With environmental on the one hand and the search for luxurious effects, leading makers of high-end glass had to demonstrate their ability to address opposite trends.

While concerns for the environment stimulate the reduction of the weight of glass, the quest for excellence leads to the creation of increasingly heavy bottles with very thick walls.

Riding the eco-responsible trend, glass manufacturers innovate in the weight reduction of their products.

Awarded by the Luxe Pack in Green 2016 for its Ecojars innovation, Bormioli Luigi perfectly illustrates the trend which is forecasted to become a key feature of the market in the future.

“In a few years it will be a condition to carry on operating on the market,” says Frédéric Montali, Head of the Cosmetics Division of the Bormioli Luigi group. The Ecojars range for skin care and luxury make-up consists of four ultralight standard jars, weighing 50% less than a traditional glass of the same capacity.

To achieve this lightening, Bormioli Luigi took inspiration from its expertise in the production of tableware glass, in particular for the development of a patented process for the jar’s screw ring. Reducing the amount of glass helps to decrease the overall impact on the environment, including the volumes of raw materials used and the impact of production and transportation.

Similarly, the Pochet Group strives to combine concern for the environment and luxury codes with Epure, a lightweight jar with thin walls. Born from a Pochet du Courval technical prowess for the glass making, Epure can be completed by a cap solution, thus allowing customers to benefit from the Group’s multi material expertise.

“The goal was to go forward in the lightweight glass, with up to 50% reduction of weight, while sticking to luxury codes, including gloss. A glass can be both luxurious and lightweight, provided it is are perfectly manufactured,” said Thierry Rabu, General manager of the group’s glass division.

In order to meet this challenge, Pochet chose to reduce the height of the ring, thereby radically changing the design of the jars.

In parallel, with its Evolution concept, German glassmaker Heinz Glas showcased its ability to produce heavy weight bottles and jars. The company displayed single-shaped designs of the same volume gradually ranging from the heavier to the lighter.

Also with a view on environment preservation, Verescence (formerly SGD Parfumerie), continues to develop its Neo Infinity range of recycled glass standards.

Finally, to support this move towards lighter glass jars and bottles, both Verescence and Stölzle Glass Group presented new processing solutions to enhance glass resistance to breakage, with Stölzle Glass adding to the treatment an invisible film to preserve the integrity of the bottle in case of breakage.

Despite these lightweighting efforts, heavy glass bottles with thick walls remain strongly associated with luxury codes and the market’s preference.

As far as heavy weight glass are concerned, the main innovation was the Up & Down technology presented by Verreries Brosse (Zignago Vetro Group) brush with. The new process allowed to distribute an even distribution of the glass all around the bottle to surround the juice. Such an achievement was already possible for the sides and bottom and the bottom of the bottle, but Verreries Brosse is the first to be able to provide thickness to the shoulders.

Also noteworthy, Verescence’s new Bowie collection which adds weight and substance to standard bottles targeting the niche perfumery market.