Sustainable glitter product is a sparkling success with help of WMG, University of Warwick
Tuesday, 7 January 2020
Profound changes in the environment and climate are driving Governments around the world to implements laws and policies to encourage the development of sustainable materials and systems. This presents a challenge to industry to develop new products and processes, but it also offers opportunities to create value for sustainable operations. The market for ethical consumer goods has grown by more than £40 billion since 2008, and the annual value of global sustainability industry is estimated to be $10 trillion by 2050.
Challenge
Prima Makeup manufacture makeup products and sell to consumers via high street retailers and their website. CEO Emma Southorn, noticed that increasing environmental awareness among consumers was driving sales of sustainable products.
Already a keen sustainability advocate and animal rights supporter, she sought to create a new glitter product that was fully biodegradable, vegan and free from animal testing. At the time, their existing products were manufactured in the Far East, but Prima wanted to bring manufacturing of this product in to the UK. They turned to WMG for knowhow in sustainable materials and manufacturing.
Solution
WMG materials and manufacturing experts advised Emma and the management team at Prima on the types of biodegradable polymer that could be used in this application. In particular, we helped them to develop a unique container for the glitter that could dissolve in water, making it a more sustainable solution.
WMG developed a material solution through a supply chain partner, to prove out the dissolvable pot concept. We used our extensive network of UK manufacturers to connect Prima with an injection moulding company who could manufacture the pot and, ultimately, provide tooling for them to bring the manufacturing into the UK.
Impact
Following the success of the prototype, Prima have secured a number of distribution agreements with large UK retailers, to supply an exclusive range of cruelty-free, biodegradable glitter products, all manufactured in the UK.
Emma said: “The support provided by WMG was fantastic in assisting with the development of our project. They provided expert knowledge, guidance and feedback and have been a real asset through this process”
The company are so keen to further build on this product line, that they have invested in new equipment installed at their factory in Stourbridge, As well as a new laboratory to allow further research and product development.
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