Salt packaging

WHAT IT DOES?
My idea is to use salt layering and compression to create a packaging for bath salt and market it as a luxury product. This bath salt is packaged into a salt sculpture that reminds of the Himalayan salt lamps or bricks. Since packaging is made from salt and it dissolves it could be seen as zero waste solution.

HOW IT WORKS?
This packaging is made through salt crystal layering and after that compressed in necessary shape. Compression brings the material enough strength that can be compared to common vernacular building materials such as ice, rammed earth and simple masonry structures. Salt compression is also used to create salt blocks for horses and other animals to lick. Since I’m using unrefined salt that means the salt will have the same minerals as Himalayan salt lamps, and it could be equivalent to having such lamp, but kept in or near bath. This production method is inspired by Karlijn Sibbel’s project INDUSTRY BY NATURE / crystal layering and from already industry used technique of salt compression in which it creates salt blocks that are conventionally made by compressing salt under a pressure of about ten tons per square inch. The blocks are firm, compact masses of any desired size or shape and which are readily handled.

Inside this packaging would be Bath salts that are water soluble, pulverized minerals that are added to water to be used for bathing. They are said to improve cleaning, enhance the enjoyment of bathing, and serve as a vehicle for cosmetic agents. Bath salts have been developed to mimic the properties of natural mineral baths or hot springs.

This packaging was inspired by Berlin-based designer Jonna Breitenhuber’s project of shampoo packaged in soap bar.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?
I find this project important, because it gives salt a new purpose and can offer zero waste counterpart to classic disposable packaging. This new purpose for salt can create more uses for thus more salt will be obtained and balance the salt levels, that recently have reached dangerous heights.

3D sketch of the packaging embedded in salt crystals

Sketches

System model

This system model helped me to understand general circulation of salt and see how salt consumption can be used as a "balancing system" to help with salt over saturation in salt lakes. It also can help to understand the life cycle of this product and packaging.

Inspiration

Making this concept I looked at designers and artists who have already worked with salt. I looked at how salt can be branded and similar packaging in different fields.

I looked into how salt blocks are made and used, their durability and benefits.

My biggest inspiration was Berlin-based designer Jonna Breitenhuber's project of packaging shampoo in a soap bar.

Project plan