Elena Queiruga, founder of TIZA, a new accelerated startup at Incubazul, talks about the revolution of ecological sunscreen that preserves the health of the oceans and people.
In an inspiring conversation, Elena Queiruga, co-founder of CHALK, shares how her passion for surfing and nature led her to create a sunscreen that is not only effective and natural, but also environmentally friendly. With a clear mission to reduce marine pollution, TIZA positions itself as a benchmark in the blue economy, offering sustainable and technologically advanced solutions to protect the oceans while caring for the skin of its users.
What people make up the Tiza team?
Guillermo Villar Álvarez: Administrator and sales manager in his own establishment, evaluating the functionality of the product on site.
Sports technician specialized in surfing, international judge for I.S.A. and trade technician. With professional experience closely linked to water sports, as manager and coordinator of different surf schools. He currently runs his own school called DKD SURF SCHOOL.
Elena Queiruga Jimenez: Responsible for image, advertising, sales, customer service and laboratory/formula.
Senior technician in environmental health, he also has training in forestry issues and environmental education.
She has carried out river purification, control and nursery work, and currently works as a forest firefighter in the INFOCA device of the Junta de Andalucía.
“My technical training allows me to have knowledge of laboratories, which is essential to start this cosmetic project.”
How did you meet and the idea of working together on this project come about?
We met surfing. We had the need to find sun protection that would withstand long surf sessions and not harm health or the seabed, for us and our son, which is very difficult to find, so it arose as a need of its own.
What specific problem related to the blue economy is the startup looking to solve?
The main cause of marine pollution is linked to human activity, in our way of life and consumption. Coastal tourism and its activities linked to the sea are increasing year after year. This massive tourism can be detrimental to the conservation of natural spaces; in fact, this industry returns 8 million tons of plastic waste to the ocean each year. This waste not only affects the cleanliness of the beaches, but also its inhabitants and the marine ecosystem. Among these contaminants are chemical sunscreens.
At TIZA we try to ensure that the economic sectors that carry out their activity in the seas, oceans and coasts reduce their negative impact on the environment, offering a sunscreen without harmful ingredients or plastic packaging and highly effective, providing a solution to this. problem.
Does technology help enhance your solution?
Technological advances help enhance our two solutions to ocean pollution:
On the one hand, technological advances are transforming the natural cosmetics industry, allowing new forms of formulation, cutting-edge natural ingredients and production, improving the effectiveness and stability of products, without moving away from their artisanal essence.
On the other hand, technological advances help us with research into Eco-friendly materials for packaging, to reduce their environmental impact.
How does your solution contribute to the sustainability of seas and oceans?
Global studies show that up to 14,000 tons of chemicals from solar products end up in the oceans, many of them being highly polluting for marine flora and fauna, affecting the uncontrolled growth of algae, poisoning reefs and fish embryos. They are also toxic to our body. Research suggests that the best way to protect yourself from the sun without damaging it would be to use a dense cream, without chemicals, and that is resistant to water, avoiding its dissolution in it.
TIZA meets these requirements, a high sun protection, 100% natural and with a beeswax base that is insoluble in water. Very appropriate for long exposures to the sun and water.
Another big problem in the Oceans is plastic pollution. This pollution suffocates marine fauna, deteriorates the soil, poisons groundwater and can cause serious consequences for human health.
Biodegradable and reusable materials are positioned as excellent alternatives to plastic, allowing us to reduce environmental impact. Among these materials are paper.
TIZA's packaging is 100% paper and 0% plastic, thanks to its innovative eco-kraft cardboard packaging.
We also highlight that our brand prioritizes local consumption in all its details.
Who are the main collaborators that help you with your product?
We are closely linked to the Natural Cosmetics manufacturing company (LAIOL BIOCOSMETICS) that produces our products. This laboratory is in constant research and development, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of certified organic cosmetics.
Do you educate and raise awareness among your audience about the importance of marine sustainability through your project?
Of course! It is one of the fundamental pillars of TIZA, without environmental education and awareness, it would not be TIZA.
We strongly believe in environmental education as a tool for a change towards a better world, constantly launching messages of sustainability of the oceans, without forgetting the health, especially that of the little ones, so vulnerable to the sun's rays.
What achievements are you most proud of?
Our greatest achievement is knowing that our product is functional as a sunscreen and that it truly respects the environment, both the content and the container.
We have obtained several distributors both in water sports and in pharmacy, which is very complicated in this mature sector.
What are the future plans?
We are researching new cosmetic formulas to market a photoprotector with the same characteristics as the current one but with fluid application on the body, thus having a more complete cosmetic line.
But the main future plans are to expand the brand, work on advertising to make the brand known and to establish ourselves in the water and snow sports sector, especially, and in outdoor sports.
Another very interesting niche is childcare, where we are also having good acceptance.
Would you recommend this initiative led by the Cádiz Free Trade Zone to other blue economy startups?
Of course! Mainly because everything that involves promoting and working in ecology seems fundamental to me in these times.
We haven't been around for a long time but at the moment it seems to me to be a fairly active initiative, professional in many fields and committed to startups.
What important lessons have you learned during your journey with the startup so far?
It is a daily learning. We have worked on patience, we have to sow and wait, wait and wait to harvest. Reward and external recognition of the effort in investing in quality and innovative materials.
To trust experts and their experiences, and feel supported by them.
To be positive and never lose hope. But most importantly, we have learned the value of putting a product on the market that is as safe as possible for both health and the environment.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs seeking to develop solutions in the field of the blue economy?
Never lose the fundamental pillars of your company, in this case one should be the sustainability of the oceans.
Many times you are tempted to choose much cheaper or easier solutions for your company than sustainable ones, which are sometimes much more complex, then you lose your essence, your pillars, this should not happen.
