As the global commitment to carbon neutrality intensifies, minimizing waste generation has become a focal point of interest worldwide. The shampoo market is no exception, witnessing efforts to transition plastic packaging to biodegradable alternatives. In line with this trend, there is a growing demand for solid shampoo bars.

According to a report by Grand View Research on the shampoo bar market, the global market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.6% from 2015 to 2025, reaching an estimated size of around $17 million. Factors contributing to this growth include increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of plastic shampoo containers and a heightened perception of personal hygiene and safety concerning chemical substances. The demand for shampoos extracted from organic, herbal, and natural ingredients is expected to be stimulated.

Geographically, the North American market stands out as the largest, constituting 65.7% of total revenue in 2018. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is forecasted to experience the fastest growth at an average annual rate of 8.2% from 2019 to 2025.In the Korean market, one company stands at the forefront of solid shampoo bar production. BSTN (Zero West Lifestyle), a company based in Siheung, produces the "ECO BRICK," a solid shampoo bar targeting a zero-waste lifestyle.

CEO Jung Soo-in emphasized the eco-friendly image of "ECO BRICK," stating, "It focuses on preventing waste generation and uses paper for packaging, ensuring recyclability." He highlighted the company's research and development efforts to enhance quality by blending powder-type raw materials into a solid form, emphasizing the improvement of shampoo bar quality rather than traditional soap.BSTN's product addresses environmental concerns by eliminating harmful synthetic surfactants, silicones, and paraffins while providing a satisfying user experience with abundant foam for hair cleansing without leaving hair stiff. Moreover, the product overcomes the drawback of soap-type products by not dissolving upon contact with water.

The company responds to evolving consumer quality demands by incorporating natural ingredients such as lavender essential oil, fermented fish oil, beet, and turmeric into the product. BSTN has introduced acidic solid shampoo bars for health and damaged hair care, as well as scalp care, with plans to mass-produce all-in-one products for cleansing and children's use in the future, currently producing around 3,000 units per day.

CEO Jung noted the growing trend of solid shampoo bar demand in North America and Europe, contrasting with the prevailing preference for liquid shampoo in the Korean market. However, with the increasing emphasis on environmental regulations and user demands for scalp-friendly products, the outlook for the solid shampoo bar replacing the liquid shampoo market appears promising.

In response to these trends, BSTN announced its commitment to expanding its domestic market share continually. Additionally, the company plans to venture into Southeast Asia, North America, and European markets, aligning with the global movement towards sustainable and eco-friendly personal care products.