Aethic, the London-based skincare company that launched Sôvée, world’s only scientifically proven ecocompatible sunscreen, is to be the first cosmetics company to use a clear filmic packaging material specially developed by Italian MATER-BI manufacturer Novamont.
The material is to debut with Aethic’s next production run of its sunscreens and face creams.
Being based on an efficient use of renewable resources and presenting sustainable end-of-life options, MATER-BI packaging now represents an environmentally-friendly alternative to the existing products.
The new MATER-BI grade developed for Aethic is in fact made from sustainably-sourced starch based ingredients, promoting the setting up of innovative agro-industrial value chains and the use of local raw materials cultivated on marginal land. Moreover, its production process adopts a “cascading” approach to biomass and has low carbon emissions and the end material is biodegradable and compostable according to the European standard EN 13432.
Aethic initiated the collaboration after it had already adopted a sugar cane-derived material for its bottles.
Says Allard Marx, CEO of Aethic: “I vividly remember holding a bio-plastic Mickey Mouse watch made from this material in my hand when consulting for Novamont in 1989. I never forgot the company and had recently heard that their material was now used for magazine wraps and disposable carrier bags. I asked them to develop a MATER-BI grade that would hold its fold, heat- seal easily, be sustainable, biodegradable and look great. They promptly and successfully rose to the challenge. I am absolutely delighted that we can now protect our products responsibly.”
MATER-BI is used successfully in a variety of other applications and Novamont’s revenues are in excess of €145m worldwide. Aethic’s skincare range is stocked at leading retailers and its Sôvée sunscreen was recently announced as the official sunscreen of UK’s America’s Cup challenger Land Rover BAR.
Adds Alessandro Ferlito, Novamont Sales Manager: “Consumer brands like Aethic are the future. We have no choice but to take care of the only planet we have and Aethic leads the way in preventing damage to the environment. It is a pleasure to have developed this version of MATER-BI with them and we hope other cosmetics companies will soon follow their lead and adopt this material”.