Soapbottle intends to eliminate single-use plastic bottles and pumps by providing a solid soap bar – and eventually plans to evolve the concept into rigid packaging for liquid soap.
Originally, the Soapbottle concept was envisioned as liquid soap in a bottle made from solid soap. This would mean the empty container itself could be used as hand soap and wash away over time – theoretically avoiding packaging waste altogether.
“After extensive research and development, we realized the need to take more time for our original liquid-in-a-packaging-made-from-soap product,” the company says on its FAQ page. “In the meantime, we decided to launch Soapbottle Solids, offering the same design-forward, eco-conscious values in solid form.”
The Soapbottle Solids bars are described as highly concentrated and reportedly consume ‘far less’ water in the production stage. At approximately 11 cm x 5.5 cm x 2.5 cm in size, the 150g bars are thought to be larger and more durable than a conventional soap; the company suggests that 3 oz of bar soap is equivalent to approximately 12 oz of a liquid equivalent.
Bar soap is also said to lather faster, and therefore last longer, than ‘watered down’ liquid soap. One Soapbottle Solid bar is expected to last for around 2-4 months with regular use, but this can vary.
Without a bottle, the bar is set to avoid leaks and spills. It is designed to be lightweight and easy to transport for use on the go.
Additionally, the Soapbottle Solid is reported to be biodegradable – a feature hoped to help minimize its environmental impact.
A cotton ribbon, manufactured at a traditional German ribbon weaving mill and described as plastic-free, is also provided with the soap bar. Consumers are encouraged to thread it through a hole in the soap, then tie the ends together in a knot to avoid fraying; the ribbon can then be used to hang the soap somewhere in the bathroom.
Soapbottle does not provide its own hooks yet, as this was considered too expensive to manufacture for the first product batch. The company plans to develop these in the future; until then, it recommends hanging the soap from a consumer’s own hook or shower curtain rod, or else storing the bar on a soap dish or well-draining surface to extend its lifespan.
Consumers can purchase the Soapbottle in a two-in-one gift and shipping box. The front of the box, which displays the shipping label, can be torn away on a perforated line, leaving behind a gift box designed to avoid unnecessary packaging.
“By switching to solid soap, you’re not just reducing waste—you’re choosing a product that works just as well, if not better, while aligning with your commitment to sustainability,” the company says.
In a previous development, Procter and Gamble revealed bar formats for its Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Herbal Essences, and Aussie shampoo and conditioner products. Artur Litarowicz, P&G’s head of beauty Europe, spoke to Packaging Europe about the market drivers and consumer research behind the launch, the advantages of the solid bar format, and more.
Similarly, BBDO has created a solid shampoo that broadcasts sustainability messages in a ‘dissolvable font’. Its familiar bottle shape it set to make the concept more approachable for consumers, and the design has been open-sourced to encourage local artisans to embrace the format.
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