LUMENE, a leader in circular beauty, is launching a new sustainable packaging innovation: bio-based 50 ml jars to reduce environmental impacts of packaging. LUMENE’s most beloved moisturizers are now available
in significantly lighter and more compact jars compared to the previously used 50 ml jar. The new jar contains the same amount of moisturizer but requires 44% less packaging material. Its carbon footprint is up to 38% smaller compared to the previous bio-based package. The colourful monomaterial jar is fully and easily recyclable as plastic.

LUMENE has been leading circularity for over 20 years. LUMENE started utilizing raw materials derived from industrial side streams as early as in 2001. Circularity is also emphasized in LUMENE’s packaging development by reducing the use of packaging materials, increasing the recyclability of packaging, and utilizing recycled plastics and glass and renewable materials.

In August 2024, LUMENE is launching a new 50 ml jar made from bio-based* plastic, renewable side stream material of the Nordic forest industry. The jar has the same amount of moisturizer, but 44 percent less packaging material. The monomaterial package is recyclable and sorted as plastic. Additionally, the colourful packaging design of the new jar is more vibrant and impactful than before.

“Reducing the amount of packaging material is the most effective way to decrease the environmental impact of packaging. The 50 ml moisturizer jars are our most commonly used packaging format. Therefore, reducing the packaging material has a significant impact on the environment. The carbon footprint of the new jar, including its outer packaging, is 38 percent smaller compared to the previous bio-based jar we used”, says Essi Arola, Head of R&D, Packaging and Sustainability at LUMENE.  

LUMENE has conducted a life cycle assessment for the new package in accordance with ISO standards, and the study has been verified**. The analysis has assessed all environmental impact categories, such as climate, eutrophication, water footprint, and energy resource use.

At LUMENE we constantly invest in novelty technologies to improve sustainability of our packaging.

essi arola, head of r&d, packaging and sustainability

Crafted from side streams

The new bio-based jar is made from side streams of the Finnish forest industry. Tall oil, a side stream material of pulp manufacturing, serves as the raw material for producing bio-based feedstock used in plastic production.

“At LUMENE, we are continuously developing new packaging innovations in collaboration with the value chain. By 2025, our target is to have 80% of our plastic packaging to be made from recycled plastic or renewable raw materials”, Arola says.

Since the jar is made of side stream material, no additional forest logging is required. It is also recyclable within the PP stream. The project is carried out in cooperation with UPM Biofuels and the biopolymer producer SABIC that produces for example the certified renewable polymers. The new bio-based solution is based on a mass balance approach with a fully certified value chain (ISCC Plus certification).

LUMENE’s core range of moisturizers will be available in new bio-based jars from August 2024. The pricing of the moisturizers will remain unaffected by the new jar.

*Mass balance approach with certified value chain.
**A study according to ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006 standards and with a third-party verification.