Marc Prieur, Aptar: “What are the best ways to boost agility and resilience while staying flexible?”

The Aptar Group is undoubtedly one of the most iconic companies in the history of healthcare and beauty packaging worldwide. It was formed through the merger of several companies created after World War II, each specializing to varying degrees in the development and production of systems for dispensing different products. then acquired in the 1960s by the Pittway Corporation Group, followed in the 1980s by a long period during which the Group continued to grow in the manufacture of spray valves and pumps, finally being listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1993. Aptar is now worth $3.6 billion and employs no fewer than 13,000 people in some 20 countries. One of the highlights of recent months has been the opening of a new site dedicated to the beauty sector in Querétaro, Mexico. This site, the second in the country and the eighth in Latin America, will strengthen the Group’s production capacity in the region. We take stock with Marc Prieur*, President of Aptar Beauty.

Highlights from the first six months of 2025 recently published by your Group (compared to the same period last year) show that reported and underlying sales increased by 2%, reported net income increased by 10% to $191 million, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 8% to $402 million. So, everything is going pretty well?!

Marc Prieur: Certainly, but the market remained complex and unstable in 2024, marked by economic fluctuations and an uncertain political and tariff environment. As a player at the upstream end of the value chain, we were able to demonstrate our adaptability, while still feeling the effects of market turbulence. Despite this, it is true that we are seeing a gradual recovery in demand in the prestige fragrance segment in 2025, driven by moderate but steady growth.
The beauty segment has improved its margins through rigorous cost management and increased productivity, even though revenue growth has remained modest.
However, trade tensions and tariff increases are, of course, being closely monitored. Thanks to our global presence, we have been able to limit the direct impact on our business. This international presence strengthens our resilience, allowing us to remain flexible and responsive to market fluctuations and economic and regulatory uncertainties.
It is clear that our regionalized production strategy enables us to quickly adapt our supply chains and respond to changes in our customers’ sourcing strategies. To date, the net effect of tariffs remains limited, but we remain vigilant.
In this regard, one of the highlights of recent months has been the continuation of our industrial investment strategy with the opening of a new beauty-dedicated site in Querétaro, Mexico. This site, our second in the country and eighth in Latin America, further strengthens our production capacity in the region. This Mexican hub plays a strategic role in our organization: it embodies our “local for local” approach, which strengthens our agility, resilience, and ability to support future growth in the Americas.
I would like to remind you that Aptar Beauty is present in more than 20 countries, with industrial hubs in Europe, North America, Asia, and a strengthened presence in Latin America thanks to local production. In Asia, our strategy is based on two partnerships: BTY, in which Aptar is now the majority shareholder, enabling us to accelerate our development in makeup and grow our Custom business through integrated design and decoration capabilities; and Goldrain, a Chinese pump manufacturer, which strengthens our industrial flexibility and new product offering in China and Southeast Asia.
Our strengths lie in our capacity for innovation, our technical expertise in dispensing, and our commitment to greater circularity and sustainability, which are increasingly decisive criteria for international brands.
In Asia, and particularly in China, innovation is focused on customization, precision, and “mixology,” which are in line with local consumer expectations. The market is also increasingly demanding custom packaging that combines design, functionality, and speed to market.

You are one of America’s 100 most sustainable companies according to Barron’s, one of the most responsible companies according to Newsweek, among the “world’s best companies for women” according to Forbes, one of the world’s most sustainable companies according to TIME, and among the 100 best corporate citizens according to 3BL Media. Environmental and social considerations have become essential for all players in the beauty sector.

Marc Prieur: It should be noted, however, that pumps account for only about 5% of the total volume of plastic used. Environmental responsibility rests largely with brands, particularly through their choice of bottles, which constitute the majority of the material used. We are, of course, a committed and proactive player in the ecological transition. We have joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative and have set ourselves three major goals to be achieved by the end of 2025:
• 10% recycled content in our distribution solutions.
• Elimination of problematic resins such as POM, PVC, and BPA.
• 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging.
We are very transparent in our approach to greater circularity (see our ESG reports) and are constantly striving to improve our product portfolio. We have already removed POM from our main ranges, including INUNE prestige fragrance pumps in our personal care products. And our latest innovations, such as the single-material “Future Tamper-Evident” lotion pump with our two push-button models, ‘Fenix’ and “Pegaso,” illustrate our desire to combine performance, safety, and circularity.

This environmental pressure is reflected in most of the new products you have just released!

Marc Prieur: That’s right! Nomad Refill is the first 10 ml spray that can be refilled directly onto the perfume bottle in less than five seconds. Compatible with all large-format perfumes with standard screw caps, Nomad Refill ensures fast, clean, and secure refilling with a simple gesture. This technological innovation improves the home refill experience while offering premium customization options that enhance the brand image and desirability of the product. Advance Collection is a range of highly recyclable, all-plastic lotion and spray pumps, suitable for personal care and compatible with e-commerce requirements.
There is also the “Derma Series,” a selection of cross-technology packaging and dispensing solutions dedicated to dermocosmetic brands, with references adapted to even the most sensitive formulations and treatments (preservative-free or highly concentrated). Finally, there is TSP (Trigger Spray All Plastic), a fully plastic, highly recyclable trigger spray pump designed for the home care market. It offers a gentle spray, high compatibility with formulas (even corrosive ones), and numerous customization options.

*Marc Prieur was appointed President of Aptar Beauty, formerly Aptar Beauty + Home, in December 2019. During his 20-year career, Marc has made a significant contribution to Aptar, having lived and worked in Europe, the United States, and China. His diverse experience includes leadership roles in sales and operations for consumer healthcare in Europe and within Aptar’s pharmaceutical business in Asia.
Most recently, Marc served as president of the Food + Beverage division and previously was vice president of operational excellence for Aptar, further strengthening his solid operational excellence.