At a recent conference, Quadpack CEO Tim Eaves reflected on 2019 and considered the state of the industry in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
According to Eaves, the company had a strong year. Quadpack’s 2019 sales were €131 million ($155.5 million), a 25% increase over 2018 results. Staff and production facilities benefited from a boost following the acquisition of Louvrette. The transaction allowed Quadpack to increase its injection molding capacity and to strengthen its foothold in Germany, one of the top five cosmetics markets in Europe.
 
Launches in 2019
 
“We have three divisions focused on the skincare, make-up and perfume segments,” Eaves explained. Each division had multiple successful launches in 2019:
 
In skincare, Quadpack decorated a range of sprays and disc-top cap bottles with a collar made of sustainably-sourced wood, to create an instant eco-chic effect. The company also extended Louvrette’s Regula jar range with Regula Light, which uses up to 50% less material.
 
In make-up, Eaves said the focus was on the sustainable premium trend. The company extended its YouWood range – part of our Q-Line family of products – with a new refillable lipstick.
 
In terms of fragrances, the company launched Eco-warrior, its “most extreme, eco-friendly fragrance pack to date.” Reusable and easily recyclable, it features the minimum number of components, including a light-weight glass bottle and a one-piece cap made of sustainably-sourced cork.
 
Environment
 
“Sustainability underpins all our activity and is one of the five pillars of our 2020-2025 business strategy,” Eaves commented. “We have a roadmap that aims to ensure we have a positive impact on society and the environment, by pioneering sustainable transformation in three areas: people, processes and products.”
 
As a part of its environmental commitment, the company is moving towards becoming a carbon-neutral, zero-waste operation. Its biomass plant at Quadpack Wood is a great example:
 
“Late last year, we signed an agreement with Sulapac, a pioneer in sustainable microplastic-free materials,” Eaves said. “As Sulapac's Preferred Global Cosmetics Packaging Partner Programme, we will provide microplastic-free packaging to beauty brands worldwide. First to be launched was the Nordic Collection, a complete range of cosmetics jars which pushes the limits of sustainability.”
 
Impact of Covid-19
 
“The beauty packaging sector is amazingly resilient but, of course, no company is unaffected,” Eaves remarked. “Like everyone else, our priority has always been the safety of our employees, partners, clients and their loved ones. And, like everyone else, the situation has impacted our sales. However, I am gratified that our business strategy for 2020-2025 is being validated, seeing us through the crisis. This is based on five pillars: global expansion, agility, collaborative innovation, sustainability and being a great place to work.”
 
Looking ahead, Eaves sees collaborative innovation as the way forward. Its partnerships with Sulapac and Inotech are examples of that.
 
“Through German engineering company Inotech, we acquired our first, world-exclusive patented manufacturing technology late last year. Bi-injection blow-moulding will enable us to make great strides in packaging innovation. Through joint R&D with Inotech, we aim to exploit the technology and plan to unveil the first results in 2021. By working with experts in different areas – like airless, new materials and new processes – we can come up with unexpected concepts and change the way we think and work,” Eaves said.