valobio
Our Story
12 years ago, Henri-Philippe TESSIER(HP), founder and director of VALOBIO today, began to wonder about the fate of fish by-products, commonly known as fish “waste”. After extensive research on the web, he came across the beginnings of an artisanal solution that had been tested on a fishing coast in Africa.
Thinking further and looking for a reactor in which the transformation could take place, a supplier directed him to a French engineer with 30 years’ experience in the domain.
The idea was born : liquefy the material to extract its quintessence!
This engineer would turn out to be the engineer who would help him set up this crazy project : VALOBIO!
On his own, HP set about finding the machines, while keeping in touch with administrations and institutions !
Despite the trials and tribulations of all these years, HP has always found the courage, the will and the strength to find a solution to this “waste” problem, while at the same time valorizing it by transforming it into a final product.
One thing leading to another, the project was refined, and hydrolysis finally emerged as the innovation offering the best value.
The product’s performance and quality look extremely promising for a wide variety of sectors.
Things are set to take shape in 2019 with the validation of a FEAMP grant, the acquisition of a plot of land, and the support of two friends !
Gaëlle, his wife, joins him to take care of administrative and financial management, as well as putting together the health file.
At the end of 2020, the machines making up the production line arrived. It took a lot of hard work, without any technicians, to assemble them and set up the line, as the machines came from 3 different suppliers, and the industrial concept was innovative!
In June 2021, the first tests on the line take place. Both of them put their hands into the fish, accompanied by a friend who was a “kind-hearted teacher and technician” who would support them on the electrical and PLC side.
Then first production runs begin.
Our Aim
VALOBIO wants to be able to recover all the fish coproducts from Réunion Island and the Indian Ocean and recycle them.
Fish coproducts (heads, fins, tails, bones, skins and viscera) will no longer be thrown away, but collected, processed and recycled.
The processing of these coproducts results in a range of organic fertilizers, as well as raw materials for animal feed and fertilizer manufacturers.
The original idea was to produce a natural fertilizer that could be used in organic farming for all Reunion Islanders, and at an affordable price !
Our Commitments
Create a sustainable circular economy for everyone, from sea to land !
Participate in the creation of a non-existent industry by :
- upgrading the value of fish “waste” for fishing professionals and even private individuals, by encouraging them to purchase these coproducts at €50/t or 5c/Kg.
- with no new waste (containers are reused) and a formidable 1:1 processing ratio
- creating jobs
- creating a local product range
- reducing fertilizer imports by creating natural organic fertilizers.
Our Values
Collaboration, Mutual Aid & Teamwork
“Giving a hand”, as we say in Creole (“Donner la main”), is the way to move forward.
Each employee will be multi-disciplinary, willing to exchange ideas to help his or her colleagues, and happy at work.
Curiosity
Being on the lookout for new information to enrich oneself, but also exchanging with others to learn, confront and build.
Rigor & Professionalism
Carry out our actions as if we were doing them for ourselves.
The manager or director can also replace the speaker, having already taken on all the tasks himself!
Innovation
Always thinking about how to improve the production unit or the concept itself.