| KAGAWA, Dec. 15 – A manufacturer and seller of plastic products in Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture, Kawasaki Kako Co., Ltd., has developed a very innovative product, a helmet that can also be used as a bowl to serve udon noodles.
The product is called Udon Helmet and is made of biomass plastic derived from domestically grown rice. It measures 10 centimeters in height, 18 centimeters in width, and 26 centimeters in length, including a brim – big enough for an adult to wear. It’s designed to sit stable on a table when used as a large bowl for three portions of udon wheat noodles. The brim can efficiently hold condiments, such as grated ginger. Biomass plastic products are good for the environment but relatively expensive. So, the company decided to add higher value to make them popular. It uses the material derived from domestically produced rice, for which the company has the processing know-how and procurement routes. The Udon Helmet was released in July this year as a product inspired by udon noodles, a specialty of the prefecture. It comes in 10 colors and two types: one made from biomass plastic and one made from plastic. “We’d like it to create stronger helmets out of natural materials, which can be used to protect you right away even when you are enjoying udon,” the company president, Isao Kawasaki, said.  Udon Helmet made of biomass plastic derived from domestically-grown rice (in Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture) |