Amcor, a global packaging manufacturer, is supplying a complete packaging solution for the extension of Fragrances of Ireland's Inis the Energy of the Sea line into the hair care category. Within the project, the packaging producer is responsible for bottles and flexible tubes, covering the full set of new hair care products for this brand.
Fragrances of Ireland has been creating perfumes and personal care products inspired by the nature and landscape of Ireland for over 40 years. The Inis the Energy of the Sea collection includes perfumes, skin care products, shower gels, candles and diffusers. The body care products use ingredients sourced from the North Atlantic, such as seaweed extracts and sea minerals, which can help soothe, hydrate and revitalise the skin. As part of the further development of this line, Fragrances of Ireland has now created a range of hair care products.
Scope of the new line and Amcor's role
The new products include a shampoo, conditioner and spray. To develop the packaging for these items, Fragrances of Ireland commissioned Crilly & Wardell Design Consultants to create a design with a distinctive appearance that would also complement and reinforce the recognisable Inis brand identity. Amcor was selected to translate these bespoke design concepts into final packaging solutions.
The packaging range consists of a 150 ml bottle with pump, a 300 ml bottle and a 250 ml flexible tube. In this project, Amcor's technical expertise in selecting a suitable masterbatch was of key importance. It had to provide not only a match to the characteristic shade of blue used across all Fragrances of Ireland products, but also colour consistency between the different materials used for manufacturing the packs.
Material selection and colour consistency
The bottle and spray pack are manufactured from HDPE, the flexible tube from an HDPE/LLDPE blend, and the closures are made of PP. The use of different materials required masterbatch selection that would deliver the most uniform possible colour across the entire packaging family. At the same time, appropriate performance characteristics of the individual components were maintained, tailored to the functions of the bottles, tube and closures.
On-shelf impact has been further enhanced by the use of silver hot stamping for the Inis logo. This combines the characteristic colour scheme of the Fragrances of Ireland line with a decorative element of high visual recognisability.
Statements from Fragrances of Ireland and Amcor representatives
"Amcor has been the perfect partner for this important project," said Raquel Gil, new product development and marketing coordinator at Fragrances of Ireland. "Their manufacturing and decoration expertise, together with the ability to manage the production of all three packs, mean we have the same high quality of construction across the range while ensuring that all our launch deadlines were met."
Both bottles are lightweight and durable, combining effective protection for the contained products with convenience in use for the consumer.
"This project ideally demonstrates our versatility, with the knowledge and ability to handle different materials to achieve a distinctive and consistent family range of packaging," said Joe Horton, regional sales director, Amcor Rigid Packaging Solutions International.
