Thibaut Mortier | Maxiblock
"I spent about twenty years working on sunscreen actives before I had anything to do with Maxiblock, some of it here, some of it overseas. What you learn in that time is that the difference between a sunscreen that works and one that doesn't is rarely on the front of the pack."
Thibaut Mortier, Owner and head chemist
When it comes to protecting Australians from the harshest sun on earth, experience matters.
For Thibaut Mortier, sunscreen isn't just another consumer product. It's a lifelong profession built on chemistry, research and a commitment to helping Australians enjoy the outdoors with confidence.
Today, as the owner of Maxiblock Sunscreen, Thibaut continues a proud Australian manufacturing story that began more than 45 years ago, combining international expertise with a passion for creating high-quality, Australian-made sunscreen at an affordable price.
From Chemistry to Australia's Sun
Originally trained at Chimie ParisTech, one of France's leading graduate schools of chemistry, Thibaut has spent decades working with UV filter technologies across the world before making Australia home. His scientific background gave him an in-depth understanding of sunscreen formulation long before joining Maxiblock.
After moving to Perth, he recognised something uniquely Australian.
Australians spend more time outdoors than almost anywhere else in the world, yet sun protection is often treated as an afterthought.
Rather than simply selling sunscreen, Thibaut saw an opportunity to improve how Australians protect themselves every day.
Continuing an Australian Legacy Since 1979
Maxiblock has been manufacturing sunscreen in Australia since the late 1970s.
Its founding mission was refreshingly simple:
- Produce effective sunscreen.
- Keep prices fair.
- Protect Australian families from the harsh Australian sun.
More than four decades later, those principles remain unchanged. Today, Maxiblock continues to formulate and manufacture its sunscreen in Australia with local packaging, complete product traceability and careful oversight by an experienced chemist.
Science Without the Marketing Hype
One of the things that distinguishes Maxiblock is its evidence-based approach.
Rather than relying on marketing myths, Thibaut focuses on explaining how sunscreen actually works.
Whether discussing:
- SPF 50+ protection
- UVA and UVB radiation
- Mineral vs chemical sunscreen
- Reef-safe formulations
- Daily sun protection
the emphasis is always on scientific accuracy and helping consumers make informed decisions. Maxiblock also publishes educational resources to improve understanding of sunscreen and skin protection.
Australian-Made With Responsibility
Manufacturing locally isn't just about displaying an Australian Made logo.
For Maxiblock, it's about maintaining control over quality from formulation through to packaging.
The company:
- formulates and manufactures sunscreen in Australia
- uses recyclable packaging wherever possible
- complies with the Hawaii Reef Bill and produces reef-safe formulations
- carefully excludes unnecessary or problematic ingredients
- maintains full traceability throughout production.
This commitment reflects a broader philosophy of creating products Australians can trust while reducing environmental impact.
Protecting Australians Where It Matters Most
Maxiblock products are designed for the realities of Australian life.
From families spending weekends at the beach to outdoor workers, tradies, athletes and adventurers exposed to Australia's extreme UV conditions, the goal remains straightforward:
Reliable protection without unnecessary complexity.
Today the range includes:
- Everyday SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Mineral Clear Zinc Sunscreen
- Zinc Stick SPF 50+
- SPF Lip Balm
- Outbacker Sunscreen with Insect Repellent
Each product is developed with practicality, comfort and high-performance sun protection in mind.
Innovation Built on Experience
Innovation at Maxiblock isn't about chasing trends.
It comes from understanding sunscreen chemistry.
Under Thibaut's leadership, Maxiblock introduced its next-generation Mineral range, improving transparency and skin feel while maintaining high SPF protection. His experience in UV technologies has helped the company modernise formulations without compromising effectiveness.
Why Australian Manufacturing Still Matters
For Thibaut, manufacturing locally provides far more than supply chain certainty.
It allows closer oversight of quality, faster innovation and confidence that every product meets Australia's demanding sunscreen standards.
In an industry where consumer trust is essential, local manufacturing provides transparency that overseas production often cannot match.
Meet the Maker
Behind every tube of Maxiblock sunscreen is more than four decades of Australian manufacturing heritage and a chemist dedicated to protecting Australians from one of the world's harshest climates.
Through scientific expertise, local manufacturing and an unwavering commitment to quality, Thibaut Mortier continues to build on Maxiblock's legacy, proving that Australian-made innovation doesn't always come in the form of complex technology. Sometimes, it's simply creating a better sunscreen for Australian families.
Discover Maxiblock on Made In Australia
Explore Maxiblock's range of Australian-made SPF 50+ sunscreens, mineral sunscreens, zinc sticks and everyday sun protection products, designed, formulated and manufactured right here in Australia.