Japanese cosmetics company FANCL Corporation worked with the Kirin Group's Packaging Innovation Research Institute to create blister packaging using by-products from the process of making beer. For this project, the company was on a mission to find an alternative to plastic for the blister packaging for its powder foundation refills. The by-product-based alternative presents a more sustainable alternative to the previous iteration made from PET, which has been replaced with hemicellulose extracted from beer lees.
Now, Kirin's Ichiban Shibori Draft Beer is even more valuable since the by-product is produces is no longer going to waste. Although it was a challenge for the collaborators to turn the material colorless and odorless, the resulting blister packaging is clear and plastic-like in appearance.
Going forward, the collaborators see the potential for this unique material to be used in other cosmetic packaging applications.
Beer-Based Blister Packs
This Blister Packaging for Cosmetic Refills is Made from Beer By-Products
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Packaging - Creating blister packaging using by-products from the process of making beer presents a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging.
2. Alternative Materials - Using hemicellulose extracted from beer lees as a material for blister packaging introduces an alternative to conventional plastic packaging.
3. Circular Economy - By repurposing beer by-products for blister packaging, this innovative approach contributes to a circular economy where waste is minimized and resources are utilized efficiently.
Industry Implications
1. Cosmetics - The cosmetic industry can explore the use of by-product-based blister packaging as a more sustainable option for various cosmetic products.
2. Beverage - The beverage industry, particularly breweries, can adopt the concept of repurposing by-products to create innovative packaging solutions for their products.
3. Packaging - The packaging industry has an opportunity to incorporate alternative materials, such as hemicellulose derived from beer lees, into various packaging applications, reducing reliance on conventional plastics.