The new Unilever ‘upside down’ roll-on (concept used for all its roll-on deodorant products), produced by Promens Packaging, received 2 awards during the last Starpack Summit organised by the British Institute of Packaging (IoP) in London:
 
> Gold Award in the category " Technical Innovation Award / Component development "
 
> Silver Award in the category "Technical Innovation Award / Consumer product"
 
The ‘upside-down’ roll-on for deodorants required significant technical expertise to ensure that leakage was prevented, while providing consistent dosage of the product. The design means that the product is in constant contact with the ball applicator when the container is inverted.
This significantly enhances the pack’s functionality and gives consumers an easy-to-use pack that delivers up to the last drop of product. A one-way valve not only prevents leakage and ensures the ball is always wet, but also provides a consistent dosage of the product to the ball applicator. Product glides on in one smooth, continuous motion.
 
As the lead supplier for the project, Promens was responsible for ensuring that the combined components performed to the customer’s requirements. This required technical excellence as well as strong project management to meet the demanding specification and deadlines for the worldwide launch of the Unilever pack. Promoted with a very large and strong advertising campaign, the upside down roll-on is already a big success on the personal care market.
Claimed by Unilever to be the smoothest roll-on in the world, the upside-down roll-on features four patented designs. It is the result of several years’ collaboration between Promens Packaging and Unilever HPC.
 
To meet the environmental requirements, this new tottle roll-on uses less plastic than conventional roll-ons and the manufacturing process is more energy efficient.