Sealester, a French firm specialised in versatile packaging, was based in 2020 by Clément Fourmaux and two companions from the DeltaNeo group, primarily based on an progressive, patented digital welding know-how. This know-how can be utilized to assemble all kinds of supplies in free shapes, from prototypes to giant manufacturing runs.
“The normal welding methodology requires large-scale manufacturing for the tooling to pay for itself. Our know-how breaks down these boundaries. As a result of it really works like a 3D printer, it’s related proper from the prototyping part. We will program our instrument to make a weld for one or two fashions, take a look at sure phases, after which transfer on to mass manufacturing. We will work flexibly from a single mannequin to manufacturing runs of a number of hundred thousand elements”, explains Clément Fourmaux.
Precedence to recyclables
The Sealester ranges give attention to two forms of supplies: these primarily based on paper fibre composites mixed with a polymer movie, and people constructed from polyethylene. In each instances, the intention is to make all of it recyclable, both with a adequate fibre/plastic ratio, or due to the single-material composition.
So far as composites are involved, the corporate works with numerous movie producers in France and Italy. “It’s at all times a mix of paper and polymer with as excessive a fibre ratio as attainable, so it may be recycled within the paper trade. We selected to adjust to Citeo’s specs, which set the minimal fibre content material at 51%. In apply, we’re at 75% and attempting to go as much as 80% with extra resistant fibres, however the purposes must be validated. We’re additionally actively searching for polymer-free options with much more fibres, however proper now they don’t meet the mechanical power specs”, says the supervisor.
The bestseller Sealester is a paper-based mixture of apple fibres that offers a textured really feel and a high-end look. “For this vary, we’ve labored on technical options to satisfy particular wants. Two years in the past, we have been the primary to supply liquid refills with a paper base, and we’re nonetheless the market chief,” notes Clément Fourmaux.
These new supplies mix a number of key benefits. They provide superior safety in opposition to humidity, UV rays and oxidation, guaranteeing the security of care merchandise. They’re additionally recyclable, consistent with the ecological dedication of Sealester and its prospects.
On the Paris Packaging Week, the corporate additionally showcased the brand new Lauri pack, a large-capacity design for 750ml- or 1-litre composite refills with improved mechanical power.
“On the whole, whenever you improve the amount of versatile packaging, you improve the thickness, and subsequently lose out on ecodesign. This answer meets each the power and ecodesign standards”, explains the co-founder.
Premium embellishment
The ultimate asset of Sealester versatile options is ornament, one of many weaknesses of conventional versatile packaging.
Sealester gives a spread of papers with refined textures and finishes, together with swelling varnish, metallization, scorching foil stamping, and embossing. “Embellishment is a vital level for these merchandise. We’re eager to supply options that adjust to cosmetics codes, for manufacturers that don’t wish to injury their picture by utilizing the sort of packaging,” says Clément Fourmaux.
The one impediment identified by the Chairman is the worth. “A few of these refills are costlier than the bottle, as a result of within the discipline of versatile packaging, every mission is a novel piece requiring particular printing and calibration. However that’s one thing we’ve been engaged on,” he concludes.
