‘Shellmets’: Safety Gear That Give Scallop Shells A Second Lease Of Life

Pretty shells on the beach are not just a souvenir from your time out in the sun or decoration for your sandcastles; they can also protect your head.
 
TBWA\Hakuhodo and Osaka-based Koushi Chemical Industry Co. have found a way to reduce the detrimental effects of discarded scallops and shellfish by turning them into helmets.

The idea was first fished out from a small island off the coast of Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. According to Koushi Chemical Industry Co. Japan generally consumes a large number of scallops and shellfish, which has led to an immense amount of shell waste. By leaving the shells on the ground, locals fear it might contaminate the soil.
 
Hence the idea came forward to upcycle the waste and mix it with recycled plastic to form Shellstic. This new form of plastic not only reduces CO2 emissions but is fortified by adding recycled plastic to turn it into a solid and durable material. From this came ‘Shellmet’, or ‘Hotamet’ in Japanese, which combines the words hotate (scallops) and helmet.

On top of that, the Shellmet has a ribbed structure on its top which mimics a scallop shell and also adds 30% more strength than normal hardhats have. 
 
The gear was designed by Shintaro Monden, who created them in five different colors to represent the ocean: Coral White, Sunset Pink, Sand Cream, Ocean Blue, and Deep Black.

Shellmet is not only being used for fishermen or construction purposes, but there are also plans to use it during earthquakes and bouts of abnormal weather. However, the producers do also note that it is not motorcycle-approved.
 
The helmet will go on sale in March for JP¥4,800 (US$37).
 
 
 
[via Wallpaper and Koushi Chemical Industry Co., images via Koushi Chemical Industry Co.]