Segede: Focus on eco-design and traceability

Founded in Paris in 1955 by Pierre Trescartes, Segede has two integrated production units in Chelles in the Paris region and in Dongguan, China. It first developed its expertise in jewelry, goldsmithing, and leather goods.
Over the years, the company quickly became a recognized expert in the transformation of metals such as zamak, aluminum, brass, steel, and precious metals.
In the 1980s, the French firm gradually turned its attention to the spirits market, supplying zamak caps to major Cognac brands. Then, at the dawn of the 2000s, the firm continued its development by conquering new markets, particularly the perfume industry, and took on a new dimension by setting up its second production site in China.
The main priorities for the company’s management this year are eco-design and traceability, with the aim of announcing precise guarantees on the percentage of recycled zamak in its parts by 2026, all backed up by verifiable data. We take stock with Patrick Trescartes, Managing Director.

With two production plants in France and China, Segede has enjoyed remarkable longevity! It is one of the few family-owned companies in the luxury packaging sector. What is your recipe for success?

Patrick Trescartes: Our industrial expertise, forged over decades, has adapted to the growing demands of the luxury goods industry, including the perfume and cosmetics sector. We have developed specialized skills to create multi-material caps that offer the cool, prestigious feel of metal, particularly zamak and aluminum, combined with other materials such as plastic, resin, wood, and glass.
Zamak, a natural mineral alloy composed mainly of zinc, has conquered all sectors of the luxury industry thanks to its exceptional properties: its weight, its cool feel, the possibility of creating complex shapes and fine details, and its ability to undergo a multitude of surface treatments.
Zamak is a metal with obvious technical recyclability characteristics, and no one questions this. Unlike plastic, zamak does not require any addition of virgin material to produce a perfectly usable ingot with the same technical properties, allowing an identical product to be remade.
The question that obviously arises is: “Is this material actually recycled?” (!). We will have the conclusions in September following the publication of the report by the European Union’s committee on the standardization of materials.
Another advantage is that, with our two production sites strategically located in France and China, we control the entire manufacturing process, from design to
finishing: tooling, pressure injection, stamping, cutting, polishing, electroplating, metallization, anodizing, varnishing, lacquering, screen printing, laser engraving, etc.

What are your priorities for this year?

Patrick Trescartes: Our priority this year is mainly eco-design and traceability. We have launched an ambitious project aimed at announcing precise guarantees on the percentage of recycled zamak in our parts next year, based on verifiable data. The conclusions of the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) on zamak will finally dispel the misconceptions about its non-recyclability. In addition, at the international zinc conference to be held in Lyon on September 10 and 12, an important milestone will be reached with the official presentation of the first Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for recycled zamak. EcoInvent (a recognized leader in scientific rigor) will hold a conference there, and we strongly encourage purchasing departments to consult this work or view the report. It is time to set the record straight about this material, and it should come not from manufacturers but from independent organizations.
Finally, on this basis, we will be able to put in place all the traceability documentation for our customers. And I believe that this is the future of the packaging sector: traceability, transparency, and above all, circularity.
The question that keeps coming up is: Is Zamak properly recycled in Europe? We now know the answer, having spent eight months visiting sorting centers in France and Europe and conducting tests at glass manufacturers, etc. But it’s not up to us to say! It’s up to the legislator! We have done our job as manufacturers by sharing reliable and concrete data from the field, and we are now waiting for announcements.
In fact, 2024 will have been a period of strategic transition for us with the creation of an eco-design office integrated into the company, in order to better guide our customers and respond to future regulatory challenges in the packaging sector.
This momentum has been driven by the arrival of the third generation of the family, notably my daughter Claire, who has taken up the position of CSR Director and Head of Export Strategy. She has done a tremendous job of networking, bringing together associations, federations, recyclers, sorters, and collectors to map the entire life cycle and recycling process for zamak.
At the same time, she is driving a strong commitment to local and European production by seeking partners for certain operations (such as surface treatments) that have become scarce in France but which we are managing to find in Italy and Spain. The goal is clear: to offer a truly competitive, sustainable, and traceable alternative made in Europe by 2026.
In addition, we have chosen to strengthen our international presence, particularly in the United States, by participating in the Luxe Pack New York trade show. This choice has proven to be strategic: in the face of trade tensions between the United States and China, our French production offering has emerged as a credible and competitive alternative for many buyers.
We will also be exhibiting at Beautyworld Middle East in Dubai this year to explore new markets. Perfume is a major art form there, and we see real potential for high-end metal packaging, particularly in zamak.

Are you affected by the current international trade tensions?

Patrick Trescartes: Although this is an uncertain time for many companies (taxes, turmoil in the spirits and perfume industries, etc.), we are benefiting from the financial strength we have built up over more than 70 years in business. This robustness allows us not only to withstand the storm, but also to invest. I would remind you that we have a long-standing presence in Europe, particularly in France, the United Kingdom, and Scotland, where we work with major spirits companies (such as the Diageo group).
Today, we are testing two high-potential areas: the United States and the Middle East.
These markets share the same configuration: a strong dependence on Chinese supplies, with little local production. This creates multiple problems: logistical risks, political instability, variable quality, and a lack of traceability. In this context, our position as an integrated manufacturer based in Europe and China is a major asset. We are not traders or subcontractors: we control the production chain, which is rare in our sector.
Finally, we are investing in more efficient industrial facilities and in the development of complete traceability for our materials, from their carbon footprint to their recyclability. It’s an ambitious roadmap, but one that will enable us to consolidate our leadership position in high-end metal packaging.

Any new products this year?

Patrick Trescartes: Some developments are still confidential. In perfumery, we have developed a cap for the Piver brand and a miniature for Maison Francis Kurkdjian. It’s worth noting that we recently finalized a new version of a spirit for the Glenmorangie brand with a cap and collar from the “Signet” model, an iconic product. We used our patented clip technology, which completely eliminates glue while ensuring a perfect seal. It was a real technical challenge!

A word about your standard products?

Patrick Trescartes: We offer a whole collection of standard zamac and aluminum caps designed to meet these needs. Niche brands can thus access custom-made luxury caps while controlling their development costs.
We offer five models in different sizes (the TERRA cap, the LOTUS cap, the IRIS cap, the FLORE cap, and the BAMBOU cap). All of our caps are suitable for FEA 15 pumps, and we offer five cap models in different sizes, suitable for FEA 15 and SNI pumps. Customizable with engraving or screen printing of a logo, our covers offer a wide range of finishes (galvanization, varnish, lacquer, some can be adapted for magnetic closure).
Please note that we are launching two new standards, including a Gallet shape and Bamboo in different sizes.