Lightweight Plastic Tube Closures Strike a Blow for Sustainability

Responding to consumer and brand demand for more-sustainable packaging, Berry Global has developed a lightweight tube closure that combines modern design and material versatility with a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.


The new Slimline range delivers GHG savings compared with traditional caps through a new lightweight and low-profile design, said the company. The closures meet the performance requirements of customers and underline Berry’s commitment to minimize the use of virgin plastic, it added.


The closures will be available in 35- and 50-mm diameters in a matte or glossy surface finish and with 3- and 5-mm orifices. The closures can be manufactured in virgin polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) or with food-safe post-consumer recycled plastic (rPE and rPP) from CleanStream, Berry's internal, closed-loop recycling process. Brand owners can match closure and tube materials to create a mono-material pack and, thus, facilitate recycling.

“The tube market is seeing a greater pace of change currently, as companies continue to look for more-sustainable pack formats without compromising on aesthetics or performance,” said Thierry Bernet, VP of circular economy and innovation for Berry Global CPI.

The size of the overall caps and closures market was valued at approximately $68 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $119 billion by 2032, according to a report from Global Market Insights. Sustainability is highlighted as a growing market trend.

The Slimline design is suited for personal care and pharmaceutical applications, and it is compatible with the new generation of flat tube shoulders, said Berry Global. Features such as a wide opening angle, comfortable finger recess, and active hinge for easy opening help ensure consumer convenience. To provide the flexibility to meet changing market demands and customer requirements, Berry said that it has developed an advanced and agile production cell. 

The closures will be available for production in early 2024.