Colorado Manufacturer Doubles Down on Green Beauty, Boosting US Supply Chain

HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO – April 30, 2026 – In a significant move set to reshape the domestic beauty manufacturing landscape, MidSolid Press & Pour has completed a major facility upgrade that doubles its production capacity for solid personal care products. The Colorado-based contract manufacturer, a specialist in the burgeoning market of waterless beauty, is now poised to meet the soaring demand for shampoo bars, conditioner bars, and other plastic-free alternatives that are rapidly moving from niche interest to mainstream necessity.

The expansion, which includes new high-capacity press equipment, expanded blending stations, and a larger footprint for curing finished products, directly addresses a growing bottleneck in the sustainable beauty sector. As consumers, retailers, and hospitality groups intensify their push away from single-use plastics, the demand for domestically produced solid formats has outpaced the available manufacturing infrastructure. MidSolid's investment aims to close that gap, offering a more resilient and responsive supply chain for North American brands.

The Exploding Market for Waterless Cosmetics

MidSolid's expansion is not a speculative venture but a direct response to a seismic shift in the personal care industry. The market for waterless and solid cosmetics is experiencing explosive growth, with multiple market analyses projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 11% in the coming years. Some reports estimate the global waterless cosmetics market, valued at over $12 billion in 2024, could surpass $32 billion by 2033.

This growth is propelled by a confluence of powerful trends. Chief among them is an acute consumer awareness of environmental impact. A 2024 industry report revealed that 75% of women consider reducing plastic waste a critical factor in their beauty purchasing decisions. Solid bars, which can replace multiple plastic bottles of their liquid counterparts and often come in paper or compostable packaging, offer a tangible solution. Their concentrated, water-free nature also means they are lighter and more compact to ship, significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with freight and logistics.

Beyond the eco-conscious consumer, retailers are applying pressure on brands to adopt more sustainable packaging, while the “clean beauty” movement favors the simple, often preservative-free formulations that waterless products allow. These solid bars are no longer a novelty but a strategic category for both emerging indie brands and established personal care giants looking to innovate.

Unclogging the Supply Chain for Brands Big and Small

The rapid growth of the solid format category has created significant challenges, primarily in production. Many brands have struggled with long lead times and inconsistent quality from contract manufacturers who lack dedicated equipment and expertise for solid bars. MidSolid's upgrade is engineered to solve this problem.

By investing in a facility built specifically for solid formats, the company can offer faster turnarounds and more predictable production schedules. According to the company, the changes reduce lead times for private label runs and allow for larger orders without altering the minimum order quantities that make their services accessible to emerging brands. This dual capability is crucial for nurturing the next generation of beauty innovators while serving the scaling needs of established players.

The founder of MidSolid Press & Pour, identified as Creighton in the original announcement, noted that the industry's approach to solids has matured beyond trial runs. “The conversation around solid bars has matured. Brands are no longer testing the category with small batches and waiting to see what happens,” Creighton stated. “They are placing repeat orders, scaling distribution, and asking for production partners who can grow alongside them. The capacity expansion provides those brands with a manufacturing partner that can move from sample to shelf without the bottlenecks that have slowed the category in recent years.”

Hospitality's Mandate for Plastic-Free Amenities

A significant portion of the demand fueling MidSolid's expansion comes from the hospitality sector. Hotels, resorts, and short-term rental operators are aggressively phasing out the miniature plastic toiletry bottles that have long been a staple of guest bathrooms. This shift is driven by both corporate sustainability goals and a growing patchwork of state and local legislation.

California's landmark ban on small plastic bottles in hotels, which took full effect in 2024, has served as a catalyst, prompting nationwide hotel chains to proactively seek alternatives. Solid shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bars present an elegant and effective solution. They eliminate plastic waste, align with guest preferences for eco-friendly options, and can be custom-branded to enhance the property's image. By doubling its capacity, MidSolid is now better positioned to service large hotel portfolios and national hospitality groups making this transition.

Navigating a New Regulatory Landscape

Beyond scaling production, MidSolid is positioning itself as a strategic partner in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The passage of the FDA's Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) in late 2022 introduced the most significant changes to U.S. cosmetics law in over 80 years. The act mandates new requirements for facility registration, product listing, safety substantiation, and adverse event reporting.

For many brands, particularly smaller startups without dedicated regulatory teams, navigating MoCRA is a daunting task. MidSolid has expanded its in-house support to guide clients through this landscape, assisting with labeling reviews, safety documentation, and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices. This service is a critical value-add, de-risking the product launch process and ensuring that products meet the stringent standards required by major retail partners.

The company’s investment extends beyond just machinery. The expansion also provides more room for crucial research and development, a point emphasized by the founder. “Volume alone does not address the challenges in this category. The brands that succeed in solid formats are the ones with products that perform, lather, and rinse cleanly,” Creighton said. “The new equipment supports formulation work by allowing the development team room to trial without disrupting commercial production schedules.” This dual focus on scaling production and refining product quality positions the Colorado manufacturer as a pivotal player in the future of sustainable personal care.