Firn, Cosmogen & Asquan partner on sustainable packaging for Invisible Sun Stick
The product is designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable, on-the-go personal care solutions.
FRANCE – Cosmogen & Asquan has partnered with French biotech skincare brand Firn to supply its patented Stick ReUse packaging for the launch of Firn’s SPF50+ Invisible Sun Stick, a premium, watertight, refillable stick.
The Stick ReUse system is constructed from mono-material polypropylene (PP) with an aluminium finish and is engineered to reduce plastic consumption by 56% with each refill cartridge, aligning with both Firn’s environmental commitments and broader industry shifts toward circular packaging models.
According to Cosmogen & Asquan, the Stick ReUse concept emerged from market research that identified a gap in the availability of premium, watertight stick packaging, particularly as solid formulations for skincare, makeup, and fragrance gain momentum among consumers seeking convenience and portability.
The packaging reconciles high-performance functionality with eco-design principles, offering a durable outer shell that supports repeat use while accommodating the rising popularity of solid and hybrid product formats.
The Stick ReUse solution is fully customizable and available in recycled PP or with aluminium housing offered in silver, rose gold, and gunmetal finishes, allowing brands to tailor the aesthetic to their identity while maintaining structural integrity.
A key design feature ensures that the refill cartridge functions only when correctly inserted into the outer casing, a safeguard that preserves the brand’s image and prevents misuse or counterfeiting.
The system is compatible with a wide range of categories, including solid skincare, hybrid formulas, colour cosmetics, and solid fragrances, making it a versatile option for brands embracing the stick format across multiple product lines.
Firn’s Invisible Sun Stick leverages the company’s proprietary Thirty Days Stem Cell Complex (STM30), a biotechnological active ingredient developed by Dr. Fred Zülli that combines two laboratory-cultivated components: alpine plant stem-cell extracts and microorganisms isolated from glaciers.
According to Firn, this complex supports skin regeneration, enhances cellular energy production, and provides protection against oxidative stress, positioning the sun stick not only as a high-protection SPF50+ product but also as a skincare treatment that addresses long-term skin health and longevity.
The product offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, blue light, and infrared radiation, with a matte, non-greasy texture designed for invisible application on the skin.
The rise of refillable packaging in the personal care sector reflects increasing consumer and brand awareness of the environmental impact of excessive packaging waste.
Recent advocacy efforts, such as Greenpeace US calling on Dove and parent company Unilever to phase out plastic packaging amid their partnership with the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlight concerns over microplastics appearing in human reproductive tissue and underscore the urgency for sustainable alternatives.
Industry events are also spotlighting refill innovation, with London Packaging Week (September 16–17, 2026) featuring presentations from packaging companies like Amcor and Spectra Packaging, as well as personal care brands such as Paco Rabanne and Cahé Cosmétique, all showcasing their latest refillable solutions.
In parallel, London-based personal care provider Suri has introduced a toothpaste system with a reusable, custom-designed pump and plant-based refill that is home-compostable after use, further illustrating the cross-category momentum behind reusable and compostable packaging formats.
Market data indicates that refillable and reusable systems now represent the highest-growth segment in the zero-waste personal care market, projected to reach USD 2.55 billion by 2035 with a 9.7% compound annual growth rate, driven by consumer eco-consciousness and regulatory pressures such as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
By 2026This year, 2026, refillable design has evolved from a niche sustainability feature to an expected option in premium skincare and makeup, with improved engineering for snap-in or twist-lock mechanisms, consistent nozzle designs, integrated seals for freshness, and clear labelling to enhance user experience.
The focus has shifted toward durable outer shells, often made from aluminium or thick acrylic, that are designed to last for years, paired with lighter, recyclable inner refills that reduce plastic usage by up to 70% compared to traditional jars.
This trajectory positions Firn’s sun stick launch, supported by Cosmogen & Asquan’s Stick ReUse system, as a timely example of how biotech innovation, premium design, and sustainable packaging can converge to meet the demands of modern consumers and the evolving regulatory landscape.
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