PEUGEOT invents the world’s most advanced salt grinding mechanism
Making its global debut at Ambiente, the « Zirlion » is a groundbreaking, one-of-a-kind innovation. Peugeot thus becomes the first brand to guarantee the creation of glacier-fine salt in just seconds which not only reveals the true taste of salt but also enhances its intensity with the smallest dose — A clear advantage for health. This remarkable innovation once again allows Peugeot – the lion-branded company – to leave its mark on the history of industrial design.
Since the launch of its first coffee grinder in 1840, Peugeot has never stopped pursuing its research and development efforts, enabling it to develop major innovations and remain a pioneer in its category: cast iron pepper mill (1855), wall-mounted mill (1920), electric coffee grinders (1930), nutmeg mill (1989), electric pepper mill (1997), chili and Guérande salt mills (2003), U’Select grinding adjustment system (2004), rechargeable electric mills (2005), mill without a central spindle (2008), touch-activated electric mill (2011), wet salt mill (2014), flaxseed and sesame seed mill (2017), cinnamon mill (2019)
In the world of spices, Peugeot’s adventure continues with the development of « Zirlion » in 2025—a truly unique product on the market, the result of three years of development. This mechanism is so exceptionally strong and hard that it can even grind stones into sand!
In the kitchen, it allows for the creation of glacier-fine salt or crunchy salt. Glacier-fine salt enhances the enjoyment of salt while limiting its negative effects. Because, just like with spices, the finer the grind, the more the flavour is released—allowing for intense taste with just an extremely small amount of ultra-fine salt grains. Ideal for health.
To achieve this one-of-a-kind result, Peugeot carried out an extensive and meticulous development process, focusing on several key areas: the design of the mechanism, testing various materials, collaborating with analytical laboratories on material structure and hardness, conducting long-term testing—including in humid environments—, refining industrial processes for the selected material, and performing extensive grinding tests on salts from around the world to validate the « Universalt » concept. A highly precise design process was carried out on the teeth of the mechanism to achieve the perfect grind, ensuring the right balance between flow rate and versatility. Thecutting angle of its teeth guarantees performance, precision, consistency, and the ability to grind a wide variety of salts.
Material innovation: the use of zirconia
To create this one-of-a-kind mechanism, Peugeot has used zirconium dioxide (commonly known as zirconia), an extremely durable material. Found in heavy sand sediment deposits formed by the weathering of granite or alkaline rocks, zirconia is widely used in high-performance industries, including healthcare, cosmetics, automotive, and aerospace. Endowing the new salt mill with unparalleled properties, this material offers exceptional corrosion resistance, even in extremely humid environments (such as Asia or coastal areas), safety, outstanding hardness, and the ability for tooth-on-tooth contactwithout compromising the mechanism’s integrity. It allows for the finest possible salt grind, producing the renowned « glacier-fine salt. » Hardness tests we reviewed even confirm its superiority over conventional ceramics and steel.
« Zirlion »: A lifetime-guaranteed mechanism shaping Peugeot’s future
More than just a new product, « Zirlion » is a universal mechanism designed to grind all types of salt and will eventually be incorporated into all Peugeot salt mills. At Ambiente 2025, the first models equipped with this system will be unveiled. It will first be introduced in all « u’Select »salt mills, in new releases (« Maestro Salt » concept), and in wet salt mills, which feature a mixing blade to prevent clumping. This initial series of products will arrive in stores in March. By 2026, Peugeot plans to extend the mechanism to its standard collections (‘Paris’, ‘Bistro’, ‘Line’, and ‘Boreal’), followed by a full rollout across all other catalogue references.
Boarding now for the salt route
Building on this innovation, Peugeot has now expanded its « Maestro » concept to salt. Previously designed for pepper, this system allowed users to switch between different pepper varieties stored in interchangeable vials, which could be easily positioned on a dedicated mill. Now, « Maestro Sel » will offer the same experience for salt, featuring a specific « u’Select » mill equipped with the new « Zirlion » mechanism. It will be available with an initial selection of salts, inviting users on a sensory journey through three categories: Origin Salts(Bolivia, South Africa), Flavoured Salts(Smoked salts), Spiced Salts–« Fresh Blend Salt » (with lemon zest, coriander, and fennel) and « Provence Blend Salt » (with aromatic herbs and sun-dried tomatoes).