Seeking a suitable alternative to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) for the base plate of their compact, Suqqu opted for the Cristal One resin from specialty materials supplier Eastman. This recyclable resin fulfilled Suqqu’s rigorous functional criteria while maintaining a luxury aesthetic.
Cristal One allows for perfect shape while providing a deep, glossy black finish that enhances the product’s luxury appeal. This could not be done with the ABS the brand previously used.
And unlike ABS, Eastman’s copolyester resin is recognized by both the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and RecyClass as being compatible with the resin identification code 1 (RIC1) stream, which means it can go directly into most municipal recycling systems.
This allowed Suqqu to design its luxury compact to align with the European Commission’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR).
“Consumers are increasingly expecting brands to deliver sustainable options for their beauty products but are unwilling to give up on the elegance and design aspects of the package,” said Tara Cary, Eastman marketing manager for cosmetic packaging. “By adopting materials like Cristal One, brands like Suqqu meet these aesthetic demands and also contribute to environmental responsibility.“
“Consumers love that this product is beautiful, durable and reusable,” Cary added. “It allows them to do their part to contribute to the environment, and it’s also designed to look like a fashion accessory that’s so beautiful you just want to show it to everyone.“
According to Eastman, since its launched in February, Suqqu’s setting powder in the Cristal One compact case has significantly exceeded expectations, achieving over 187% of the brand’s monthly target sales. The product is available online and in stores in Japan and overseas.