Soap Bars Are Making a Comeback: How Important Is Paper for Pleated Packaging?

The latest issue of Compacknews explores the reasons behind this new trend which, interestingly, does not appear to be directly linked to the growing focus on environmental awareness.

But let’s take a step back and look at the numbers.

THE NUMBERS

The natural and artisanal product market is a growing trend that, according to research by Fortune Business Insights, is expected to continue expanding. We are talking about a market that today exceeds 43 billion dollars and is forecast to reach more than 67 billion dollars by 2030.

Personal care soaps represent the leading segment within this market. For years, consumer and market preferences have favoured liquid soaps due to their practicality, user experience and hygiene benefits. However, from an environmental perspective, liquid soaps are undoubtedly more impactful than solid alternatives.

THE BOOM OF SOAP BARS

Yet solid soap is experiencing a renewed popularity. The main driver behind this comeback is not necessarily environmental awareness, but rather the sensory experience it offers.

More and more consumers appreciate the ritual associated with solid soap: from opening the wrapper, to the fragrance, to the tactile experience of using the product.

This growing trend is not limited to private consumers. It is also increasingly visible in high-end hospitality, where soap bars often become part of the guest experience and are offered as courtesy products by luxury brands.

The paper used for pleated packaging of solid soaps is known in the industry as poly-coated paper. At Carte Dozio, we supply this material to premium brands and traditional soap manufacturers.

“The polyethylene coating is minimal and does not affect the recyclability of the paper,” explains Filippo Negrini, Sales Manager at Carte Dozio, in the latest issue of Compacknews. “However, it is essential for three reasons: it preserves the fragrance, prevents soap oils from staining the paper, and makes it easier to form the wrapper on dedicated automatic packaging machines.”

Last year, also in the pages of CompackNews, Martina Dozio, Quality Manager at Carte Dozio, highlighted this trend:

“We have seen an increase in demand for our special Kraft and brown papers, available in different basis weights and thicknesses, for pleated soap packaging. The polyethylene coating is minimal but necessary to enhance a material that must deliver both aesthetic and technical performance: maintaining its appearance while resisting moisture and preventing any loss of quality.”