Unilever and Saica Group collaborate to reduce plastic in promotional packaging
Unilever and Saica Group announced an ongoing collaboration aimed at reducing plastic use in promotional packaging. The partnership focuses on the development of a sustainable bundling solution for Axe deodorant duopacks, one of Unilever’s most recognisable global brands and a leading male deodorant in the French market. The new solution has been available in France since the final quarter of 2025.
Aligned with shared commitments to innovation and sustainability, Unilever replaced the previous plastic shrink film used in Axe promotional duopacks with a paper grouping band developed by Saica Group. The initiative marked a significant step toward reducing virgin plastic content in flexible packaging while maintaining functionality and shelf appeal.
The project reflected Unilever’s wider objective of lowering its virgin plastic footprint by 40% by 2028, compared with 2019 levels. At the same time, it supported Saica Group’s sustainability strategy to reduce the plastic weight of total packaging produced for customers by up to 20%. The paper grouping band was designed to be recyclable, contributing to the advancement of the circular economy, which remains a core pillar of Saica Group’s strategy.
The collaboration was also positioned as a proactive response to the upcoming European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which includes restrictions on single-use plastic packaging for promotional bundling. By replacing conventional plastic shrink film with a paper banding solution, both companies aligned with the regulation’s objectives of reducing virgin plastic use, improving recyclability and strengthening circular economy practices.
Drawing on decades of experience in fibre-based packaging engineering, Saica Group delivered a comprehensive technical solution to support Unilever’s transition to sustainable bundling. This included the design and industrial validation of a self-adhesive paper band, optimised for consumer handling and ease of unpacking. The band was produced using high-performance paper engineered to provide mechanical strength, durability during transport and compatibility with high-resolution printing processes to ensure premium shelf presentation.
Saica Group also provided technical support throughout the full implementation process, from equipment specification and procurement to the installation and commissioning of banding machinery adapted to Unilever’s promotional product lines. In addition, the new system delivered energy efficiency improvements by replacing high-temperature shrink-wrapping with a low-energy paper banding process, without compromising packaging speed or quality.
The partnership underlined the strategic alignment between Unilever and Saica Group in driving the transition toward more sustainable packaging solutions through material innovation, process engineering and a shared commitment to circularity.
Commenting on the collaboration, Ibon Aznar, Sustainability Innovation Manager for Flexible Packaging, stated: “Partnering with Unilever on this project shows how innovation and sustainability can come together to deliver real progress. With this paper-based solution, we’re helping anticipate regulatory changes while maintaining the technical performance and quality design the customer requires. At Saica Flex, we remain committed to supporting our customers in their transition toward truly circular packaging solutions.”
About Saica Group
Saica Group provides sustainable paper solutions for the manufacture of corrugated cardboard and packaging, promoting circularity in waste management. With more than 12,000 employees and operations in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States, the Group operates through four business divisions: recycled paper manufacturing for corrugated board (Saica Paper), waste management and environmental services (Saica Natur), corrugated packaging production (Saica Pack), and flexible packaging (Saica Flex).
The Group reported consolidated sales of €3.662 billion as of 31 December 2024.
