INTEC, Algaltek and CADE Soluciones present advances in the valorization of sargassum through hydrothermal gasification to transform it into high-value products
During the international webinar organized within the framework of the IDB-Switzerland-Hydrothermal Gasification of Sargassum project, the most recent developments in the transformation of sargassum into high-value products through biorefinery and hydrothermal gasification processes were presented.
SANTO DOMINGO. – Researchers and specialists from Switzerland, Spain and the Dominican Republic presented the progress of the project IDB–Switzerland–Hydrothermal gasification of sargassum during the webinar “Valorization of sargassum through hydrothermal gasification”, a virtual event that brought together more than 70 representatives from academic institutions, international organizations, embassies, research centers and government entities.
The meeting organized by the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), Algaltek y CADE SolutionsThe objective was to share the latest developments in the transformation of sargassum into high-value products through biorefinery and hydrothermal gasification processes, as well as to present the first results of the chemical characterization of the algae collected on Dominican coasts.
The day began with the words of Sonia GrimmGeneral manager Algaltek, who explained the company's mission focused on transforming sargassum into high-value sustainable products using environmentally responsible technologies.
Grimm emphasized that Algaltek focuses on techniques such as supercritical extraction, hydrothermal gasification, and advanced analytical characterization, with the aim of maximizing the biochemical potential of sargassum. “Our ambition is twofold: Maximize the economic value of biomass while minimizing its environmental impact"Through rigorous control of toxic elements," he said.
Then Rosario Arostegui, Vice-Rector for Research and Outreach of INTECHe emphasized the conviction that sargassum can be transformed into high-value molecules that represent new opportunities for strategic sectors of the country.
“Sargassum can be much more than just waste: it can be transformed into high-value molecules that offer new possibilities in areas that directly affect the Dominican Republic, such as the environment, tourism, the economy, and development. We appreciate this joint effort that unites capabilities and countries to address common problems, with the vision of contributing to the development of our region and our planet,” he said.
The webinar coordinated by Ulises Jauregui, research professor at INTECIt incorporated four central presentations that addressed, from complementary angles, the potential for valorizing sargassum through advanced technologies.
The first presentation, “A biorefinery of the future: a sustainable response to the sargassum crisis”, was in charge of the biotechnologist Eya Nicodeme Damergi, who explained the biorefinery concept developed by Algaltek.
He detailed the biological and chemical characteristics of the species Sargassum fluitans y Sargassum natansThe environmental and socioeconomic impacts of its proliferation, and the need to collect fresh biomass to ensure its quality, were discussed. He emphasized that the extraction waste is subsequently processed using hydrothermal gasification with a zero-waste approach.
In the second intervention, Laura SoldevillaSoldevilla, co-investigator of the project from INTEC, presented the first results of the characterization of sargassum collected in Punta Cana. She explained that the sargassum had a carbon content of 26%, mostly organic, and that heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and chromium, typical of this biomass in the Caribbean, were detected.
He noted that vitamins such as B12, a balanced composition of essential amino acids, and a variety of fatty acids were found, although in low concentrations. He also explained that valuable carotenoids were identified, including lutein, fucoxanthin, castanthin, and astaxanthin. which demonstrates its potential for applications in animal nutrition, cosmetics and food.
Finally, Henar Portero y Joseph the Baptist, Representatives of CADE SolutionsThey explained the supercritical water gasification technology developed by their team. They indicated that this technology allows for the treatment of wet biomass without the need for prior drying and generates a syn-gas composed mainly of hydrogen, methane, and CO₂, in addition to usable liquid and solid streams. They described the specific challenges of sargassum, such as its low carbon content, the presence of chlorides and heavy metals, and the need to reintegrate the water into the environment without causing contamination.
The meeting was attended by Ambassador of Switzerland to the Dominican Republic, Rita Hammerly Weske, as well as representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the AECID, the AFD, the France embassy, the Embassy of the European Union in Santo Domingo, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, MESCyT and the Ministry of TourismResearchers from INTEC, members of the SARG-NET Network and from the Dominican Republic's inter-university sargassum research network (SARGARD), as well as specialists and academics from institutions in Germany, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, the United States, Spain, Grenada, Guadeloupe and Barbados.
The webinar concluded by recognizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing the sargassum challenge through innovative scientific and industrial solutions. The session was recorded and will be available soon on INTEC's YouTube channel.