Sparkling fragrance caps look luxe but aren't

Escada Moon Sparkle fragrance is launched, sealed by new caps manufactured by RPC beauté (www.rpc-beaute.com). Both the mens' and womens' fragrances feature an ABS electroplated cap, a die-cut steel weight and a PP interior. The womens' design also includes an ABS electroplated collar and POM (acetal) interior. RPC beauté says that recent investments totaling

nearly $1 million at its facility in Marolles, France—formerly the core beauty packaging company of Crown Holdings, Inc.—reduced production costs for the caps. “Even luxury brands these days have become extremely cost-conscious,” says RPC general manager Gérald Martines. The company engineered in-house a fully robotic, flexible, high-speed assembly line able to assemble any fragrance or makeup cap or closure with up to five different components, as well as automation in the loading/unloading area of the plating line.

“The variety of configurations of cosmetic products is virtually endless, even within one defined product category—for example, fragrance caps,” says Martines. “The life cycle of products is very short, and new products are rarely similar to the one they replace. Because of that, volumes are extremely variable and unpredictable. So it is somewhat more complex to automate in our business than in others.”

According to the company, the use of chemicals has been reduced, no heavy metals are released and the process uses no solvents in contrast to varnishing or vacuum metalizing, which typically require oxidation or vapor burning that can produce greenhouse gases.