Today, after several months of training, testing and production, it is time to take stock of this strategic investment.

Cutting-edge technology unlocking new opportunities

From the moment it was installed, this new production line presented a significant technical challenge for our teams (R&D, production, quality, etc.).

It relies on state-of-the-art equipment designed to meet the specific requirements of hot-molded formulations:

• A melting tank capable of handling formulations exceeding 100°C
• A dosing system that maintains the components at optimal temperature throughout the process
• A positive-temperature cooling tunnel ensuring controlled product stabilization
• Filling precision ranging from a few grams up to 50g

This configuration now allows us to work with complex, sensitive, and technically demanding textures, while ensuring consistency and industrial-grade quality.

12 months of learning, adjustments and building expertise

Integrating this machine was not simply a matter of adding equipment; it was a full-scale industrial project involving many departments.

Over the course of a year, the teams:

• Learned to master new production parameters
• Adjusted processes to safeguard sensitive formulas
• Developed new technical skills
• Optimized production rates and industrial repeatability
• Demonstrated great agility in dealing with the specific characteristics of hot-molded products

This collective effort transformed a technical challenge into genuine in-house expertise.

Today: a fully operational line in regular production

One year after its launch, the stick machine is now fully integrated into our production facilities.
It now operates on a regular basis to support our clients’ projects, particularly those involving technical and demanding formulations. This ramp-up confirms the wisdom of this investment: we are now able to meet growing demand for hot-molded products, a rapidly evolving segment in the cosmetics industry.

An expanded range of suncare sticks

This expertise is particularly evident in our catalog range of sunscreen sticks.

We currently offer three SPF 50+ suncare sticks, each developed using a different formulation and technological approach: Stick on the Beach SPF 50+, Sunny Stick’it SPF 50+ and Sun’shine Stick SPF 50+.

This diversity allows us to meet various market needs:

• Textures tailored to different consumer uses
• A variety of application sensations
• Distinct technological choices

To learn more about our expertise in sunscreen sticks, please read our dedicated article.

An investment rooted in a long-term vision

Beyond the technology itself, this investment reflects a broader dynamic: that of a company that continues to grow, innovate and strengthen its industrial expertise.

At ALPOL Cosmétique, we pursue a clear objective: to support our clients in bringing their projects to life, even the most technically challenging ones, by combining innovation, process expertise and a commitment to quality. This line is just one step in our development.

The demand for hot-molded products continues to evolve, as do market expectations regarding textures, sensory appeal, and performance.
We remain fully committed to continuing to invest, learn, and innovate.

And if you’d like to develop your next stick or hot-molded product project, contact our teams.

In Europe, the prohibition is ongoing in member states :

• France : prohibition as of now (a complementary prohibition project is under development and submitted to Ministry of Ecology to define time and conditions of plastic particles degradation not prone to remain in marine area and substances not supposed to be diffused by these plastic particles)
• Italy : from 2020 january
• Wales : from 2018, 30th june
• Scotland : Prohibition project from the june 19th 2018 submissed to consult until May, 2^nd 2018
• Sweden : Prohibition project from june 2018 (the text would probably be published soon, it might be on 2018, 1st june)

WORLDWIDE

• New Zealand : prohibition from 2018, 7th june (the thoothpastes are also concerned)

Sources : Cosmed January 2018 and Fébéa January & February 2018

Theses prohibitons measures have been transmittted before the deadlines precised over and the ALPOL Cosmétique teams have already realized the modifications in formulas which are available without plastic or synthetic microbeads !

Please feel free to contact our teams in order to precise this post according to french and international regulations.