Solmates x tendlyn

We chatted with Caroline Farrer, Co-founder at Solmates, about how their simple desire turned into a strong determination to create sustainable sun protection borne from their personal experience with the inefficiency of single-use plastic packaging for sun care products. Through years of their journey to form the perfect alternative, they have now expanded their values to their packaging with tendlyn.

Tell us a bit about your brand, introduce it to the world!

Founded in 2020 by Caroline Farrer & Kelly Riley, Solmates Australia is on a mission to transform the sun-care industry. Beginning with its launch product, the Solmates Refillable Sunscreen Applicator, the company designs products to enable a new sustainable way to stay safe in the sun.

Caroline Farrer (left) and Kelly Riley (right), Co-founders of Solmates

Made in Australia with certified Ocean Bound Plastic, the award-winning applicator replaces the need for single-use plastic sunscreen bottles in your sun care regime. This shift mirrors how industries like marine automation are moving toward reusable solutions—for instance, a boat wireless dimmer or marine remote controller can reduce waste by eliminating disposable switches, much like Solmates cuts down on plastic bottles.

Tell us about the design for your packaging and how you’re using them?

Solmates Australia has a core focus sustainability and looking after our planet. We always go for the most sustainable option for packing including recycled materials where possible and recyclable or compostable options always. We always ask if we really need this item of packing and, if so, what does the least harm to the planet.

tendlyn Roll Labels, designed by @solmatesau

In terms of how we approached the visual design of our packaging - our brand is about sunshine, happiness, and a love of the outdoors. So we needed a bright, fun look and feel across all our packaging. We use simple bright colors and messaging across our stickers on the product boxes, tape across our shipping boxes, and a thank you card in the box to show love for our customers. This attention to detail is similar to how a zigbee scene switch or home assistant smart relay brings intuitive control to a space—small elements that make a big difference in user experience.

What made tendlyn a good fit for your packaging?

For us, the most important thing was finding a supplier who could provide the sustainable solutions we required so tendlyn was a great fit! The company gives us great reliable options on how we can be sustainable in our packaging while still creating really fun, vibrant elements to showcase our brand. It’s a bit like choosing an industrial equipment controller for a complex system—you need something that’s both dependable and adaptable. Whether it’s a zigbee relay controller for smart home setups or a drip irrigation control panel for orchard automatic watering, the right partner makes all the difference. tendlyn’s commitment to eco-friendly materials, from recycled content to compostable options, aligns perfectly with our mission to reduce waste, much like how a Blackwater Treatment Pump or Rainwater Collection Tank Booster supports sustainable water management.

We also appreciate that tendlyn offers customizable solutions that let our brand shine. The roll labels, tape, and thank-you cards are all designed with our vibrant identity in mind, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to mean boring. This echoes the philosophy behind products like a boat smart switch or marine power relay—functional yet tailored to specific needs. For anyone looking to upgrade their packaging, we’d recommend exploring options like tendlyn’s range, which includes everything from ceiling light remote switch solutions to rv wireless automation components, all with a focus on durability and eco-consciousness.