People around the world, mostly Europe, know the glue, Coccoina…. a fantastic story of packaging, advertising and design. First manufactured in Italy in 1927, Coccoina glue is a memory of many Europeans’ childhood.
They remember from their school days, the classic aluminum can and brush with the wonderful scent of almond. It reproduces an avalanche of memories for those people born in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and is still charming its users today.
Created 90 years ago by Italian businessman, Aldo Balma, along with Andrea Capoduri, the little unbreakable aluminum can with the brush holder in the center has, over the years become a bit of an icon in the arts and crafts world. The principle features of the glue was that, aside from its adhesive quality, it was solvent free, dried quickly, was reversible with water and would not wrinkle paper. Though the glue is considered a solid, it has a consistency that’s neither wet nor dry, and the container provides mess-free use and storage that lasts up to a year. Add in the enticing almond scent and users were completely smitten with the stuff. Those sentiments are still in place today.
A thin spread of the glue works well on paper, photos, clothes, labels, and any art project you can get your hands on, and perhaps the most welcome feature is the tiny brush that comes tucked away inside. Any surface where you need a smooth spread of paste can be achieved with this miniature aluminum paintbrush and its tiny bristles of pig hair.
Potato starch and water are cooked in a double-boiler to produce it. Glycerin and almond essence are added once the mixture is softened. Then when the paste is ready, it is decanted for a month in the tins, after which it is ready for use.
Unchanged in recipe, design, and packaging since its launch in 1927, the product line now includes various sizes of liquid glue, stick, and vinyl, as well as new paper products and multi packs.
In 2015, the company expanded into several new ventures: a new product called “Coccoina Mia”, a white, non-toxic, vinyl glue packed in a small tube making it perfect for travel or school…and it has the same heady scent of almond.
Also new, in 2015 was the introduction of line of paper stationery accessories, designed in conjunction with, and fully crafted by Rossi1931. This was Coccoina’s first foray into paper items and it included different sizes of notepads and notebooks in various formats. The covers offered beautiful and rare vintage images of the famous Coccoina advertising, in a classic style, while the inside pages were scented with the unmistakable fragrance of almond, typical of all the Coccoina products.
After the success of these first paper items, Rossi and Coccoina have now developed a new pastel assortment; four assorted colors in notebooks and notepads. The line includes two ruled and wire bound notepads in two different sizes and two softcover notebooks, also in two sizes, which have been elegantly stitched. The covers are decorated with an embossed trimming identical to the one on the original Coccoina aluminum tin, while the internal pages, in ivory paper, are imbued with the characteristic almond fragrance of all Coccoina glues.
Each piece is packaged in a single transparent envelope, labelled with description and barcode.
As were the first notepads and notebooks, these are made with the same high quality standards as all Rossi products. And, as the original products, these too come with a specially designed counter display and colorful header to support the products’ visibility in the store and create ease of merchandising. The attractive display contains four pieces of paper products per style and eight aluminum cans of glue. This time the tins of glue are in the same matching pastel colors as the notebooks and pads.
The managing director of Coccoina was kind enough to explain
“We have known the Rossi Company for more than 30 years and we appreciate their creativity and their high quality products; just like Rossi, our company too, is among the ones which are most connected to the ideal of true ‘Made in Italy’. We are pleased to have this collaboration with Rossi for the supply of all the paper products of our line of Coccoina merchandise.”
The initiative and collaboration with Rossi, originally unveiled at the trade fair, PaperWorld , in Frankfurt, is a strengthening of the “Coccoina” name and logo in the stationery market, with products that are well established and cohesive for home, school and office.
Of both Rossi1931 and Coccoina (Balma, Capoduri & C), it can be said:
“Passion for manufacturing, innovation, efficiency, ‘made in Italy’, social responsibility and respect for the environment… These values have always been our landmarks”.
As one admirer said, “Coccoina is not simply a glue, but an icon here in Italy.”
For more information on Coccoina products or any products manufactured by Balma, Capoduri &C, go to www.balmacapoduri.it
Coccoina can also be found on Facebook or on Instagram.
Although it is not sold through the manufacturer on-line, Coccoina can be found on Amazon or MOMA on line, as well as select high end stationery stores.
Balma, Capoduri & C. s.p.a.
Via Thomas A. Edison, 4
27058 – Voghera (PV)
Phone: 0383.212012 – Fax: 0383.41164
e-mail: info@zenithbc.com
www.zenithbc.com
