Roctool Beauty Solutions is testing a range of post-consumer recycled materials that it claims are a good match for its heat-molding technology.
Roctool’s technology, which flash-heats production molds via induction before a material enters the mold resulting in a defect-free matte or glossy surface finish, is testing the viability of injecting more eco-friendly materials, such as PCR PET, PP and ABS.
Earlier this year, Roctool ceo Mathieu Boulanger told Luxe Packaging Insight that the company was experimenting with reclaimed or bio-sourced materials that are able to be compressed through induction, such as leather and textiles. “We want to work with materials that tell a story and since we control the temperature, we can mold just about any material under the sun. By high heating the mold they take on a premium look,” he explained.
The company also announced that it has begun research into production of thin-walled components using PCR resins while reducing pressure during the molding process. “At equal pressure, some PCR materials injected using Roctool technology can reach 100% filling at 110°C compared to just 30°C using conventional molding and reaching 70% filling rate. In order for conventional molding to reach 100%, it would require pressure levels that would make the manufacturing process difficult,” explains the supplier.
