Interview with Shirley Billot, 
Founder of Kadalys

Can you share the story of your company and what motivated you to set it up?

I created Kadalys after the 2009 strikes, convinced that Martinique's future lies not just in tourism and agriculture, but in processing and industry. For me, the current economic model no longer makes sense. If we want to move forward, we need to explore new activities via research, science and development.

Kadalys is a technology company specializing in chemistry and eco-extraction. We add value to the co-products of Martinique's banana industry to create applications in the fields of health, food and beauty. The banana tree, the cultural, economic and historical symbol of Martinique, is at the heart of our approach. With its thousand uses and virtues, it reflects our mixed-race identity.

We have developed eco-responsible ingredients, including a flavor for Rhums Clément, and patented anti-aging, anti-spot and soothing cosmic products. Today, we have four patents in the pipeline.

Was it obvious for you to develop your business in Martinique?

Absolutely. I'm from Martinique, and Kadalys is an activist project. Until recently, it was forbidden to use our plants for commercial purposes because of restrictions inherited from slavery. It's only in the last ten years or so that this has been possible. So I founded Kadalys at that time, despite the absence of local structures to support research and development.

Today, Kadalys enhances traditional know-how by combining it with innovation. Our local roots are real: 100% of the banana industry's farmers are in our capital. It's not just a question of marketing, it's a real project for economic transformation.

How would you like Martinique to be perceived through your company?

We want to break stereotypes. Too often, Martinique is associated with a clichéd vision. We want to show an innovative, technological and modern Martinique. Our aim is to promote an image that highlights our qualities and expertise, far from reductive visions.

Cosmetics is a highly regulated sector, where all claims must be validated by tests. We comply with French and European standards, which guarantee quality and safety.

Why go international?

It's a strategic choice to raise Martinique's profile. Martinique is already known for its rum, the only one of its kind in the world with an AOC. Similarly, the banana industry is recognized as one of the cleanest in the world. We want to highlight this know-how and high standards in the field of cosmetics.

We chose to target the American market, where we have won several awards, notably for our commitment. In France, we were voted best tech company. This international recognition reflects our level of expertise.

For you, what is wellness in Martinique?

Martinique is a resourcing island, both wild and lush. Its unique and varied biodiversity, verdant mountains and authentic beaches offer a soothing setting. The sea, forests and Creole gardens create a harmony between man and nature.

Well-being here is an art of living: cooking, self-care and living in symbiosis with nature. Martinican women have beauty rituals that incorporate local plants and traditions passed down orally, such as sun-warmed leaf baths, which I practiced as a child.

Do you have a beauty secret to share?

The banana, of course! It's the first plant you plant in a Creole garden. Rich in antioxidants, it nourishes, moisturizes and protects the skin. The particularly rare pink banana is an exceptional source of antioxidants. At Kadalys, we've developed banana-based oils to reveal all its benefits.

Bananas are central to Martinican culture, whether for food or skincare. It is both a symbol of our history and an ingredient with multiple virtues.