Bringing passion to packaging in 2024
Anomatic remains a strong force in the industry, specializing in processing aluminum for packaging in makeup, skincare, personal care, pharma, fragrance, cosmetics, and wine and spirits. The group is reaping the rewards of its strategy that focuses on continual investments and enhancements in capability around aluminum, all while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability and the environment. The result is growing demand from around the world, especially in Europe, developing traction with high-end luxury brands.
Our strengths — an editorial from Eric Leray, Vice President of Sales
As 2023 comes to an end, our industrial and commercial strengths are important as well as our continuous advancements in innovation.
First, we have expanded our sustainable alloy product offerings with alloys that contain PCR as well as products produced with lower GHG footprints. Our unique and exclusive evercycle™ material contains 100% recycled content, with its 2024 SCS certification guaranteeing a minimum of 94% recycled content, the balance being PIR content. We have already launched our first large-scale application in the U.S. beauty sector. In addition, we have expanded our eco-friendly stock packaging range to include a new size of our all-aluminum 2-piece jar lid — a 33/400 suitable for 7mL jars.
When it comes to our other strengths, our customers and prospects are clearly seeing us in a new light. We used to be considered only as a component supplier for pumps and cosmetic packaging, but now, our metallization, decoration, and injection molding capabilities position us to provide a full packaging solution for the world's leading brands.
While we continue to be a key component supplier to major beauty brands, it's our vertical integration that allows us to support customers on a larger scale. Some recent applications include the full package solution for La Mer's The Lip Balm, as well as full finished caps for high-end fragrances, all produced in-house. We are now considered a one-stop-shop packaging supplier.
Customers are supplementally reassured by the fact that we perform all our metal tooling design and development in-house at our Naugatuck, Connecticut, facility. This is our center of excellence for metal stamping and development, with millions invested in state-of-the-art equipment to provide speed to market.
Now more than ever, customers know they can depend on Anomatic as a supplier of high-quality and innovative packaging solutions. We are also considered to be a leader in the metals industry in terms of sustainability. With continued advancements and investments in the pipeline, we look forward to continuing our mission to provide high-end innovative solutions with a focus on sustainable products and processes.
Capitalizing on the benefits of aluminum
The beauty and cosmetics industries are focusing more and more on the environmental benefits of aluminum. With 75% of aluminum already produced still in use today, it is also the Earth's most abundant element, making it an exceptional material for use in packaging. The anodization process does not impede recyclability and still allows for a more premium look to packaging with its color brilliance and variety of finishes. Customers benefit from its exceptional environmental performance as well as its aesthetic appeal.
The exclusive evercycle™ aluminum material is a perfect example. Developed in partnership with Novelis, it guarantees just 1.0 MT of GHGs (MTCO2e) emissions in the manufacturing process, which is an 89% reduction in GHG compared to the industry average. In the most recent 2024 certifications from SCS, material lots have been at 94% PCR content — unparalleled in the industry. This alloy can be used for any of Anomatic's mono-material stock line 2-piece jar covers, as well as in most customized mono-material packaging.
With a wide selection of eco-alloy offerings, Anomatic has options to explore for customers and brands to hit their marketing and sustainability goals. Whether your sustainability story is to focus on PCR content, reduction in GHG or even mono-material constructions, Anomatic is a one-stop-shop.
Wines and spirits: the Anomatic solution
The spirit industry is a frontrunner in the drive for sustainability with an increasing focus on packaging and efforts to minimize waste, move to recycled and recyclable materials and reduce carbon footprint. Anomatic is uniquely positioned to support the industry in ways that check all the boxes: regional manufacturing, sustainable materials including various recycled aluminum, and eco-friendly production that still delivers premiumization.
Our stock 28mm and 33mm Aluminum Overshell for TE Closures are customizable without compromising speed-to-market and offer a fully sustainable solution when produced in our exclusive evercycle™ aluminum. Eco-friendly metallization can take a standard plastic bar top head and make it shine — or metallize a tamper-evident roll-on-pilfer-proof closure (ROPP) to really stand out on the shelf. Anomatic's automated metalizing line has low VOC emission compared with 40%–60% VOC on traditional systems. We operate with high efficiency resulting in low energy consumption and less waste. Whether your brand image calls for solid colors, striking iridescence or gradient finishes, Anomatic can deliver a premium, eco-friendly solution, locally.
Aluminum and the environment: the right choice
The evercycle™ launch is a major step forward in promoting a circular economy for the beauty and cosmetic packaging industry. Anomatic currently returns scrap to Novelis for reuse in the process of new material.
In addition to its sustainable alloy product offerings, Anomatic is working towards developing packaging solutions that feature all-aluminum mono-material designs both in stock forms and fully customized designs. The company recently launched a third stock size of its 2-piece all-aluminum jar lid system which can be paired with a glass jar to promote a fully recyclable premium solution for the skincare sector. The lids are available in 33/400 (7mL jar), 40/400 (15mL jar), and 53/400 (50mL jar) sizes, pairing perfectly with Verescence stock Cleopatra glass jars — a fully recyclable and patented solution.
Anomatic has a continued emphasis on not only promoting sustainable products and offerings to customers but also in looking inwardly at its processes. About 75% of the phosphoric acid used in the anodizing process is captured and reused directly in the process — the rest is contained and safely sent to a third party for recycling. Anomatic also reclaims 75% of its sulfuric acid in the process. There are several additional initiatives in the queue working toward reducing water usage, developing recycled plastics and plant-based resins, as well as evaluating other chemical recycling options.
At the forefront of the Anomatic advantage is the patented anodizing technology that uses a continuous conveyor belt to ensure that every unit, from the first to the millionth, is processed the same, ensuring consistency and quality of color and finish throughout production. Anomatic has built its anodizing reputation on quality and its ability to achieve limitless color options and finishes for brands.
In addition to anodizing and metal stamping expertise, Anomatic is also integrated in injection molding, assembly, metallization, and decoration. The acquisition of its injection molding facility in 2019 further enables Anomatic to enhance the supply chain for current componentry requiring a molded part, as well as provide full packaging solutions to the market. The in-house manufacturing and engineering team works hand-in-hand with the development team to design all tooling, machinery and equipment in house to further promote downstream automation in assembly processes — a clear advantage in the market.
To further support market ambition for premiumization, Anomatic invested in a new vacuum metallization sputtering system in 2015. Housed in the New Albany, Ohio facility, this was the first of its kind in the U.S., and the technology allows for exceptional control of the metallization and VOC output. Like in its anodizing, Anomatic can achieve any metallized or lacquered color, and the sputtering technology allows for a variety of decorating techniques — whether on plastic or aluminum components. Decoration capabilities include laser engraving, screen printing, pad printing, hot stamping, flexographic and offset printing, applied either pre- or post-anodizing to create unique effects and premium branding.
Recent brand applications
La Mer, The Lip Balm — a complete package solution from Anomatic with all components produced in house, from the injection molded custom PET-G jar, molded inner for the lid, to the stamped, laser engraved and anodized metal lid. La Mer Treatment Lotion — a custom two-piece anodized aluminum and injection-molded cap, a luxury item amplified by a very heavy 100% PCR PP weighted inner. Clinique Black Honey Lipstick — a simple and elegant anodized tube, ferrule, and cap with recessed logo to capture the brand's identity. L'Oréal Lash Paradise — a custom stamped and anodized aluminum cap with recessed top logo and stamped side logo rolled in during the metal forming process. Olay Regenerist Jar Cover — a plastic molded part that is metallized and lined in-line, a perfect example of the commitment to reduce carbon footprint through in-line, post-metallization operations. Philosophy Fragrance Cap — a friction-fit slip cap adding a premium look and simple sophistication. Christian Siriano Ohh La Rouge Fragrance — Anomatic produces the gold anodized aluminum collar with screen printed logo.
A global presence
Anomatic's commitment to sustainability and the environment has generated real market interest in North America, Europe and Asia. Customers appreciate Anomatic's ability to certify and quantify their goals and benefits. The company is working on several other innovative packaging projects and concepts, including new mono-material caps and closures that will be offered in stock line versions.
"As we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, we were in great demand by our European customers, particularly for pump components and cosmetic packaging," says Eric Leray. "Now more than ever, our flexibility, responsiveness, and expertise — in every trade — have allowed us to forge relationships of trust within the beauty segments and brands. Above all, our unique sustainable developments and offerings are attracting growing interest among major beauty brands. They consider us one of their most innovative partners and suppliers in terms of sustainability, and the most reliable when it comes to service, speed to market and flexibility."
"Three of our most advantageous strengths start with what I call 'premiumization.' Our customers and prospects look to us to upgrade and elevate their products through metallization or anodization. Metal's 'cold touch' remains indisputably associated with luxury. The second advantage is regionalization — our customers and prospects in North America know well that we can offer them local solutions to shorten and simplify their supply chain. Our third strength is our ability to address their sustainability concerns. They rely on us to guide them and help them achieve their goals."
On Asia: "Anomatic built the Anomatic Suzhou Metal Packaging (ASMP) plant in Suzhou, near Shanghai, in 2007. This factory meets demand from local customers, including major beauty brands. It offers the same industrial capabilities as we do in the United States except for metallization, and has the same capability to anodize any specific color or finish. We produce as close as possible to our customers' needs while guaranteeing homogeneous quality at any of our production sites. The Suzhou plant also produces parts for the European market."
Meet us at PCD Paris, January 17 & 18, 2024, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Booth M132 — and MakeUp in LA, February 14 & 15, 2024, Los Angeles Convention Center, Booth B10.