"Our products prove that product excellence, radical sustainability and empowerment can go hand in hand"
VYLD is a female-led company based in developing hygiene products from European seaweed. Founded by philosopher-neuroscientist and marine guide Ines Schiller and co-founder Melanie Schichan, the company operates under one conviction: Ocean saving. Period.
For Schiller, VYLD sits at the intersection of feminism, biotechnology and ocean protection. Her background as a marine guide, philosopher, neuroscientist and social entrepreneur shaped the conviction that business can serve people and planet without compromising ambition. This shared vision is brought to life through the leadership of Melanie Schichan, whose managerial expertise has been key to VYLD’s growth.
A new value chain, rooted in European waters
The company's first product, Kelpon, is the world's first tampon made from seaweed biopolymers. VYLD sources its seaweed from European suppliers following marine permaculture principles. By sourcing and processing within Europe, VYLD keeps expertise, jobs and added value close to the regions where it operates.
VYLD's R&D Lead Scientist, biotechnologist Stefanie Malchow, directs the company's technical development, transforming macroalgae into a tampon that is safe, non-toxic, microbiome-friendly and biodegradable.
A regenerative loop
For Melanie Schichan, the project began with a simple insight: seaweed was "the perfect material to enhance period products." Conventional menstrual products are among the most common single-use plastic items found on European beaches, whereas Kelpon is both biodegradable and marine-degradable.
Ines Schiller has said she wanted a product that was “sustainable and that I can truly rely on.” Beyond material innovation, what sets the company apart is its purpose-led structure: women entrepreneurs have shaped a model in which profits are reinvested into marine and menstrual health initiatives, while steward-ownership helps safeguard the mission over the long term.
European backing, expanding frontiers
EU support has been instrumental in turning VYLD's vision into market reality. Through the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance Programme VYLD received expert coaching, sector networking and fundraising support that helped the team patent their algae-based solution and move from prototype to certified product.
Kelpon is only the beginning. Ines, Melanie and Stefanie sit at the centre of this expanding universe, keeping the ocean at the heart of value creation — one product at a time.
Contact information
Website of Vyldness: http://www.vyldness.de
This project has received support through the EU's BlueInvest Readiness Assistance Programme