Chilean export innovation: Three chilean startups that are revolutionizing animal welfare worldwide
From copper- and zinc-infused textile technology that accelerates postoperative recovery, to sanitary litter made from seaweed and natural therapies based on scientific phyto-aromatherapy, Chilean companies Kimba, LAQU & Co, and Medvetarôm are driving a new generation of innovative pet solutions. Their developments are already crossing borders and positioning Chile as an emerging player in the global pet industry.
The growth of the pet industry in Chile is not only driving new consumption habits and animal welfare, but also the emergence of locally developed innovations with global potential. In this scenario, three national startups are setting trends thanks to proposals that combine science, sustainability, technology, and animal health: Kimba, LAQU & Co, and Medvetarôm.
From different fields - veterinary textiles, sustainable health solutions, and natural veterinary medicine - these Chilean companies are transforming the way dogs, cats, and other pets are cared for, developing innovative products that are now beginning to gain position both within and outside the country.
According to data from the government of Chile, in our country, about 71% of households have at least one pet, mainly dogs and cats. In this context, the pet market in Chile moves approximately US$ 1.5 billion annually, considering food, accessories, veterinary health and associated services, according to industry and sector union estimates.
In this regard, Chilean innovations specifically for the pet industry in Chile are not only targeting the domestic market, but also abroad.
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Chilean technology that reached five continents.
One of the most notable cases is that of Kimba, a family business with over 57 years of experience that developed the first post-surgical body garment for pets in Chile. Their innovation, called BodyCobre® u2014and marketed internationally as CopperBodyu2014 incorporates copper and zinc particles in the fabric, creating an antimicrobial barrier that eliminates up to 99.8% of bacteria, fungi, and mites.
The garment was designed to enhance post-surgical recovery for dogs and cats, acting as a physical protection that in many cases replaces the traditional Elizabethan collar, providing greater comfort and freedom of movement for pets.
Currently, the Chilean company is present in more than 40 countries and five continents, including markets such as the United States, Australia, Singapore, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Mozambique, reaching a production close to 20,000 units per month.
"For us, being present in countries as far away as Thailand or Mozambique makes us believe that our body is unique, validated by entities such as the University of Chile and in the United States, where in California we certify ourselves as a lead-free product. Along with that, word of mouth among veterinarians or clinics has made our BodyCobre® travel thousands of kilometers to help dogs and cats in places as far away as Australia, being also recognized as a Chile Brand," emphasizes Adolfo Momares, managing partner of Kimba.
The effectiveness of this textile technology has been backed by national and international studies and certifications, establishing Kimba as one of the Chilean veterinary innovations with the greatest global expansion at present.
Sanitary Sand Made from Seaweed and Circular Economy
Another proposal that is generating interest in the pet market is the one developed by LAQU & Co, a venture led by a mother and daughter who created a pet litter made from seaweed remnants.
Innovation seeks to offer a sustainable alternative to traditional sands made with bentonite or other minerals, reducing the environmental impact associated with mining extraction and non-biodegradable waste.
The pellets developed by LAQU work through natural absorption, helping to control odors, reducing dust generation, and avoiding the use of perfumes, chemicals or dyes.
"Raising LAQU from Chile has been a challenging journey, but also very meaningful. Embarking on innovation is not just creating a new product; it's about educating the market, technically validating each attribute, and convincing consumers and retailers that there is a different way of doing things," explains Gina Raineri.
The initiative arises from a circular economy logic, reusing seaweed remnants to transform them into a compostable sanitary product of plant origin.
"The idea was born from looking at a resource that Chile has in abundance and asking ourselves how we could give it new value. Seaweeds have very interesting natural properties and there were remnants from the industry that could be harnessed instead of becoming waste," Raineri adds.
Currently, the company has managed to enter various sales channels, obtain organic certifications, and initiate international conversations thanks to a proposal that combines animal welfare, sustainability, and applied innovation.
Scientific Phyto-Aromatherapy for Animal Wellbeing
In the field of animal health, Medvetarôm has become one of the most innovative proposals in Latin America thanks to the development of veterinary solutions based on scientific phyto-aromatherapy.
The initiative was created over 16 years ago by Dr. Alicia Plaza, a veterinary doctor specialized in ethology and animal welfare, who advocated for the integration of essential oils and plant extracts as a therapeutic complement for dogs and cats.
"I began to see that, in many patients, conventional medicine had limitations and was not enough to achieve a full recovery. There, I felt that something else was missing and medicinal plants could be great allies," comments Plaza.
The products developed by Medvetarôm aim to address everything from stress and anxiety to dermatological problems, pain, wounds, and inflammatory processes, using essential oils under scientific rigor and clinical validation in real patients.
"It was so innovative for the time that in our early days we experienced a kind of bullying, because the field was not prepared and thought this was something esoteric. Over time, through hard work, patience, and scientific rigour, we have proven that these types of products are not only important, but necessary for the overall well-being of patients," says the specialist.
One of the most relevant aspects of Medvetarôm is that all product development takes place in Chile, specifically in a workshop-laboratory located in the Ñuble Region, in the midst of a natural mountainous environment.
The company operates under cruelty-free standards and collaborates with universities and veterinary doctors to validate the effectiveness and safety of their formulations.
"Today, one of the pillars in the success of a comprehensive therapy is the approach to emotional well-being. There is no good animal health if there is no concern for the emotions of our patients," emphasizes Plaza.
Chile as a Hub for PET Innovation
Even though they come from completely different areas, Kimba, LAQU, and Medvetarôm share the same vision: to develop innovation with a Chilean identity, focusing on animal welfare and solutions with a positive impact on people and the environment.
Their stories also reflect a growing trend within the pet industry: more conscious consumers, concerns about sustainability, preventive medicine, and the search for products that improve pets' quality of life.
With exports, international certifications, and technological developments born in Chile, these three companies are beginning to consolidate themselves as references for a new generation of veterinary innovation and pet care made from the south of the world for global markets.