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L'ORÉAL - sustainable packaging development thanks to X-ray CT

by Adrien on 01 Apr 2022 at 11h58
Since 2007, L'Oréal has been committed to an ambitious policy of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing plastic packaging. The L'Oréal Packaging Science Center, located in Aulnay sous-bois (Paris region), is equipped with the most advanced technology for the analysis of 3D objects, X-ray computed tomography, to assess these packaging during their development.

L'Oréal, 100 years of beauty history

For over 100 years, L'Oréal has been dedicated to the beauty business. With an international portfolio of 35 diverse and complementary brands, the Group achieved sales of 27.99 billion euros in 2020 and has 85,400 employees worldwide. As the world leader in beauty, L'Oréal is present in all distribution channels: the consumer market, department stores, pharmacies and para pharmacies, hair salons, travel retail, branded boutiques, and the trade.
 
L'Oréal relies on its excellence in research and innovation and its 4,100 researchers to meet all the beauty aspirations in the world. L'Oréal has set ambitious sustainability goals for the Group by 2030 and aims to empower its ecosystem to create a more inclusive and sustainable society. With more than 900 employees in 6 geographical areas, the packaging and development team is in charge of developing 6,000 launches per year.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION DEVOTED TO BEAUTY

L'Oréal continues to innovate in more sustainable packaging with strong commitments for 2030:
 
• 100% of packaging from recycled or biobased sources (50% by 2025)
 
• 20% reduction in packaging intensity compared to 2019
 
• By 2025, 100% will be reusable, recyclable, or compostable
 
• 100% of its new products have a better environmental or social profile 
 
In this context, X-ray tomography is a state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology, which allows us to explore new packaging in its entirety and thus ensure the best quality and performance for the consumer.
Reducing plastic for the packaging means rethinking the whole design and re-considering new & more sustainable components. It's the work carried out by the research lab of Aulnay sous bois with the example of the roll-on formula.
 

X-ray computed tomography at L’Oréal

X-ray technology has been used for many years at L'Oréal. Equipped with a 2D X-ray system, L'Oréal Operations' packaging department acquired an RX Solutions CT system to strengthen in agility and expertise.
 
The EasyTom S 150kV is a versatile system that can be used in 2D radioscopy and 3D tomography modes. Its compactness coupled with its large scan volume makes it capable of responding to numerous dimensional analyses, at the heart of complex packaging, by isolating the different materials but also the formula.
 
X-ray CT allows investigation in a non-destructive way of a sample as a whole or to focus on an area of interest by scanning it in 3D at a higher resolution.
 
 
 
We did a lot of research to select the best device for us and we decided on the Easy Tom S 150 micro-tomograph. This device fully meets our needs in terms of 2D radioscopic image quality and 3D tomography. Its large scan volume allows us to assess large packaging and the X-Act software is simple and intuitive to use. We can thus quickly answer the requests for expertise from the L'Oréal Group without destroying our packaging, with complete and reliable results.
 
Valérie Kleber
 L'Oréal Packaging qualification lab, Aulnay sous-bois
 

continuous improvement approach - reducing packaging of the roll-on 

Within the product lines, X-ray tomography allows them to verify sealing areas such as on Roll-on's which have variable interference depending on the screwing torque, impossible to explore dimensionally this area with traditional methods. This technology also allows them to visualize the dimensions and positions of the seals in the pump motors once assembled on the vials. Another example of application is the identification of disruptors such as flakes in lacquers which can modify the quality of spray restitution.
 
In the L'Oréal For The Future program, the redesign of packaging by lightening it to reduce environmental impact involves greater deformation. The sealing zones are therefore more complex to control. X-ray CT allows to inspect them with high accuracy compared to traditional methods.
 
Click here to download the full application note

RENAULT Group: on-board electronics

The technical progress expected in the automotive industry in the coming years is important and very challenging, particularly with the development of electric vehicles. Renault Group has made innovation one of the keys to its success with its Guyancourt Technocentre, one of the largest automotive research and development center in Europe, using X-ray CT. Read more here

L'ORÉAL Paris: sustainable packaging

Since 2007, L'Oréal has been committed to an ambitious policy of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing plastic packaging. In this context, X-ray tomography is a state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology, which allows us to explore new packaging in its entirety and thus ensure the best quality and performance for the consumer. Read more here

INSA Lyon Research Lab: lithium-ion batteries >

The development of energy storage solutions, especially for batteries, has been one of the most active industrial fields for many years. The stakes are getting higher with the exponential growth of electric mobility, connected objects, and means of communication. INSA Lyon uses X-ray CT to understand battery behavior. Read more here

RENAULT Group: on-board electronics

The technical progress expected in the automotive industry in the coming years is important and very challenging, particularly with the development of electric vehicles. Renault Group has made innovation one of the keys to its success with its Guyancourt Technocentre, one of the largest automotive research and development center in Europe, using X-ray CT. Read more here

L'ORÉAL Paris: sustainable packaging

Since 2007, L'Oréal has been committed to an ambitious policy of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing plastic packaging. In this context, X-ray tomography is a state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology, which allows us to explore new packaging in its entirety and thus ensure the best quality and performance for the consumer. Read more here

INSA Lyon Research Lab: lithium-ion batteries >

The development of energy storage solutions, especially for batteries, has been one of the most active industrial fields for many years. The stakes are getting higher with the exponential growth of electric mobility, connected objects, and means of communication. INSA Lyon uses X-ray CT to understand battery behavior. Read more here

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