Barriers to the Circular Transition: Insights from an Exploratory Study on Solid Cosmetics

Matilde Banti and Tommaso Luzzati

Discussion Papers from Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Abstract: The transition toward sustainability increasingly challenges the cosmetics industry to redesign its products and business models. Solid cosmetics - formulations without water and with minimal packaging - are positioned as eco-innovations that could reduce plastic waste and resource intensity. However, their market penetration remains limited. Existing research on the barriers to their diffusion is scarce and mainly focuses on consumer perspective. This paper first outlines the environmental benefits of solid cosmetics, then reviews the main barriers discussed in the literature. Given the near absence of studies addressing the business perspective, we conducted exploratory interviews to address this gap. Drawing on these interviews, we propose a preliminary interpretative framework to interpret the barriers hindering the diffusion of solid cosmetics and the systemic linkages shaping their market dynamics. The study offers implications for communication strategies and policy interventions supporting a transition toward more sustainable cosmetic practices.

Keywords: Barriers to diffusion; Sustainability transitions; Circular innovations; Plastic waste reduction; Material Efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q01 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-02-01
Note: ISSN 2039-1854
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pie:dsedps:2026/327

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