A host of luxury on show at Luxe Pack 2006

Under the banner “How to stimulate desire”, Luke Pack is said to be a “unique opportunity to unravel the workings of creativity in every luxury sector: cosmetics and perfumes, fashion and accessories, clocks and watches, jewellery, wines and spirits, the food industry and so on”. Here are just a few titbits of what to expect. (For more show information visit:” www.luxepack.com)

According to MeadWestvaco Calmar, the era of the unsightly dip tube is finally coming to an end. Unveiled at Luxe Pack will be NoC, claimed to be the world's first invisible dip tube for fragrance packages. The company says the tube employs light refraction technology to create a dip tube that literally disappears when if comes in contact with the fragrance solution. One of its major advantages, besides its aesthetic value, is that fragrance companies will now be able to identify counterfeit fragrances if the dip tube does not disappear.

The NoC dip tube is available on MeadWestvaco Calmar's Melodie fragrance sprayer, which is said be one of the most discrete dispensing systems available as the miniature engine design disappears into the bottle neck.

DuPont says it will show “exciting new applications”, such as second generation electroluminescent technology, sublimation printed perfume bottles and cosmetic jars, as well as a 3D shrink sleeve technology based on polyester films. Fundamental to DuPont's offering for the cosmetics and personal care is the company's Surlyn resin, which is said to offer a “virtually unique combination of glass-like clarity, functional performance, appealing surface-feel and ease of production”.

An example of its use can be found in the large closure of Versace's new Bright Crystal perfume - “shaped like a giant, multi-faceted diamond, it is as captivating and voluptuous as the fragrance inside”. The closure was originally designed in glass, but quality and cost considerations are said to have led to a search for alternatives. Surlyn PC2000 provided a cost-effective solution while providing clarity, scratch- and abrasion-resistance, stiffness and chemical resistance, and easy processing.

Cosfibel says it responds to consumers' strong demand for visibility with PVC, PET or PP packs and will be showing a number of creations produced this year. A “trendy and refined coffret” for Shiseido responded to the desire for an “intimate object (small format) which resembles a case (thanks to the black wedge) and is luxurious and festive (silver sparkle tint area)”. The mauve-colored coffret contains an EdT and two items of jewellerry as a gift.

In Spain, Jesus del Pozo left the creation of his packs to Cosfibel Group company Grumbe. The brand's “summer coffrets” present three EdTs for women and one for men alongside another product from the range.

The orange and green packs for Duende and Esencia Duende, EdTs “for the mature woman”, have an “elegant design with textile effects borrowed from the fashion world”.

In 2006, Cosfibel Creative Packaging created the entire promotional pack collection for Azzaro: Azzaro pour Homme, Chrome, Visit for Men and Silver Black. The mounted cardboard coffrets are covered with silver polyester inside and out, which provides a mirror effect. A decorated band, featuring each line's colour code sets the transparent sheath and gives “an ultra-masculine, sober and contemporary look”.