French luxury packaging material company conducts surface treatment tests on recycled aluminium

G. Pivaudran, a French company specialising in metal processing to make stoppers, caps and coverings for perfumes, cosmetics and spirits packaging, demonstrated  surface treatment tests made on recycled aluminium during the Édition Spéciale by Luxe Pack show in Paris. 

The tests show promising results notwithstanding the limitations.  Though aluminium is infinitely recyclable, the use of recycled material in the luxury packaging sector faces several challenges. The French company, which has a reputation of using only high-purity aluminium, has starter a series of technical tests to understand what proportion of recycled aluminium could be used for luxury packaging markets.

In theory, aluminium is infinitely recyclable. However, the use of recycled qualities in the luxury sector faces several challenges. G. Pivaudran’s technical tests on aesthetic treatments show aluminium offers very good results for matt and satin effects.

“However, we still have a lot of R&D work to do in order to adapt our processes to obtain better glossy effects,” explained Hervé Delaigue, Sales & Business Development Director.

The mechanical qualities of aluminium have thrown some challenges in design and the company has planned further tests to adapt its know-how in stamping to recycled aluminium.

Brands are keen on using more recycled aluminium in their packaging; however, they are still hesitant in replacing pure aluminium by recycled materials for already launched products due to the aesthetic differences.

“The results we achieved with recycled aluminium can nevertheless be very interesting for new projects that, from the outset, are designed with a strong ambition for sustainability,” added Hervé Delaigue.

G. Pivaudran’s environmental commitment is not only limited to these experiments. The company follows a responsible policy regarding waste management starting from production to administration and reduced its energy and water consumption significantly.

“Today, we collect and recycle or reuse all of our production waste and we are proud of that,” said Marc Pivaudran, President of the company.