At Cosmoprof India 2025, UFlex’s Tube Division outlined its focus areas for beauty and personal care brands, combining advanced decoration technologies with sustainable materials and flexible manufacturing options. In a conversation with Subrata Bose, senior vice president and business head – tubes at UFlex, the company detailed its capabilities across printing, design continuity, holography and PCR integration.
Bose said that UFlex’s key differentiation lies in its use of reverse rotogravure printing for tubes, a technique drawn from the company’s flexible packaging expertise. “Reverse rotogravure allows us to deliver very sharp, vibrant, almost 3D-like graphics. We embed the decorative capabilities of flexible packaging into a tube format,” he said. He added that UFlex’s backward integration in printing, films and cylinder manufacturing enables consistent quality and design accuracy.
Another area of differentiation is the use of holographic decoration. “We integrate holographic effects to deliver unique metallised looks, and we leverage UFlex’s expertise as India’s largest holography manufacturer,” Bose said.
Focus on sustainable material choices
On sustainability, Bose said that market expectations and regulatory requirements are driving major shifts in beauty packaging. UFlex is offering mono-material PE tubes that can enter existing PE recycling streams. Additionally, the company manufactures its own PCR resin, which it uses in tube bodies, shoulders and caps. “We are offering tubes with 30–50% PCR, and since we produce the PCR in-house, we offer both a technical and supply-chain advantage,” he explained.
Trends and regulatory alignment
According to Bose, cost-effective sustainability remains the biggest challenge for brands. Many solutions exist, but commercial feasibility determines adoption. With India pushing for domestically produced PCR, UFlex’s investments in recycling infrastructure further support compliance with EPR norms and plastic waste rules. The company also engages with regulators and industry forums to align on practical frameworks for recyclability and PCR usage.
Support for D2C and emerging beauty brands
With India’s D2C beauty segment expanding, UFlex has adapted its offerings to support low MOQs, customized barrier structures and faster market entry for young brands. The company uses digital and flexographic printing, alongside rotogravure, to balance cost and flexibility. “We understand that many new-age brands start small and scale over time. Engaging early helps us support them through that growth,” Bose said.
Role of tubes in refill and reuse models
On the emerging refill-and-reuse trend, Bose noted that it currently relates more to rigid packaging formats. Concerns around contamination and operational challenges limit tube reuse at this stage. The company’s immediate focus remains on recyclability and PCR. “Right now, we are focused on mono-material and PCR-based tubes. As the market evolves, we will explore reuse models as well,” concluded Bose.
