Sulapac and APG Europe strengthen ties and explore new horizons

APG Europe and Sulapac are expanding their collaboration and welcoming new brands on board. Companies of all sizes can access premium packaging made of bio-based Sulapac materials, with a wide range of customizable options available through APG’s one-stop online shop. Looking ahead, the collaboration is set to expand into new sectors.

Sustainable packaging solutions for businesses of all sizes

APG Europe has been the distributor of ready-made, bio-based and biodegradable Sulapac packaging for cosmetics and supplements since 2023. Brands can choose from a comprehensive portfolio of premium packaging that combines sustainability with aesthetic design.

The partnership has resulted in the relaunch and evolution of the Sulapac Nordic Collection, which includes 15 ml and 30 ml jars for oil-based cosmetics, and a 50 ml jar specifically designed for water-based formulations, featuring the innovative Sulapac Barrier.

To extend the options even further, the APG online store offers minimalist 50 ml, 150 ml and 200 ml jars manufactured by Nissha, along with a range of other sustainable options supplied by Sulapac’s trusted partners.

All Sulapac materials have food contact approval and excellent oxygen barrier properties, allowing them to be used for supplements and dry food items, including candy, sugar, and spices.

A gateway to sustainability—low MOQ for smaller brands

With a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of just 600 pieces, the Nordic Collection is accessible to brands of all sizes. This allows also smaller companies to adopt sustainable practices without compromising on quality or design.

“We want Sulapac products and sustainability to be accessible to all brands,” says Colin Strobant, Sulapac’s Commercial Director, Cosmetics. “Our Nordic Collection is suitable for any brand looking for sustainable jars, but especially for small to medium ones. The low MOQ brings a lot of flexibility to businesses and supports startups in their sustainability goals.”

 

Tailored aesthetics for every brand

Even though APG offers ready-made jars, each one can be tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of different brands. All options are available both in Sulapac Premium and Sulapac Universal materials.

The Premium material uses larger, more visible wood chips to offer a distinct, natural look. The Universal material features smaller wood particles, providing a subtle, polished appearance with a more conventional, plastic-like aesthetic.

“Some customers prefer visible wood because it signals eco-friendliness at first glance, while others opt for a traditional look that resembles conventional plastic but is still sustainable,” Strobant explains.

For brands looking to further customize their packaging, the jars are available in natural, white, and black colors. APG also offers decoration options through silk screen and digital printing with a low MOQ.

This flexibility allows businesses to combine sustainability with their branding preferences – in other words, offering the best of both worlds.

“It’s really a one-stop shop, giving brands the opportunity to purchase and customize the full packaging solution in one place.”

Brands Re[Sens] and Marlie+Fengg embrace the Nordic Collection

Re[Sens], a sustainable biotech brand in professional cosmetics for sensitive skin, has chosen Sulapac’s Nordic Collection to support its mission of creating healthy and environmentally safe products. They have selected Sulapac’s 50 ml Nordic jars in both Premium and Universal materials, and also rely on APG Europe’s silk screen printing and call-off stock services for streamlined packaging management.

“We chose Sulapac packaging because it aligns with our commitment to harmonizing human and environmental well-being. We believe that our actions influence the environment, which, in turn, reflects back on us. Our goal is to create products that are beautiful for both people and the planet. That’s why it’s important for us to move away from plastic in favor of biodegradable and recycled materials.” – Re[Sens]

Similarly, Marlie+Fengg, a cosmetics manufacturer focused on sustainable skincare, has embraced the Nordic Collection for their natural face care and deodorant lines. They have chosen Sulapac jars in Premium material.

“Our packaging is a major asset in our product concept and communication. Customers appreciate our efforts as a small business for trying to reduce the negative impact on humanity and the environment. Usually they are amazed by the look and feel of the packaging,” Maria Hösch und Natalie Dietrich, founders of Marlie+Fengg share.

They also note that APG Europe’s supportive customer service and solution-oriented services, such as small-batch ordering and storage possibilities, have been invaluable for their growing business. Instead of printing services, they use stickers to stay adaptable to regulatory changes.

“The possibility to order smaller quantities is crucial for us as a micro business – it allows us to take part in Sulapac’s vision for sustainability while also helping us with space management. Our products are crafted to have a low impact on the environment. Using wood-based materials aligns with our vision – the fact that waste can be transformed into something valuable is a gamechanger. Also, we are two female founders just like Sulapac’s Suvi and Laura. They share our spirit and approach to sustainability and corporate responsibility.” – Marlie+Fengg

Sustainability is a long-term commitment

The Nordic Collection has already attracted recurring customers, indicating strong customer satisfaction and demonstrating that for most companies, sustainability is not a stunt, but a long-term commitment.

As concerns about conventional plastic continue to rise, brands are increasingly seeking sustainable packaging alternatives.

“Most cosmetic brands prefer not to sell their otherwise natural products in conventional plastic containers. Consumers are also becoming more and more aware. The overall trend is toward a more minimalist approach, with less packaging used in general. The 50 ml Nissha ecosense Sulapac jar, for example, supports this trend well, as it is very small and sleek,” Strobant says.

Looking ahead: beyond cosmetics

Sulapac and APG are actively working to expand their portfolio. It already includes accessories such as a bio-based cosmetic spatula, and new exciting innovations, including standardized lids for glass jars, are currently underway.

“In response to the growing demand, we are looking to expand our product range with new options made with non-visible wood, all the while maintaining low MOQs for accessibility. We strive to offer our customers many options. Even though these are standard products, everyone wants something different at the end of the day. So we want to cater to the diverse preferences of each customer,” Strobant explains.

While the focus is on cosmetics, expanding the collection into other sectors is also under discussion. Strobant reveals that APG and Sulapac are currently working on a webstore for food services. This expansion will include coffee mugs and other food-related products made from Sulapac materials.

“APG already has a great platform for cosmetics jars, and they have built a close relationship with their customers, so this collaboration could be easily expanded into other sectors as well. There’s a good synergy between their way of working and our way of working. We both want to remain customer-centric and accessible, and this enables us to foster a collaborative environment and adapt quickly to the needs of our clients,” Strobant concludes.

 

Interested in trying out the ready-made, bio-based and biodegradable APG & Sulapac jars? Explore the collection or jbn@apg-europe.eu to find out more!

 

Sulapac Ltd is an award-winning material innovation company bringing solutions to the global plastic crisis. By replacing conventional plastic with sustainable, beautiful, and functional Sulapac materials, companies can reduce their carbon footprint, eliminate microplastic pollution, and advance the circular economy. The Helsinki-based company was founded by three scientists in 2016 and serves customers across various industries on three continents. Investors behind Sulapac®, the patented material innovation, include CHANEL and Sky Ocean Ventures.

APG Europe is an expert in packaging warehousing and distribution for the globe’s most innovative companies, the high standards of our suppliers as the starting point of every cosmetic and pharmaceutical primary packaging solution we provide. With 50 years of experience and divisions in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, APG Europe is undoubtedly your key supply chain management partner in guiding your brand towards sustainability with the comprehensive Sulapac portfolio.

Nissha Co.,Ltd. offers sustainable packaging solutions under ‘ecosense molding’ brand utilizing our extensive experience in plastic injection molding with surface decorations. With Nissha’s Sustainability Vision, we aim to achieve reduction of CO₂ emissions by 30% in 2030 (compared to 2020) towards a carbon-neutral by 2050. Nissha Group, founded in 1929, has 48 bases around the world with three key business units – Industrial Materials, Devices, and Medical Technologies. With its global network, Nissha offers a one-stop solution from full production and local customer support.