A Filipino student from the University of the Philippines Diliman has earned international recognition for his groundbreaking invention that could revitalize the country’s declining salt industry.
John Carlo Luna Reyes, an industrial design student, was named the Philippine national winner of the 20th James Dyson Award for his invention SolAsin, a compact, solar-powered flaky salt-farming unit designed to empower coastal communities and provide them with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Reviving a Declining Industry
The Philippines currently imports 93% of its salt needs, despite the passage of the Salt Industry Development Law. The decline of local salt production has been attributed to climate change, limited technological advancements, lack of consistent government support, urbanization, and even the reclamation of coastal areas, leaving traditional salt beds disrupted and local communities without viable income sources.
Reyes’ invention offers an accessible, eco-friendly alternative. SolAsin uses seawater, sunlight, and occasional remixing to produce premium flaky salt, a high-value product that can be sold to restaurants, hotels, and tourists. Unlike traditional salt beds that require vast land and capital, SolAsin is compact, sustainable, and community-friendly.
“In Pangasinan, I saw firsthand how salt farming declined and how families lost opportunities,” Reyes shared. “SolAsin is my way of giving back—an innovation that is simple, scalable, and rooted in community empowerment.”
Recognition and Next Steps
Reyes refined SolAsin through fieldwork, prototypes, and consultations with coastal residents, local governments, and environmental offices. His design impressed the judges for its social impact, practicality, and income-generating potential.
He received ₱361,300 in prize money, which he plans to use to improve the design and prepare for mass production.
“SolAsin stood out for its simplicity, scalability, and social impact,” said Dr. Jaine Cadoc-Reyes, national judge and professor at UP Los Baños. Melvin John Dela Peña, Senior Programme Manager at Dyson, added: “It embodies Dyson’s ethos of problem-solving through iterative design.”
Runners-Up from Mindanao
Joining SolAsin in advancing to the international stage are two entries from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT):
- ChillWise – a passive cooling panel system made from agro-waste and foamed concrete that reduces energy use by up to 95%.
- Lambooply – a sustainable composite material combining bamboo and Lampakanay grass for construction and design applications.
Looking Ahead
SolAsin, ChillWise, and Lambooply will now compete in the international stage of the James Dyson Award, with the Top 20 shortlist set for October 15 and the global winners to be announced on November 5. The ultimate prize includes ₱2,168,000 and global recognition.
The James Dyson Award, now in its 20th year, continues to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers to address pressing global issues. To date, the competition has supported over 400 problem-solving inventions worldwide with more than ₱70 million in prize money.
“This recognition is more than just a personal achievement—it is a win for the communities that inspired SolAsin,” Reyes said. “I hope this sparks more young Filipino innovators to create solutions that uplift our people and industries.”
