Parfums Malle are signing a first with the launch of refillable bottles with a Quali Glass Coat decoration

Françoise Albasini

21 February 2020

Parfums Malle are signing a first with the launch of refillable bottles with a Quali Glass Coat decoration

While the "Quali Glass Coat 2.0" powder coating technique is not new, it was however a first, in terms of application, that Stoelzle Masnières Parfumerie performed for Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, who chose this technique to decorate their bottles of home fragrances, Les Perfume Guns.

It was at the PCD trade show, held at Porte de Versailles in Paris on 29-30 January 2020, that the glassmaker premiered this innovation, the same way as the company had unveiled at the PCD 2018 this new eco-responsible decoration technique, which uses powders "containing no lead, mercury, cadmium or chromium," specifies Étienne Groulez, Managing Director of Stoelzle Masnières Parfumerie. The glassmaker also presented at the show a new process, never seen before in perfume and cosmetics, which also uses powder inks (see box).

The Quali Glass Coat 2.0 allows personalizing standard bottles serving the perfumery or pharmacy sectors, such as this amber glass selected for Perfume Guns, the new collection of home fragrances by Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. With a thickness of 40 microns, its surface is perfectly "smooth and flawless, with a stunning Premium matt finish."

The decoration of the bottles is performed by a semi-automatic machine, which produces series of between 6000 and 10,000 bottles approximately. The machine decorated some 14,000 units for the new Frédéric Malle collection. " Today, we need to be flexible, agile and responsive," says Étienne Gruyer.

Also, as part of its 2020 programme, Stoelzle Masnières Parfumerie has started the study of an automatic machine, with a "Quali Glass Coat-QGC 2.0" decoration capacity of 4 million pieces. Currently, the glassmaker is in the process of validating volumes with customers. The installation of the machine is planned towards the end of the year.

In addition to this first for the "QGC 2.0", which saves 77% of CO2 compared to the traditional lacquering process for a bottle with the same capacity (500 ml), Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle also comply with the re-use criteria requested by the new French Law on circular economy. The bottle selected by the perfumers is fitted with a screw ring, thus allowing refilling. "A real demand" that the studies received by the Company are highlighting more and more, agreed its Director.

Tigital: an eco-friendly decoration characterised by the details and finesse of the printing

Stemming from several months of collaboration between the Tigital Coatings Company and the Stoelzle Glass Group, the Tigital decoration technique is an eco-responsible decorative transfer (solvent-free and allowing an 85% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional screen printing) composed of powder inks.

**Tigital Coatings is an eco-responsible decorative transfer. Based on powder inks, it is solvent-free and allows an 85% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional screen printing techniques**

Tigital has the same environmental characteristics as Quali Glass Coat 2.0, points out Stoelzle Masnières Parfumerie. It can be applied on all types of substrates (bare glass, lacquering and QGC 2.0) and shapes, especially cylindrical. It stands out for "its print quality with a level of details and finesse enabling to obtain an finish never reach before," highlights the glassmaker who can also manufacture small series.