Unilever’s paper-based detergent bottles

Global FMCG giant Unilever is using a new technology to create paper-based laundry detergent bottles. The bottles will be made of sustainably sourced pulp, and designed to be recycled in standard paper waste streams.

A prototype is being developed for its OMO detergent brand, also known as Persil, Skip and Breeze, depending on the country. It is set to debut in Brazil by early 2022, and the company is also piloting the same technology to create paper-based hair care bottles.

The technology has been developed in partnership with the Pulpex consortium – a collaboration between Unilever, Diageo, Pilot Lite and other industry members.

Unilever’s packaging scientists will run a range of tests to see how the the new bottles perform in real-life situations – from transportation to storage in damp environments. It’s important that they fulfil the requirements in terms of durability, user experience and reduction of environmental impact.

The inside of the bottles is sprayed with a coating that repels water, enabling the material to hold liquid products, like laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioners, which contain surfactants, fragrances and other active ingredients.

“To tackle plastic waste, we need to completely rethink how we design and package products,” said Richard Slater, Unilever’s chief R&D officer. “This requires a drastic change that can only be achieved through industry-wide collaboration. Pulpex paper bottle technology is an exciting step in the right direction, and we are delighted to be working together to try this innovation for our products.”