PPE and K-World-ism jointly develop 'soap dispenser' and 'soap dish'
Panasonic Production Engineering Co., Ltd. has jointly developed the washroom and bathroom goods "Soap dispenser: Albero" and "Soap dish" with K-World-ism Co. (Headquarter : Osaka, Company President : Kenji Sawai), utilising "kinari"*1, a moulding material in which plant-derived cellulose fibres are mixed into the resin at a high concentration of 55%. The products will be launched by the K-World-ism Lindpark division in early May.
The Panasonic Group started research and development to reduce the amount of petroleum-derived resin in 2015, and in 2019 developed a composite processing technology to mix cellulose fibre, a naturally derived component, into resin at a 55% concentration. From January 2022, the moulding material with a high concentration of cellulose fibre have been on test sale under the brand "kinari".*2
Meanwhile, the Panasonic Group and K-World-ism have been developing products using 'kinari' as raw material since 2021. This time, by combining our kinari moulding process technology with K-World-ism's mould and moulding technology, we have created a soap dispenser 'Albero' and a soap dish which has a natural wood-like matt texture to the touch and appearance.
The Albero soap dispenser and Soap dish will be available from early May as a thank-you gift for "furusato nozei (hometown tax) in Yao City, Osaka, as well as through mass merchandisers and mail order.
Through creating an everyday product that helps reduce the environmental impact, we aim to contribute to the realisation of a sustainable society.
[About Albero soap dispenser and Soap dish]
■Environmental friendliness:
Contains 55% cellulose fibre, reducing the use of petroleum-derived resin.
■Functionality:
- Albero: The mechanism is designed to use every drop of liquid in the container without wasting any.
- Soap dish: The sloping wave grooves allow water droplets from soap and sponges to fall into the bowl.
■Design:
Leveraging the unique characteristics of 'kinari', which contains a high concentration of cellulose fibres, we realised a natural, high-quality texture that could be mistaken for wood. The product has a warm appearance.
The product will be released by the Lindpark division of K-World-ism, a high-end lifestyle products company. The raw material, 'kinari', is an eco-material developed by Panasonic Group containing micronised pulp components. As the main raw material is pulp refined from wood from forest thinning and other sources, it is expected to contribute to the reduction of plastic waste*3. Realising the functionality and design quality as well as reducing the usage of petroleum-based plastic and environmental impact, the aim is to expand the products in the market and to further enhance the image of an environmentally friendly product.
In response to social issues such as global warming caused by increased CO2 emissions and the ocean plastic problem, legislation banning single-use plastic containers is spreading, particularly in Europe and Asian countries. In Japan, a nationwide charge for plastic shopping bags was implemented in July 2020, further raising awareness of the single-use plastic issue.
In 2017, the Panasonic Group formulated its Environmental Vision 2050 and is promoting development activities to achieve both a better life and a sustainable global environment. We will continue to promote corporate activities for the realisation of a sustainable society, through initiatives such as the development of products using 'kinari'.
■K-World-ism website: http://k-worldism.com
*1: 'kinari' is a registered trademark of Panasonic Holdings Co.
*2: Panasonic Group press release.
Start of sample sales of highly concentrated cellulose fibre moulding material 'kinari'.
https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/data/2021/12/jn211201-2/jn211201-2.html
3: Please follow the recycling rules of your local authority.
■Press release
https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/data/2022/04/jn220419-3/jn220419-3.html
Release date: 19 Apr 2022.
