Beiersdorf to use plant-based plastics in packaging from 2021

The Hamburg-based multinational Beiersdorf has announced plans to launch more sustainably packed cosmetics on the market from 2021 as part of a collaboration with the Saudi chemical group Sabic. Renewable polypropylene (PP) produced by Sabic will replace plastic made from fossil raw materials. Beiersdorf plans to switch to a circular economy by 2025 and to halve its use of petroleum-based plastic. 

By-product of paper industry

The partial switch to polypropylene packaging will conserve fossil raw materials and reduce emissions during production, according to Beiersdorf. The plant-based plastic is obtained from a by-product of the paper industry and is more environment-friendly than conventional petroleum-based plastic. Sabic's polypropylene is accredited under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) and is certified as renewable.

Commenting on Beiersdorf's pioneering role, Michael Becker, Head of Global Packaging R&D at Beiersdorf, said: "We are driving this issue forward energetically and are proud to be the first in our mass market segment to use PP made from renewable, plant-based raw materials as a packaging material for cosmetics."
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