Manufacturer reinforces move toward packaging-free personal care products

Leading manufacturer of solid format bases and natural ingredients for the personal care sector, Stephenson, is increasing its support for customers by stepping up production of products with less packaging.

As Plastic Free July begins around the world, the Leeds-based business continues to use its unique insight and expertise to help personal care brands and manufacturers address the problem of plastic pollution.

Plastic Free July is a global movement that aims to unite and educate about the effects of single-use plastics and how to get by living without them. Using collective resourcefulness and determination, the movement advocates working together to make our communities cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable.
Stephenson recently launched its first solid shampoo conditioning bar showing its ongoing commitment to sustainability in the personal care market. In addition to Stephenson’s established melt and pour range, the bar is a ready-made solid conditioner base. It is a product innovation designed to help consumers reduce the use of plastic containers and use less water during hair washing.

Earlier this year, it launched Syndopour 200-MB, a revolutionary syndet melt and pour base. Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified, the syndet base is ultra-mild and 100% soap-free, dermatologically tested to give formulators and manufacturers the ability to create a variety of mild, pH-balanced hair, body, and facial bars. The innovative product is designed to help consumers conserve water and reduce their carbon footprint.

Requiring less water as part of its formulation, resultant bars are not only kinder for the environment they also last longer than liquid soaps, further reducing the need for single-use plastic packaging. The original solid-state further reduces environmental impact, being easier to store and transport than liquid soap formats.

The business has also appointed its first-ever sustainability manager, Marie Maisonnette, to help the company understand its impact and how the formulation and manufacturing process can change the way products are formulated and manufactured to impact the planet positively.

Marie commented: “Plastic Free July serves as an environmental reminder that everyone can make a positive difference by examining buying habits and considering how best to stamp out unnecessary waste at home. The bathroom is a great place to start. Beauty products often contain or come packaged in single-use plastics, but many sustainable alternatives are available.

“Solid soap bars such as shampoos and naked shower gels are growing in popularity yearly, mainly due to increasing consumer awareness and changing preferences for more natural and plastic-free personal care products. With this as a motivating factor, consumers seek to stop buying packaged shower gels and go for plastic-free alternatives like bar soaps and recyclable pouches.

“Reusable dispensers and refill packs are crucial in the battle against single-use plastic. Beauty brands are increasingly switching to reusable dispensers and refill packs of body wash, hand wash, shampoo, and conditioners.”

A decade ago, Stephenson became the first manufacturer in the world to launch a melt and pour soap base made using 100% RSPO certified sustainable palm and palm kernel oils. Stephenson’s personal care products, exported worldwide, are used to create a wide range of finished soap bars and products by adding fragrances, colours, and other additives.

The past five years have seen consumers noticeably more conscious of their environmental impact. There has been a significant shift in consumer habits to help reduce waste, prevent global warming, and further damage the planet. In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, personal care brands are increasingly turning to concentrated and waterless products to help minimise environmental impact.

Added Marie: “Sustainability continues to be a key business driver for Stephenson as consumers continue to look at ways to limit their plastic packaging use and conserve water. Plastic Free July provides the perfect opportunity to work closely with customers across the personal care sector and consumers to remind them of their and our collective responsibilities.