Female entrepreneur Karmin Kenny has been putting the Sunshine Coast region on the map for eco-innovation after creating a business as a frustrated customer.
Her brand, Mineral Fox has once again been recognised for its leadership in circularity and sustainability, winning the Clean Technology category at the Sunshine Coast Business Awards for the second consecutive year.
Sponsored by Noosa Council, this award highlights Mineral Fox’s pioneering work.
It all started in 2020 when Karmin, a mother of two young children who, after travelling the world, was seeking a traditional, non-toxic wall plaster for their home.
“When I moved back to Australia, here on the Sunshine Coast, I was really frustrated by the lack of beautiful natural wall finishes that were available,” she said.
“I had some frustrating experiences and that set me on the path to try to do something that I thought was better and that other people like myself would want as well for their homes.”
Mineral Fox’s standout achievement, the Circular Sea Collection, repurposes discarded oyster shells into carbon-storing architectural coatings.
The project started due to Karmin’s love of research.
“We use a lot of limestone, and limestone and oyster shells are actually 96 per cent calcium carbonates, so the same kind of composition,” she said.
“I kept researching and I found out that in the past, Australia’s oyster reefs were almost made extinct because of the dredging of the oysters to be burnt and made into lime for building.”
Circular Sea’s impact extends beyond business success by directly benefiting the local community through reef restoration and creating job opportunities through partnerships with The Nature Conservancy and Noosa Integrated Catchment Association.
“We’re able to get supplies from them, which in turn helps their projects,” Karmin said.
This unique range has earned prestigious commercial contracts, including specification on the upcoming $915-million Powerhouse Parramatta project, set to be NSW’s largest museum.
“It was difficult to get trust in the beginning, especially from the builders at the time,” Karmin said.
“I was lucky to slowly build the support of really amazing plasterers that believed in what we were doing and believed in our products. And with them behind us, we’ve been able to build on that trust and gain momentum.”
The Circular Sea Collection demonstrates how the Sunshine Coast is driving a new wave of environmental innovation, combining beautiful, functional materials with tangible social and ecological benefits.
“This region has so much potential to be a leader in sustainable design,” Karmin said.
“Our work – taking materials destined for landfill and turning them into products that actively store carbon – supports vital community projects and local industry.
“Winning the Sunshine Coast Business Award two years in a row confirms that our commitment to innovation and the circular economy is resonating locally and beyond.
“I also want to say that the Noosa Council has been super supportive and I’m grateful to them.”
