiche Bramucci, in its original headquarters at Sesto San Giovanni (MI), has always operated in the luxury sector (in particular cosmetics), having initially specialized in a refined artisan production of rigid caskets and coated boxes, completely handmade.
The story of this family concern has been marked, over the years, by the search for the new, in addition to a certain perfectionism. It’s not by chance that, during the ‘80s, it was one of the first Italian concerns to adopt UV offset printing techniques: a clear sign of distinction, thanks to this technique’s capacity for printing on diverse materials and, still today and in many cases, what makes the difference in the market.
Participating at Luxe Pack for the first time, Grafiche Bramucci proposes to the international market its tested experience in high profile paper converting and undisputed leadership in printing and finishing technologies. And that’s not to forget that the value of a complete and attentive consulting service, treasured by cosmetics and perfume sector buyers for its sensitivity and attention to research on suitable and original materials and solutions.
And while it’s true that, over time, the market has imposed new rules (often cruel ones), unleashing “de-personalized” relations, Francesca Bramucci – who today runs the concern alongside her father - has no doubt: «quality and professionalism continue to be the cornerstone of our success».

Closures for spirits, wines and beverages
Guala Closures

Leading edge technologies, luxury materials, an infinite variety of finishes for the latest “premium decorative” Guala Closures, devised for big spirits brands. They are made with a particularly innovatory polymeric material, cold to the touch for a “chic metal” effect and heavier than normal for a “premium” effect.
The process, as well as guaranteeing quality and sturdiness, is conceived with an eye to environmental sustainability (limited carbon emissions, chrome and nickel free, less waste) and can be used to produce a broad range of personalisable closures. For this purpose Guala Closures uses various decorative techniques, with metalized effects and different textures: a further support for the brand, that benefits from the synergy of the closure with the design of the bottle and graphics of the label.

Seals, resin coated labels and 3D brands in ABS
Italstereo

Featuring technology and consolidatedknowhow  at the show Italstereo Srl, highlighted its adhesive wax seals for adorning and embellishing bottles of wine, cognac and spirits in general, but also food cans and packs.
Just like its resin coated labels, thick labels and 3D logos, part of the core production of Tuscan company, these seals that have an “old” flavour, enhance the packaging from the point of view of image and personalization.
Italstereo autonomously runs the production process: from the creation and layout of the logo to the computerized cutting plotters, from screenprinting (now complete with offset technology and high-resolution digital) to computerised resin application carried out with cutting edge technologies offering high precision.

Decoration with hot and cold stamping
Luxoro

The exclusive distributor in Italy of Kurz foils, Luxoro, in order to demonstrate the efficacy and wide spectrum of applications of this product, focused on the brilliance and warmth of “its” color of the year, Tangeri Bronze (foil Luxor®/Alufin®347), on the 5Pointz label created for the Michele Chiarlo winery, at tables decorated by artist Mario Benvenuto.
Also appealing are the solutions developed by Kurz, such as the new Digital Metal® process, which enables obtaining custom metallized effects on digital prints, also suitable for small runs: toner printing is followed by the application of a metallized foil, which can be overprinted with any color – digital or offset – in such a way creating a wide range of tones (alternately, in the final step, it is possible to add a holographic effect). Since the pre-printing phase is digitally controlled, it is possible to insert personalized content (serial numbers, ad hoc designs…).
Finally, worth mention is “Brand Enhancement by Kurz”, designed to protect, decorate and communicate a brand in a single solution. It consists in a line that includes appealing decorative and security elements, as well as “Trustcode” (a web-based identification, information and communication system).