The 'Eco-Friendly' Trend Blowing Through Mask Pack Packaging Materials

Hansol Paper's Eco-Friendly Paper Packaging 'Protego' Used in Encos Mask Pack Pouch
Securing Competitive Edge in Global Cosmetics Packaging Markets Including UK and USA

Image of Encos's mask pack.
Photo by Hansol Paper

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Hansol Paper announced on the 12th that it will use the eco-friendly paper packaging material 'Protego' for mask pack pouches exported overseas by the cosmetics manufacturing company Encos.

Since its establishment in 2009, Encos has stood out in the mask pack sector and is a leading cosmetics ODM specialized manufacturer. Encos has taken the lead in reducing the use of chemical materials such as plastic by applying Hansol Paper's eco-friendly packaging product, Protego, to mask pack pouches.

The mask pack pouches have been adopted for packaging of global cosmetics brand products and will begin full-scale sales in countries such as the UK and the US.

According to the global market research firm Euromonitor, the UK mask pack market size was estimated at approximately 96 million pounds (about 150 billion KRW) as of 2020, and it is one of the rapidly growing markets with an annual growth rate of about 23%.

Hansol Paper plans to secure a competitive edge in the global mask pack packaging market through collaboration with Encos, while continuously expanding the application range of the Protego product to various fields related to eco-friendly packaging.

Hansol Paper's Protego, named after the Latin word meaning 'to protect,' features specially manufactured base paper combined with Hansol Paper's unique coating technology, providing excellent barrier performance against oxygen, moisture, and odors.

In particular, unlike existing mask pack packaging made of multilayer composite materials that were difficult to recycle, Protego allows for separate disposal of paper materials and is over 90% biodegradable, expected to replace existing plastic films or aluminum foil.

In this regard, Protego has proven its eco-friendliness by receiving certifications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), and recycling certification from UL, a U.S. safety standards certification body. It also won the 'Packaging Materials and Components' category at the 2021 WorldStar Packaging Awards selected by the World Packaging Organization.

An Encos official stated, "As the demand for eco-friendly packaging materials for plastic reduction has recently increased, domestic and international clients have shown great interest in Protego mask pack packaging. Its high oxygen and moisture barrier properties prevent product deterioration, ensuring safety during distribution, and it is expected to be applicable to various cosmetic packages beyond mask pack packaging."

A Hansol Paper official said, "Hansol Paper is leading ESG management by focusing on the development of eco-friendly materials and products that can reduce plastic dependency based on its technological expertise in paper materials. We will continue to strive to lead the market as an eco-friendly material company that provides new value with the best technology."