Laminate tube filling

Laminate Tube Filling (ABL & PBL)

Laminate tubes give a formula a barrier it can't get from plain plastic, with the squeeze and shelf presence brands want. We Fill Tubes fills and seals ABL and PBL laminate tubes in diameters from 16mm to 50mm — no minimum orders, no tooling fees.

What a laminate tube is

A laminate tube is built in layers: printable plastic outside, a barrier layer in the middle, and a product-contact layer inside. That middle layer is what plain plastic tubes don't have. It slows oxygen, moisture and fragrance moving through the tube wall — in both directions — which is what protects sensitive formulas and keeps a product performing the way it did on day one.

ABL: the foil barrier

ABL (aluminum barrier laminate) uses a thin aluminum foil core. It's the strongest barrier a squeeze tube can offer — close to a metal tube's protection — while keeping the light weight, full-color print surface and squeeze feel of plastic. ABL is the go-to for formulas that oxidize, lose fragrance, or carry actives that degrade in air and light.

PBL: the all-plastic barrier

PBL (plastic barrier laminate) builds its barrier from plastic — typically an EVOH layer — instead of foil. The barrier is a step below ABL but well beyond plain PE, and the all-plastic construction keeps the tube in the plastic family from top to bottom, which matters to brands working toward recycling-friendly packaging lines.

When a formula needs laminate

If your product contains SPF actives, antioxidants, retinoids, essential oils or a fragrance you'd rather keep inside the tube, laminate is usually the right call. It's also the standard answer when a brand wants a premium printed look without giving up barrier performance — the reason so many sunscreen, skincare and personal care lines ship in laminate. Not sure which your formula needs? Our types of cosmetic tubes guide walks through the options.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between ABL and PBL tubes?
ABL laminate tubes have an aluminum foil barrier layer — the strongest barrier available in a squeeze tube. PBL tubes use a plastic barrier layer (typically EVOH): a strong barrier, though a step below foil, in an all-plastic construction.
Can you fill both ABL and PBL laminate tubes?
Yes. We fill and seal both ABL and PBL laminate tubes in diameters from 16mm to 50mm, with no minimum order and no tooling fees.
Are laminate tubes good for sunscreen?
Yes — laminate is one of the best choices for SPF products because the barrier layer helps protect the active ingredients from oxygen and light. See our sunscreen tube filling page for more on filling OTC products.
Do laminate tubes cost more to fill?
The filling work is the same as any tube run of the same size and quantity; the price difference usually sits in the tubes themselves, which you source from your tube supplier. What drives filling cost is run size, diameter and pack-out — our calculator can estimate your project.

Ready to get your tubes moving?

Send your tube size, quantity, product type and ideal timing. We’ll help you map the fastest route to production.

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