The Eco-Design Packaging Playbook: Cross-Industry Lessons from Cosmetics & Pharma

Packaging stands at the forefront of sustainability challenges for both the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. In recent years, most major pharmaceutical companies have initiated their own eco-packaging strategies, aiming to reduce packaging volumes and limit the use of plastics and aluminum. Yet, such changes remain complex due to the strict requirements around drug safety, product preservation, and regulatory compliance.

Conversely, the cosmetics sector has established itself as a pioneer in eco-design, deploying refill systems, reusable formats, and recyclable materials at scale. Initiatives such as SPICE and the EcoBeautyScore® Consortium have aligned key industry players, driving shared standards and accelerating innovation across the value chain.

This session, structured as a high-level roundtable, brings together perspectives from both sectors to:

- Examine how the cosmetics industry’s progress can inspire sustainable transformation in pharma.

- Identify opportunities for collaboration, adaptation, or co-development of sustainable solutions.

- Discuss the role of design, regulation, and industry coalitions in driving change within complex operational and compliance landscapes.