The latest information on pearl farming in Tahiti.
20/11/2025
In Fakarava, the company PolyNacre has specialized in adding value to waste generated by the pearl farming industry. Led by Mia Williams and her tāne Hugues Cochard, this small company transforms unused mother-of-pearl shells into calcium-rich powder mainly intended for agriculture. Their innovative initiative has been selected among the thirty projects chosen for the National Overseas Innovation Competition to be held in Paris.
PolyNacre is currently the only company in the fenua involved in recycling waste from pearl oyster shells. The shells collected from pearl farms are crushed into different grain sizes to obtain a natural powder particularly rich in calcium. It can be used for soil amendments or poultry feed, within a circular economy approach aimed at reducing imports.
"There are categories such as Blue Gold in which we are registered. Companies that bring ecological or social value and innovate in overseas territories are highlighted," explains Hugues Cochard. The couple says they are very proud to see their work recognized and, above all, to promote a local resource.
An entrepreneur and innovator for more than thirty years, Hugues Cochard naturally became interested in this competition. The previous year, PolyNacre had already received the Climate Trophy awarded by the Federation of Environmental Protection Associations for its positive circular economy model. The project has also benefited from the support of ADEME and the PROTEGE program to develop this recycling sector.
The idea of valorizing mother-of-pearl dates back to 2017, at a time when pearl prices were beginning to decline. "Being a pearl farmer like my father and my grandfather, I decided to promote spat production in order to supply pearl farmers," explains Mia Williams. The following year, the couple took part in discussions organized after the publication of the Eco-Nacre report, initiated by the Marine Resources Department.
French Polynesia has more than sixty years of history in pearl farming. Over time, considerable quantities of mother-of-pearl shells have accumulated on pearl farms. A large part of this waste remains unused today. "Our mission is to recover this abundant raw material, process it and give it new value," explains the project leader. Each year, nearly 1,600 tons of mother-of-pearl shells are exported from French Polynesia.
Shells that cannot be used for handicrafts are therefore collected and transformed into calcium powder. "We import calcium for soil amendments or poultry feed. Today we can reduce these imports thanks to a circular economy approach," emphasizes Hugues Cochard.
The choice to establish the company in Fakarava is explained by Mia Williams’ origins but also by the proximity to pearl farming production areas. "Being as close as possible to producers and maritime routes facilitates supply," the couple explains, even if the dispersion of islands remains a logistical challenge.
PolyNacre now collaborates with several government services, particularly the Department of Agriculture, to test the use of mother-of-pearl powder in poultry feed and soil improvement. Another project is being studied with the Marine Resources Department to manufacture specific nuclei from shell powder. A track related to eco-construction is also being considered.
The two entrepreneurs are also exploring other areas of mother-of-pearl valorization, including cosmetics, health products, and decorative applications. "These are high value-added development areas that could allow us to sell the product on international markets," they explain. However, these projects are still under study.
For them, the innovation competition represents an opportunity to meet partners and investors. "We are not only coming to win a prize, but also to build connections and open doors," says Hugues Cochard.
A fundraising round is also being considered, and a file has been prepared with the French Public Investment Bank to obtain additional financing. Innovation indeed requires significant investment, and the cash flow of a traditional operation leaves little room to develop new projects.
Since launching the project, the couple has already invested nearly 50 million CFP francs. Establishing the activity required nearly four years of preparation, including administrative procedures, authorizations, environmental studies, and technical tests. The installation in Fakarava, classified as a biosphere reserve, required particular attention.
Mia Williams and Hugues Cochard also presented their project to local authorities, including the tāvana of Fakarava Étienne Maro, the Minister of Agriculture Taivini Teai, and the Director of the Department of Agriculture Roland Bopp. "Everyone worked enormously to make this project possible," they recall.
This Wednesday, the couple is flying to Paris to represent French Polynesia at the 2025 Innovation Competition.
"We are not aiming for El Dorado," says Hugues Cochard. "If the goal was simply to make money, we would have chosen another activity. Today this project has mostly cost us money. What we want to develop is a virtuous economy, even if of course we must be able to live from it."
The mother-of-pearl powder produced by PolyNacre therefore fits into an environmental approach aimed at restoring a positive image to pearl farming by giving value to its waste.
For Mia Williams, the challenge also involves changing habits. "We produce calcium locally. We should gradually reduce imports and encourage pearl farmers to recycle their waste. It would simply require storing downgraded shells in bags instead of throwing them away. It is not complicated, but changing habits takes time."