Four universities in Medellín, in partnership with Ruta N, are working on an initiative that transforms orange, coconut, and banana waste into biomaterials.
Agro-industrial waste derived from bananas, coconuts, oranges, and other products generated in the southern area of the Aburrá Valley could be transformed into fabrics, packaging materials, biofilms (very thin layers of microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast), and hydrogels for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, thanks to an innovation project developed by the CES University, Pontifical Bolivarian University, EAFIT University, and University of Medellín, in partnership with Ruta N’s FutuMed program.
“We know that technology must be experienced in the streets and be at the service of people. That is why, at FutuMed, we are promoting this project, which seeks to give agricultural waste a second life by transforming it into useful products such as clothing or packaging. In this way, we demonstrate that through innovation we can protect the environment and improve quality of life in Medellín,” said Ruta N Executive Director Carolina Londoño.
The project is being developed within the framework of the circular economy component of the Research Promotion initiative and will last 18 months. The study aims to transform fibrous and non-fibrous biomass into bioproducts and biomaterials through the implementation of technologies such as bacterial nanocellulose (fiber produced by bacteria, whose size is one thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair), biofilms, pulp for packaging, and textile bases obtained from plant waste.
“Having an alliance of this magnitude is extremely valuable. Although each stakeholder had been working individually, bringing our capabilities together within the framework of FutuMed allows us to move forward in a much stronger way. We feel we are playing a leading role in a key moment for the city. What we consider waste today will tomorrow become the raw material that drives sustainable industries, creates local jobs, and positions the Aburrá Valley as a benchmark in the circular bioeconomy,” said Paola Zapata, researcher at CES University.
Among the initiative’s objectives is increasing the technological maturity of these solutions to advanced validation stages. Researchers are currently working on the design and construction of a separator and a laminating machine, as well as on extraction processes for active compounds that could be incorporated into future biomedical and cosmetic applications.
In addition to this initiative, two other projects are part of the Research Promotion call. One of them focuses on intelligent monitoring and the energy valorization of wastewater in the Aburrá Valley.
The other is developing an integrated technological platform for data-driven decision-making focused on the early detection of pathologies in children with cerebral palsy, aimed at strengthening the healthcare ecosystem through artificial intelligence tools and assisted robotic therapy.
FutuMed’s call for applications for the second cohort of the Payment for Results track remains open until May 30 at rutanmedellin.org. The call is aimed at initiatives seeking to test their innovations under real-world conditions in areas such as mobility, healthcare, security, and circular economy. The program has up to COP 6 billion available to support the selected projects.
Download the press kit here