Colep develops light weight cans for Henkel’s Syoss hair care range

Developed using tinplate, the new design aims to provide customers with a more sustainable packaging solution, thanks to the fact it uses less materials, while also saving on energy and water in the production process.

The new spray cans are the result of a considerable development project that entailed mathematical models to gauge the exact amount of material necessary to ensure quality, while keeping the amount of material to a minimum.

Focusing on the three metal components​

Colep industrial director Jose Olivera explained that the project entailed an in depth analysis of the three principle components that make up the can to assess where and how the material use could be reduced.

“In this case, we are reducing the wall thickness of the aerosols by around 22%, using ‘double reduction’ material - harder material with lower wall thickness - in combination with a new seaming station,”​ Olivera said.

“In this way, we can obtain the same performance, mechanical and chemical resistance assuring all the safety requests.”​

Reduction of 18% in material weight​

The development team says that this work resulted in the weight of the new Syoss cans being reduced by 18%, a feat that it considers significant, as the previous design had already employed light weight design techniques.

“Our continued commitment to reduce our environmental footprint by teaming up with strategical suppliers to work on sustainable joint development projects has been proven again with Colep,” ​said Philippe Blank, head of packaging innovation and sustainability at Henkel’s Beauty Care Division.

“Finally, the new double-reduced tinplate aerosol cans deliver an important contribution to reach our corporate sustainability goals to achieve more with less and enable us to save up to 1,000 tons of CO2.”​

The new can design are available in 400ml and 500ml sizes and in addition to the Syoss brand, are also likely to be used for the company’s Inola, Rilken, Silhouette and Coiffeur brands.