Kneipp®, manufacturer of products for health and wellbeing known for its nature-inspired products and commitment to responsible innovation, has seen its limited-edition “Lieblingsmensch” bath crystals successfully launched in a fiber-based packaging developed in partnership with Sonoco.
Kneipp®’s rigid plastic packaging mainly used for bath salts was replaced with a high-paper-content alternative developed using Sonoco’s GreenCan® technology. The packaging was specifically designed to meet the technical requirements of moisture-sensitive bath crystals while delivering the premium look and feel expected from the Kneipp® brand.
Bath salts are traditionally considered difficult to transition away from plastic packaging due to their sensitivity to humidity. With this first trial, Kneipp® is pioneering a sustainable change, demonstrating that change towards renewable, fiber-based packaging solutions is possible for wellness products.
In this trial Kneipp wants to gain more experience with the new packaging regarding the product protection during handling/usage, quality and consumer experience. This is queried with a customer survey. Further stability testing must be conducted on all other references, if the project is to continue.
“With this limited edition, we wanted to show that sustainability, innovation and premium wellness can go hand in hand,” said Jessica Raich, Packaging Engineer at Kneipp®.
The paper-based can combines a tactile “paper touch” finish with vibrant graphics and gifting aesthetics, reinforcing the emotional and premium positioning of “Lieblingsmensch” while supporting Kneipp®’s broader sustainability ambitions.
Developed with future packaging circularity requirements in mind, GreenCan® is designed to support compatibility with existing paper recycling streams and reflects the paperisation and overall growing shift towards more circular packaging solutions. “One of the biggest technical challenges was developing a highly paper-based solution capable of protecting bath salts and their complex composition in humid bathroom environments,” said Francesco Giannolo, Vice President and General Manager of Sonoco Consumer Packaging, EMEA.
“Bath crystals are sensitive to moisture and traditionally rely on plastic packaging for protection. By combining a paper-based body, paper end and paper plug-in lid with the GreenCan® architecture, we were still able to deliver a solution that maintains product integrity while significantly reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based materials. At Sonoco, we are proud to support brands like Kneipp® that are helping redefine what sustainable packaging can look like in categories traditionally dominated by plastic,” said Francesco Giannolo.
“This project shows that paper-based packaging can now be successfully applied to highly demanding personal care applications while maintaining the premium consumer experience brands want to deliver.”
The collaboration reflects a shared ambition between Kneipp® and Sonoco to help accelerate more circular packaging solutions for the beauty and wellness market while responding to growing consumer expectations around sustainability and responsible consumption.
About Kneipp®
For more than 130 years, Kneipp® has stood for nature-based wellness and holistic self-care inspired by the philosophy of Sebastian Kneipp. Combining scientific expertise with natural ingredients, the brand develops bath, body care and wellness products designed to support everyday wellbeing in harmony with people and nature. Headquartered near Würzburg, Germany, Kneipp® is internationally recognised for its commitment to sustainability, responsible innovation and high-quality consumer experiences.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value-added, sustainable metal and paper consumer and industrial packaging. The Company had net sales of $7.5 billion from continuing operations in 2025 and has approximately 22,000 employees working in 265 operations in 37 countries, serving some of the world’s best-known brands.
Guided by our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., we strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence to provide solutions that better serve all our stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. Sonoco was proudly named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune in 2026 as well as one of America’s Most Admired and Responsible Companies by Fortune and Newsweek and by USA TODAY’s list of America’s Climate Leaders in 2025. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com .
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