Kao Implements Strategy for Greener Packaging in Europe

Guhl, a hair care brand available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, has launched new sustainable packaging.

According to Kao, the brand's parent company, Guhl's shampoo bottles now consist of 50% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). This reportedly allows Kao to save more than 770 metric tons of CO 2 annually. The conditioner bottles are made of 100% polypropylene (PP) and are fully recyclable. 

The new packaging also saves more than 520,000 liters of water and 180 metric tons of virgin PET by using rPET, the company stated. 

Guhl is Kao's first brand in Europe to implement the company's renewed global sustaina­bility strategy for greener packaging.

Daniel Nebe, team leader packaging development at Kao EURL, said, "We wanted to use the highest possible percentage of rPET without having to accept inclusions or color distortions, which are otherwise common when using rPET." 

Nebe continued, "Regarding the conditioner bottle, we have made sure that all packaging components are made from one material and that they can be 100% recycled back into the material flow and thus reused instead of being thermally recycled."