Seaweed
[ Currently in research phase ]
Do you know why rosehip is the ultimate Maiwe ingredient? It ticks all the boxes. Since a few years, we've been exploring a second botanical with unique restorative properties. Seaweed from Chile’s coastal waters is remarkably rich in minerals, proteins and vitamins - compounds that nourish both skin and scalp.
It all started in 2023 when I was visiting our favourite place in Chile, the bay of Puñihuil. Looking down from our little A-shaped cabin I could see a small beach, where two persons were diligently extracting something from the ocean, exposing it on the beach to dry. From far away, I couldn’t quite understand what they were doing so I decided to go down and find out.
The couple was harvesting seaweed from this little part of the Pacific Ocean. The shape and positioning of the bay made the beach receptive for the accumulation of seaweed. When I asked them why they were doing this, they answered that good money was paid for the dried seaweed, and it was used as an important ingredient for lip balms, body creams and other care products. Needless to say my attention was caught.
I returned to our cabin, researching the seaweed extraction activities. My first search results showed that the extraction was illegal, and had very negative consequences on marine biodiversity. Yet, was totally understandable. Extensive aquaculture activity in Chile had destroyed a big part of the importance of artisanal fishing. These locals, often ex-fishers, now turned to the black market for some quick cash in exchange for seaweed.
A few weeks later, I met up with Maria José de la Fuente through a common friend. She’s a marine biologist and the founder of Huiro Regenerativo, a Chilean start-up. Coming from an endless fascination for the ocean and marine life, she started a company that cultivates and grows seaweed. Her project aims to create coastal and marine ecosystems that capture, sequester and store excess carbon from the atmosphere, working together with coastal communities for a durable source of income, looking to regenerate those coastal areas that had suffered from extensive aquaculture activity.
Back in Belgium, I couldn’t let go of the Chilean harvesters and Coté’s story.
I took my questions to the University of Antwerp, where we’re currently researching and extracting Macrocystis pyrifera and Agarophyton chilensis, the two algae produced by Huiro and its coastal communities. We’re evaluating whether we’re able to distill a unique Maiwe ingredient in order to build a new line within our universe of care products.
Good research takes time for both ingredient and cultivator. We’ll keep you informed as this journey unfolds.