Taiwan students get gold in Paris for loofah wrap

The unassuming loofah has won gold at France’s prestigious Concours Lepine invention competition. Students from National United University were awarded for turning dried gourd into a reusable packaging material for bottles of wine or oil. This loofah wrap protects the bottle from damage during transport. It can be used to replace unsustainable materials like styrofoam and bubble wrap.

An English-language presents the invention. It looks no different from an ordinary loofah sponge, but it’s used not to scrub dishes but hold bottles.

This invention is the brainchild of students from the Department of Industrial Design at National United University.

They also turned loofah into shoe trees that promote air circulation, eliminate bad odors, and can even be used as a shoe duster. Thanks to its heat-insulating and shock-absorbent properties, the loofah can also enjoy a new life as coffee cup sleeves and egg carriers. In Paris, judges were impressed by how loofah packaging can be used again and again.

Xu Jie-zhong
National United University
Overseas they really value environmental sustainability, and they want to cut plastic use as much as possible. Everything from the disposal of these loofah products to their production is kind to the Earth. We hope that this thing can bring a little change to this world.

After winning gold in Paris, the loofah wrap for bottles has gotten attention from a packaging vendor for its unique shock-absorbent properties. Its student developers aim to bring it to market, and show the world how small details can make a big difference.

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