Diversifying a Clean-Beauty Icon's Packaging Supply Chain Without Compromising Sustainability or Design
A Pacific Northwest manufacturing partnership delivering FSC-certified, Sephora Planet Aware-compliant cartons for one of clean beauty's most recognizable names.
- Client
- Herbivore Botanicals
- Industry
- Clean, plant-based skincare
- Packaging Type
- Custom retail cartons (secondary packaging)
- Key Requirements
- FSC-certified paperboard, EuPIA-certified inks, Sephora Planet Aware compliance
- Manufacturing Region
- Pacific Northwest, North America
- Outcome
- A diversified, domestic supplier portfolio with no compromise on design or sustainability
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Botanicals makes clean, plant-powered skincare built around simple, non-toxic ingredients. The brand formulates without synthetic fillers and keeps every product cruelty-free, pairing pure, active botanicals with a design sensibility that's become instantly recognizable on Sephora shelves and beyond.
That recognizability is exactly what made this project a high bar to clear. Any new packaging supplier had to protect the exact look, feel, and sustainability story Herbivore's customers already trust.
Learn more about Herbivore Botanicals →
Keeping Standards High While Diversifying Supply
As an established brand already carried by major retailers, Herbivore couldn't afford any drop in quality or consistency. They needed a domestic manufacturing partner close to their production facility, plus a broader, more resilient supplier portfolio, all without introducing risk to a packaging program their customers already recognized.
- A domestic manufacturing partner near their production facility
- A diversified, more resilient supplier base
- FSC-certified paperboard and EuPIA-certified inks
- Full compliance with Sephora's Planet Aware packaging standard
- Zero compromise on the premium look customers expect
A Regional Partner, Built to Sephora's Standard
Knockout matched Herbivore with a Pacific Northwest manufacturing partner located close to their own facility, then engineered the carton to meet every material requirement Sephora's Planet Aware program calls for, without asking Herbivore to change a single design element.
- Sourced a Pacific Northwest manufacturing partner near Herbivore's facility
- Specified North American, FSC-certified paperboard
- Used EuPIA-certified inks and water-based coatings throughout
- Engineered cartons to meet Sephora Planet Aware packaging criteria
- Shortened the supply chain, simplifying logistics and lead times
Luxury and Sustainability, Delivered Together
The finished cartons give Herbivore exactly what they set out to find: a certified-sustainable packaging solution that reads as premium as the product inside. North American paperboard, eco-friendly inks, and Sephora-aligned materials came together in a carton that protects the brand's design standards while strengthening its supply chain.
- FSC-certified, Sephora Planet Aware-compliant cartons
- A diversified, domestic supplier relationship
- Faster regional logistics via Pacific Northwest production
- Design and quality maintained at Herbivore's premium standard
Common questions about this project
What is Sephora's Planet Aware packaging standard? +
Planet Aware at Sephora is one of the retailer's sustainability seals. To qualify, a brand must meet dozens of mandatory criteria spanning ingredient sourcing, packaging, corporate commitments, and consumer transparency. Packaging design and material choice is one of the core pillars evaluated.
Why does packaging need FSC-certified paperboard? +
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification verifies that paperboard is sourced from responsibly managed forests and tracked through every step of the supply chain. It's one of the material standards retailers like Sephora recognize toward their own sustainability requirements.
What are EuPIA-certified inks, and why do they matter for skincare packaging? +
EuPIA is the European Printing Ink Association, whose guidelines govern how packaging inks are formulated to limit hazardous substances. Inks that follow EuPIA guidance are a widely used benchmark for responsible print production on cosmetics and skincare cartons.
Why choose a domestic manufacturing partner for packaging? +
Manufacturing close to a brand's own facility shortens shipping distances, speeds up turnaround, and makes quality oversight easier. It also reduces reliance on any single overseas supplier, giving a brand a more resilient, diversified supply chain.
How does Knockout help brands diversify their packaging supply chain? +
Knockout draws on a global network of vetted manufacturing partners. We match each brand to the right regional facility and material set for their specific compliance needs, whether that means FSC certification, EuPIA-certified inks, or a retailer program like Sephora's Planet Aware.
