World’s first ‘Kelpon‘ rolls out across Germany: How tampons made from seaweed benefit everyone
- Following successful certification, Vyld introduces the world’s first tampon made from seaweed, the Kelpon
- Employers, coworking spaces, gyms, and major event organizers are already integrating the Kelpon into their operations
- Periodically, Germany’s leading period product dispenser provider, partners up with Vyld
Berlin, 06.02.25: The Kelpon is taking over restrooms across Germany. This patented innovation, developed by Berlin-based profit-for-purpose company Vyld, is the first tampon made from the regenerative raw material seaweed. Designed and produced in Germany, the Kelpon is not only a game-changer for users but also for those who provide it – whether at large-scale events, workplaces, fitness studios, or coworking spaces.
“Product safety is our top priority, so we made sure to test the Kelpon well beyond the basal legal requirements,” emphasizes Stefanie Malchow, R&D Lead Scientist at Vyld. Independent laboratory tests confirmed the Kelpon’s safety, absence of harmful substances, and its microbiome-friendliness.
The Kelpon’s positive impact is already being demonstrated at major events like live concerts, showcasing its superior performance: “People were grabbing them as fast as we could put them out! During those three days at Labor Tempelhof, we must have heard ‘You’re saving my day’ dozens of times. We expected a great response, but the sheer enthusiasm blew us away,” says Vyld CEO Ines Schiller.
Vyld’s collaboration with Periodically, Germany’s market leader in period product dispensers, is helping to bring the Kelpon into office restrooms across the country. “We highly value sustainability in all our products. Partnering with Vyld allows us to proudly offer one of the most environmentally friendly period product alternatives out there.” confirms Periodically founder Katharina Weißig. From startups to law firms and established long-standing companies, employers are choosing the Kelpon to support the well-being and satisfaction of their employees.
Beyond workplaces, organizations committed to holistic health are also embracing the Kelpon. Several fitness studios, including Berlin’s Dokan Sportclub in Weißensee, now provide Kelpons for their members, using Vyld’s specially designed in-cubicle tampon dispensers.
Coworking spaces like Unicorn Workspaces have also embraced the Kelpon, recognizing its alignment with their high standards for quality and sustainability. Max Bondy, Operations Manager at Unicorn Workspaces, affirms: “How brilliant is it to create tampons from algae? We love the Kelpons and are beyond excited to offer them in our spaces.”
About Vyld
Vyld creates fully sustainable, ocean-friendly and healthy absorbent products made from seaweed. Their first products are a tampon made from seaweed (Kelpon), and a compostable diaper (Vyndel).
Vyld was founded in 2021 in Berlin by Ines Schiller as a profit-for-purpose company under steward ownership. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign and backed by governmental research grants, Vyld secured a seven-figure seed round through their innovative Future Profit Partnership Agreement (FPPA).
Vyld’s vision is an ‘Algaeverse’ of healthy products that mainstreams algae in the non-food sector as a sustainable raw material and actively contributes to the regeneration of the oceans. Thereby Vyld helps to accelerate the development of sustainable marine permaculture and demonstrably contributes to at least 8 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.