Mondi cuts plastic usage for Kao

Goldwell is a salon-quality brand of Kao Salon Division, the world's fourth-biggest professional hair care business. Its products were previously packed in rigid plastic containers; however, working with Mondi and in line with its EcoSolutions approach, Kao is reducing the overall amount of plastic in individual packs by 80 percent.

Mondi’s innovative packs the powdered products in flexible, re-closable stand-up pouches are made of mono-material, meaning they are recyclable. The pouch is provided to the user with paper instructions inside a carton box, enabling the pouch to be stacked when stored and resulting in a lower carbon footprint than the previous packaging alternative. 

The empty pouches can be folded flat to ensure efficient transport to the factory. When filled, they provide optimum protection for the product, preventing contact with moisture or vapor, which would render it unusable. The packaging is safe as chemicals cannot diffuse through the tightly sealed packs. For convenience, the packaging is easy to reclose with a recyclable top slider and tamper-evident membrane.

‘The solution we developed with Kao contains a chemical-based product that is particularly sensitive, so we always needed to consider safety and quality. The new packs are completely secure during shipment when filled and easy to transport,’ commented Iris Ross, regional sales consumer for flexibles at Mondi. ‘Kao is passionate about making the right changes for a more sustainable world while ensuring its products' high quality and user-friendliness to deliver the best customer experience. It was a pleasure to work with the Kao team on creating this product.’

Elmar Mussenbrock, director of sustainability at Kao Salon Division, added: ‘Sustainable packaging is one of the key elements of our ESG strategy and reducing plastic is our priority – what hasn’t been produced cannot cause any harm. With its great expertise and professional approach, Mondi has enabled us to deliver a much more progressive pack for our Goldwell LightDimensions SilkLift range, reducing the carbon footprint of the packaging by 65 percent compared to its former box.’