With the New Year comes a new series here on BEAUTYDIRECTORY. Introducing the sustainability switch – a series that will highlight the positive changes beauty brands are making in order to become more environmentally friendly.
Last week, L’OCCITANE Group announced a pledge, whereby the company will commit to 100% PET plastic bottles by 2025. Following the statement, BEAUTYDIRECTORY spoke to L'Occitane Group sustainable development director Raphaelle Archambeaud-Sicot and packaging concept & director Corinne Fugier-Garrel to find out more about the new initiative.
Since it launched in 1976, L’OCCITANE en Provence prioritised sustainability and protecting the planet. Initiatives such as recycling packaging in-store has been happening for almost 30 years, as well as the integration of 100% recycled plastic for many bottled products.
More recently however, the company started looking for a partner who could help it overcome the complex challenges that the cosmetics industry faces when it comes to packaging. Enter Loop Industries, a provider of virgin quality recycled PET plastics that fit the bill perfectly for L’OCCITANE.
"The technology that Loop provides is highly innovative and thus absolutely in line with our forward-thinking strategy and innovative business approach," said Archambeaud-Sicot and Fugier-Garrel.
"Loop Industries is a technology innovator in sustainable plastic. Their 100% upcycled Loop™ branded PET plastic and polyester resin provides brand owners a tool they need to help meet their sustainable packaging goals and join the circular economy – because Loop keeps plastic in the economy and out of landfills, and our shared rivers, oceans and natural areas. We are confident in our decision to partner with Loop and excited to embark on a journey together that will entirely transform L’OCCITANE'S approach to plastic."
In terms of how this will impact the brands packaging, that won't be an issue as Loop's technology means the PET recycled plastic can be adhered to the clear bottles that L’OCCITANE currently uses.
"Up until now we have been able to introduce recycled PET on dark colour products (for example, Immortelle Precious dark blue bottles, Men dark brown bottes, Men Homme cologne Cedrat blue bottles, Hair Cair dark green bottles) but not on products where transparency was needed...Loop Industries provides virgin quality recycled PET, which will enable us to resolve these problems. It’s a real game-changer for us and we are very excited to partner with them," Archambeaud-Sicot and Fugier-Garrel explained.
The L’OCCITANE Group is committed to limiting its impact on the environment at every possible step, from product formulation and sustainable packaging through to final product distribution. But in terms of the packaging, as it waits for 2025, the business will continue to improve from 30% recycled plastic by using mechanically recycled PET wherever it can.
For more information, contact L’OCCITANE Australia brand manager Julie Chan - Julie.CHAN@loccitane.com
Image (left to right): Sarah Pricaz, Mareting Vice President, L’OCCITANE, David Bayard, Technical Packaging Development Dircetor, L’OCCITANE, Rapahelle Archambeaud-Sicot, Sustainable Development Director, L’OCCITANE, Nelson Switzer, Chief Growth Officer, Loop Industries and Corinne Fugier-Garrel, Packaking Concept Design Director, L’OCCITANE
