Bio-based packaging materials: the future of eco-friendly products
Have you ever thought about how many cosmetic products are made each year?
Now imagine how long it takes to dispose of their packaging: often more than 400 years, especially when it contains conventional plastics.
That's the promise of bio-based packaging: smart, renewable alternatives to traditional plastics that are changing the way beauty brands design, manufacture, and tell their stories.
And here's the kicker: it's no longer just about looks. Today's consumers want products that look good, feel good and do good.
They're willing to pay for it: a 2023 survey by McKinsey & Company found that 50% of US consumers are willing to pay more for products with sustainable packaging.
So if your products are clean, but your packaging is stuck in 2010, it might be time for a makeover.
Let's dive into why bio-based packaging isn't just a nice-to-have.
What are bio-based packaging materials?
Let's keep it simple: bio-based materials are made (at least in part) from renewable biological resources, think plants, wood, algae or even food waste. Unlike traditional plastics, which are derived from fossil fuels, bio-based alternatives come from sources that can be grown, regenerated and harvested again.
Bio-based doesn't mean low performance. We're talking about high-quality materials that can meet the demands of premium beauty packaging, sleek, durable and fully customisable.
While traditional plastics last for centuries, bio-based materials are designed with circularity in mind. Some are compostable, others recyclable and all help reduce the industry's dependence on petroleum-based materials.
Why beauty brands are switching to bio-based materials
In recent years, more and more beauty brands are ditching old-fashioned packaging for bio-based materials that look great and feel even better.
Here's what they're gaining (and what you could, too):
✅ Less plastic guilt, more brand love: consumers want to feel good about what they're buying. Bio-based packaging shows your values without saying a word.
✅ Perfect for refillable systems: bio-based materials such as mBlack™ are strong, elegant and designed for refillable formats.
✅ Future-proof and compliant: with new regulations and bans on the horizon, specially in EU, choosing bio-based materials now will keep you ahead of the curve.
✅ Lighter footprint, cooler story: from upcycled wood waste to compostable fibres, these materials add depth and purpose to your brand story while reducing environmental impact.
Bio-based vs. biodegradable: what's the difference?
Although these words sound similar and are often used in the same conversation, they're not interchangeable.
Bio-based refers to what a material is made from: renewable sources such as plants, wood, or even food waste. It's about the source, not the end.
Biodegradable, on the other hand, is about what happens afterwards. It means that the material will break down naturally over time, usually with the help of microbes and the right environmental conditions.
What are bio-based materials made from?
When it comes to bio-based sources, there are many smart, renewable options. These materials come from nature and are paving the way for more responsible, creative packaging solutions.
Here are some of the more promising sources:
Wood and wood waste: harvested from sustainably managed forests or upcycled from production waste, wood is durable, tactile and ideal for premium packaging. It's also the basis for our mBlack™ biopolymer;
Cornstarch and sugarcane: set to make PLA (polylactic acid) and other bio-based plastics, these crops offer a renewable alternative to fossil fuels while maintaining flexibility and transparency in packaging;
Algae and seaweed: super-fast growing and non-competitive with food crops, they're being used in everything from flexible films to innovative gel-like containers, and they biodegrade beautifully;
Fungi and mycelium: the root system of fungi forms natural, compostable structures. It's already used in protective packaging and is making its way into luxury formats;
Agricultural by-products: think nut shells, coffee hulls, olive pits or fruit skins, normally treated as waste, can be turned into high-performance biomaterials with a unique look and feel;
Cellulose (plant fibres): extracted from wood pulp, cotton or hemp, cellulose is strong, lightweight and already widely used in compostable films and paper-based containers.
Meet mBlack™: our signature bio-based material
mBlack™ is an innovative material made from upcycled wood waste, which is converted into biochar through a clean pyrolysis process. This biochar is then blended into a polymer matrix to create a high-performance, low-impact alternative to traditional plastics.
What makes it special? For starters, it's 100% bio-based, made from renewable resources instead of fossil fuels. It's also CO₂ negative, which means it helps reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
Smooth, strong and fully customisable, mBlack™ is perfect for beauty packaging that needs to feel luxurious while being planet-friendly.
How beauty brands use mBlack™
You'll find mBlack™ in lipstick tubes, where its silky texture and deep matte finish give a modern, premium feel.
It's also a favourite for caps and closures, offering the strength and precision needed to protect delicate formulas while making a statement on the shelf. Thanks to its malleability and stability, mBlack™ is ideal for compact cases, fragrance components, and even jar lids, wherever you want a material that performs beautifully and signals conscious design.
It works well with other sustainable elements, such as cork, refillable inserts or FSC®-certified wood accents, to help brands create fully circular, no-compromise packaging systems.
Ready to switch to smarter materials?
If your brand is serious about sustainability, bio-based packaging is a must.
At mPackting, we work side-by-side with beauty brands to create bespoke solutions that feel as good as they look, because great packaging doesn't have to cost the earth.
Let's create packaging with a purpose: contact us to start your next project.
