A&P Unico: A Taiwanese injector unlike any other!
Creative and dynamic, this Taiwanese company specializing in the manufacture of injection-molded plastic parts for the perfume and cosmetics industry certainly deserves to be better known in Europe, even though it claims to already have a presence in Italy and Germany! Its main export markets are also Indonesia, Turkey, Japan, and the United States. With a turnover of $25 million, a workforce of 300 employees, industrial equipment comprising 45 injection machines, one bi-injection machine and five injection-blow machines, in 2024 it invested in two new coating (spraying) lines, plus one dedicated to samples and two metallization lines. But what sets A&P Unico apart is clearly its ability to develop new packaging designs at a rate of thirty to forty-five per year, often original and mostly truly unique. Forty are already in the pipeline for 2026.
A typical example of this creativity is the fact that the Taiwanese firm was the first to design and develop the “lipstick ring,” which can be worn on the hand or used as a decoration on a lipstick. The company has obtained a functionality patent and an appearance patent for the lipstick ring. In collaboration with KOL, it sold some 750,000 in 10 minutes and no less than 2.4 million in two months throughout China, forcing the Taiwanese company to produce a whole series of new injection molds and processing machines for aluminum parts in just one month. A real record!
“We have been developing and supplying cosmetic packaging for most of the Watson Group brands for over 15 years,” explains Bonnie Huynh, Sales Director. "Recently, we designed and manufactured lip glosses and compact eye shadows for MyPartyGal’s Pink Jean series. From the choice of fabric to the braided cord and textile label, we played an important role throughout the product development process."
Overall, A&P Unico’s product range is very diverse. It ranges from lipsticks and powder compacts to bottles and jars used for packaging skincare products, makeup, and perfumes.
One of the Taiwanese company’s most iconic clients is the British luxury brand Illamasqua, which combines the words “Illumination” and “Masquerade.” The founder is from Yorkshire, England, and is passionate about the subculture (ghostly vision, punk spirit, and theater) that makes this brand so popular with young people. A&P has been involved in the creation of most of its product range!
It is also worth noting that the German Hollywood makeup brand Kryolan has been a customer of the Taiwanese company for twenty-five years.
“This year,” explains Bonnie Huynh, "we launched several models of lipsticks and airtight sticks, some of which are made entirely from PET/PETG. We have also introduced a series of decorative cosmetic packaging, including powder compacts and lip glosses with charms, which are very trendy and well received by the market. We have also launched zinc alloy gloss applicators, which provide a cooling effect when used."
Mastery of finishing techniques
This is also what makes A&P Unico unique: its mastery of certain finishing techniques. ”We introduced digital printing in 2014, and this technique is now very popular,“ explains Georges Huynh, founder and CEO. The company also offers a ”textured" thermal transfer printing technique. “Based on traditional thermal transfer printing,” explains Bonnie Huynh, “we add a soft-touch, UV, or metallic finish to certain areas of the graphic.”
The company has also developed an exclusive anti-counterfeiting technique that significantly improves product security. The system is simple: just point the flash of a cell phone at the product to see hidden patterns appear in the reflection, creating a unique visual effect. The addition of this technology does not affect the original printed visual of the product, and the hidden pattern can be customized to become the brand logo.
The company also uses lithography to create 3D effects. “We can apply this effect to plastic components, giving them a metallic look,” explains Bonnie Huynh. “With our Horizon 3D technology, you can see different images of a pattern from different angles. With our multi-layer graphic technology, we can combine multiple printed images and create an animated 3D image. With thermal transfer printing, we add a soft effect that brings the packaging to life.”
Environment and customs duties: clear answers
Due to increasingly strict regulations around the world regarding the use of plastics, seven years ago the company began developing single-material packaging, such as glosses, lipsticks, powder compacts, and PET/PETG/PP bottles. It also offers lipstick cases made entirely of aluminum with aluminum mechanisms. It has also launched a range of refillable products (lipsticks, powder compacts, bottles, and jars) to reduce plastic use.
Regarding the rise in raw material prices and customs duties on its business, its executives explain that they have established partnerships with manufacturers that produce cosmetic packaging (even though they have their own manufacturing facilities). . "While we focus on design and technical aspects of production, our partners work on cost optimization, including raw material sourcing. We maintain long-term contracts to ensure stable and controlled manufacturing costs. As for customs duties, since our main market is not the United States, the impact has been limited. However, the global economic slowdown has slightly affected our business in 2025. As a precautionary measure, we now require full payment before shipment for most of our customers."
The company confirms that, as a sustainable packaging company, it will of course continue to seek the best solutions to minimize the impact of plastic use on the environment.
