Switching off plastic: Kao develops eco packaging which use 50% less plastic compared to pump bottles
The Raku-raku Switch is a spout that dispenses a fixed amount of liquid contents with one push of a button.
It can be used with the company’s film-type Raku-raku Eco Pack Refill, which will reduce plastic use by approximately 50% compared with plastic bottles with a pump dispenser.
According to Kao, the Raku-raku Eco Pack Refill itself can reduce plastic use and reduce the CO2 emissions produced from manufacturing and disposal by approximately 80%.
“Development and launch of the Raku-raku Switch is one of Kao's efforts to eliminate the use of plastic bottles as part of its priority actions aimed at Innovation in Reduction, aligned with its ESG Strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan,” said the company.
The firm developed the Raku-raku Switch technology to replace the function of standard pump dispenser and enhance the use of the Raku-raku Eco Pack Refill.
The design of the Raku-raku Switch prevents air and water from entering the pack even while the contents are being dispensed to maintain a sanitary state.
At the same time, it enables users to fully use up the liquid contents, ensuring less waste of product as well.
The company plans to debut the Raku-raku Switch with Bioré u The Body - Body Lotion for Wet Skin, which is scheduled for release on September 19.
Kao highlighted that the dispenser is based on a universal design, which would allow it to design more applications for a wide range of products moving forward.
Innovations in plastic reduction
The maker of Bioré, Curél and Kanebo has been aiming to accelerate its reduction of plastic.
Its strategy to reduce its use of plastic has been to shift away from rigid plastic bottles to film-based packaging.
The Raku-raku Eco Pack Refill was the first commercially launched film-based packaging in 2016.
A year later, the firm debuted the Smart Holder to further promote the adoption of the Raku-raku Eco Pack Refill.
The Smart Holder functions as a dispenser and was designed to be used with Kao’s Raku-raku Eco Pack Refill, which can be fitted into the Smart Holder to eliminate the need to pour out product.
In April this year, the company launched the Air-in Film Bottle with, with its new brand, MyKirei by KAO.
The Air-in Film Bottle is made up of three layers of film and utilises air pockets create a rigid body that allows it to stand upright.
The Air-in Film Bottle reduces plastic use by approximately 50% compared to conventional plastic bottles. The design also allows the liquid contents inside to be completely used up.
In addition to developing film-type packaging, Kao is also advancing research and technical development with the goal of closing the loop by recycling used film packaging into new packaging.
“The Kao Group will continue conducting its unique ESG activities globally to deliver wholehearted satisfaction and enriched lives to people around the world, and to contribute to the sustainability of the world.”
