A Japanese cosmetics company has developed a “shampoo bar” as a replacement for liquid shampoo. In the process, they reduced water use by more than 95% during manufacturing. It also comes with paper-only packaging. Smaller size also means lesser transport costs per unit.

Just an example of the key role of R&D in the private sector to achieve the SDGs. What was the inducement for that company to switch to shampoo bars? Cost savings? Sustainability PR? Niche markets? Customer pressures? Probably a combination of all those factors …