Today I bring you another of those unique products born under sustainability insights. It is Shellmet, the ecological bicycle helmet designed with scallops. From Japan comes this creation of Quantum (startup) with the companies TBWA Hakuhodo and Koushi Chemical Industry. This alliance takes advantage of a waste that is generated by the tons in the country.
One of the clam species most consumed by the Japanese is the scallop. We can imagine the amount of waste it generates and so the company has decided to use 40,000 tons of shells discarded at the landfill in the village of Sarufutsu.
This idea gave birth to the first ecological helmet, Shellmet, made from an emulsion of recycled plastic and calcium carbonate from the shells. A threat turned into an opportunity, which at the same time helps to reduce the environmental impact.
Shellmet is a naming that is created by merging the English words shell and hull
This product offers interesting functional properties, such as insulation against extreme temperatures, vibrations and shocks. It is also highly resistant. Finally, the calcium carbonate makes the hull extremely light, insulating it well against temperatures.
As for its design, we can point out that it projects its origin by representing the ribbed shapes of scallops. Originally, its idea was focused on a protective helmet for the fishing community. But Shellmet has found an interesting niche in Japan, which, as in other countries, requires all cyclists to wear protective helmets.
The brand’s helmets are available, for the moment, in different shades. These include pink, blue, sand, coral white and black.
Photo credit: KC
