Japanese cosmetics brand Kanebo recently selected Eastman’s Cristal One IM812 specialty polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin for the overcap of its new Generating Essentials Treatment Lotion.
For the thick-walled black overcap, Kingsport, Tennessee-based Eastman says Kanebo needed a material that could meet demanding performance and design requirements, especially given the cap’s heavier construction. The chemical producer and plastics recycler says Cristal One IM812 met those requirements by passing drop impact testing and maintaining required strength after post-mold painting.
RELATED: Cabrellon adding Eastman’s Tritan Renew to industrial chocolate molds
“Rooted in Kanebo’s ‘Progress Care’ philosophy and our message, ‘Going beyond beauty, Kanebo heightens hope,’ this lotion reflects our approach to supporting skin through different stages of life rather than focusing on antiaging,” Kanebo designer Shinsuke Magai says. “We wanted the packaging to bring that philosophy to life through a design that conveys both refinement and progression.”
Eastman says its Cristal One IM812 product delivered Kanebo’s desired aesthetic: a clean, high-quality black with the right gloss and a subtle transition from opaque black to a more transparent black gradient at the top. The company says this combination of toughness, transparency and color precision helped create a refined look without making the package appear overly heavy.
“From an engineering perspective, this packaging required careful alignment of material performance, processing and finish,” Kanebo packaging engineer Shota Kawasaki says. “We evaluated several candidate materials, and Cristal One IM812 proved to be the best match for our needs.”
Eastman says its specialty PET can be injection molded and is designed to provide high transparency and toughness for premium cosmetic components, adding that Kanebo chose it for its sustainability benefits, as it is recyclable in the PET recycling stream.
According to Eastman, although compliance with the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was not an immediate requirement for a product sold primarily in Asian markets, Kanebo chose to adopt a material that aligns with anticipated future regulatory expectations.
The lotion launched in January and Kanebo says it plans to expand its use of Cristal One Renew IM812 in upcoming products.
“Kanebo’s adoption of Cristal One IM812 in its product cap is meaningful to Eastman,” says Tara Cary, Eastman marketing manager for cosmetics and personal care packaging. “This commercial example shows how Eastman’s materials can help beauty brands address the challenge of combining sustainability with uncompromised appearance, durability and function.”