Elemis and Morro join forces for plastic-free innovation

The two companies are collaborating to create biodegradable sampling sachets

By Wendy Golledge

24 October 2023

www.elemis.com/

Skincare brand Elemis has joined forces with plant-based material maker, Morro, to create plastic-free biodegradable sampling sachets.

Together, their ambition is to replace traditional plastic sample sachets with new materials. The new sachets will be made from the left-over waste from Elemis’s plant crops.

Xampla – a technology start-up spin-out from the University of Cambridge – launched the natural consumer brand Morro last month.

Morro materials use plant feedstocks and are natural, biodegradable and sustainably sourced.

Morro's plant-based sachets break down safely and quickly, without leaving behind pollutants

Creating plastic-free solutions for spa products

Over the next six months, Xampla and Elemis will work to turn the left-over plant waste from product production into biofilm.

This is a heat sealable film that can replace the single-use plastics currently used to package samples of Elemis’s skincare products.

There are currently no plastic-free alternatives to traditional sachets, which are used by many spa brands to showcase products.

"This project further reflects our commitment to finding new opportunities to have a positive impact on planet and people, and move the dial on key environmental or social challenges.”

Oriele Frank

Co-founder, chief product and sustainability officer at Elemis

Plastic-free innovations

The project has been supported by a grant co-funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK.

Morro natural materials will be extensively tested to demonstrate their market capabilities when used with Elemis products.

"Our collaboration with Elemis unlocks significant potential for the cosmetics industry. We are proud to have pioneered our breakthrough material using plant feedstocks. Now we're looking to transform waste materials an innovative solution to replace plastic sachets.”

Pete Hutton

Chairman, Xampla

The partnership was facilitated by PlasticFree.com, founded by Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet.

“This is the kind of inventive and collaborative approach that is required to create change in the industry and to facilitate the next generation of packaging,” said Sutherland.

Launched in January 2023, PlasticFree is a materials and system-change solution platform, created to discover alternative materials and evolve best practise.

Last month, Elemis announced a new partnership with Beauty Banks to help end UK hygiene poverty. The skincare leader will be powering an electric van to help the charity reach more people in London and the southeast.

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