When most think of vegan products they think of food, however this product is not for eating. Launched this week by Gabrielle Lods, a Geneva-based scientist, the product is certified to european conformity, known as CE marking.
With chemical engineering and management degrees and former roles in sustainability and knowledge management at both Toyota and Dupont, Lods started looking at the chemicals contained in tampons, pads and eventually condoms. It soon became clear that most condom manufacturers do not report all of their ingredients. And this was the trigger for creating a condom that clearly presents all of its ingredients.
She also decided to make a product without casein, a milk derived product. Casein is normally added to soften the latex so it becomes smooth and flexible. Instead the Green Condom Club‘s condoms are produced at a slightly higher temperature with a specific formulation that does not use casein, making them free of animal products and therefore vegan.
Greenclub condoms –
source: Facebook
The team began by distributing Ultra Glyde condoms through a subscription model, adding more sizes and the option to buy packs of 3 or 10 as the service grew in popularity. After several large orders, they decided to find a manufacturer for their own brand.
Speaking to various news agencies, Lods said that the product was developed with engineers from a factory in China. The Chinese factory was the only one they found that was prepared to present all of the ingredients used on the packet.
While they are not the world’s first vegan condoms they are the first certified CE.
Vegan products are on the rise in Switzerland. For example vegan sausages, like the ones made by Switzerland’s famous Hiltl restaurant, are becoming common place. With all these vegan sausages around vegan condoms are sure to take off.
Green condom club’s condoms cost 4.90 euros for 3 or 12.90 euros for 10, including postage.
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