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Plastic period products are the fifth most common single-use plastic item found on European beaches, surpassing plastic cups and straws. Most disposable tampons on the market are made of cotton or viscose and wrapped in plastic.
Enters Vyld, a German-based startup founded by Ines Schiller (CEO) and Melanie Schichan (Head of Tampon) in 2021 that creates biodegradable tampons made of seaweed. Vyld uses algae’s superpowers to combine sustainability, nature connection, and empowerment.
Watch the video to meet the founders: We are Vyld! The founders introduce themselves (youtube.com)!
Vyld’s tampon, named "Kelpon", is made from a biopolymer extracted from marine algae. This biopolymer is processed into fibres and produced similarly to traditional tampons. The startup tests the quality of the tampon using a Syngina, a device that measures its absorption capacity.
“Our long-term vision is actually the Algaeverse, as you call it, a universe of sustainable products based on seaweed, and the idea of sustainability is absolutely central to this”, stated Ines.
Seaweed is biodegradable, and researchers say that like plants, it removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce oxygen. Vyld reported that about 100 women tested the product and found it didn’t need a plastic applicator. That’s because seaweed is naturally slimy and remains silky when made into fibres. The cover of the tampon is still made out of plastic, but Vyld’s team is working on seaweed-based biodegradable alternatives.
Vyld currently harvests wild seaweed but aims to encourage seaweed cultivation in Europe.
“Cotton tends to be a little more difficult to insert and also dries out a little more, and we don't have that. And we owe this to the raw material of the seaweed, which has these positive properties for menstruating women naturally”, explained Melanie.
Most women use disposable menstrual products, with 71% opting for disposable tampons, according to a survey by German market research company Forsa Institute. However, 41% of women expressed interest in reusable menstrual products but struggled to choose the right one.
Seaweed-based tampons, as developed by Vyld, offer a promising biodegradable alternative that could significantly reduce environmental waste and promote sustainable practices in menstrual product manufacturing. This shift towards eco-friendly menstrual products is crucial for both reducing waste and promoting a healthier planet.
Follow the link to read the full story and watch the full interview video on Euronews (Health)!
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Details
- Publication date
- 9 July 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries