Tubes

American Health Packaging
www.americanhealthpackaging.com

Of all the different sorts of plastic containers, squeeze tubes will gain market share the fastest, predicts market researcher The Freedonia Group (Cleveland). Why such an incredible performance?

It must be the squeeze factor. Consumers seem to love the interaction with the tube package. Through squeezing, they can control dispensing. Why do you think that no other container format has made such strong inroads into the toothpaste market, to mention only one example?

Earth-Friendly Tube

A third company is now part of a supply agreement. The Filling Station and Qualis Packaging (both of Flemington, NJ) joined forces last April to supply small container filling and tube filling, among other services. The new partnership offers a combined 15 years of experience to customers.

Now, Le Papillon Ltd. (New Brunswick, NJ) is aboard, further strengthening customer offerings and adding another 35 years of experience to the team.

The agreement was formalized in 2008, when Qualis became a subsidiary of Le Papillon.

Alcan Packaging Beauty has won an award from the European Tube Manufacturers Association. The supplier of tube, fragrance, and cosmetics packaging received the Best Laminate Tube 2009 distinction for its production of Bye-Bye Spot, Nivea’s latest addition to its Visage Young line.

The dispensing options for tubes are increasing. While product formulations often dictate head selection, audience preferences, too, play roles. Product viscosity determines what heads can be used, but the decision also depends upon the desired amount of product to be dispensed at one time, explains Lou Della Pesca, president of 3C Inc. (Wyckoff, NJ).

For instance, while eye care products and body lotions have similar viscosities, consumers have different dispensing preferences.

Essel Propack, a global specialty packaging company promoted by the Essel Group, is introducing a laminated tube with a unique, high-luster, metallic finish. Using a nine-layer structure incorporating PET and EVOH barrier properties, Egnite is as close to a foil-based laminate tube without the costs associated with foil, reports Ted Sojourner, Essel Propack’s regional vice president for the Americas.

Bogar AG (Wallisellen, Switzerland) produces a full line of products for dogs, cats, and horses. Often employing natural ingredients like plant extracts for its formulas, Bogar requires packaging that can preserve its contents.

One such product is Bogacare Zeckenmittel Margosa Spot-on, which is made of Margosa extract and registered as a biocide for repelling ticks, mites, and fleas from dogs and cats for about 2–4 weeks after each application.