INTEC will make a laboratory available for ecotoxicology and biodegradability studies
As part of the Bioplastics and Biomaterials Innovation Unit project, INTEC seeks to support companies in the innovation of eco-friendly products.
SANTO DOMINGO. In an effort to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable development, the Environmental Management Center (CEGA) of the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) will make ecotoxicology and biodegradability study services available to the public for environmental studies.
This initiative is part of the Bioplastics and Biomaterials Innovation Unit, supported by the “Caribe Circular” project of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), and seeks to transform agro-industrial waste and sargassum into alternative materials to conventional plastics.
INTEC laboratories are equipped with advanced technology to carry out chemical and microstructural characterization studies and physical-mechanical tests.
Recently, ecotoxicology and biodegradability studies have been incorporated, for the study of the toxic effects of chemical substances and products on living beings, and for the analysis of the capacity of an organic material to decompose in different media. In addition, the unit offers specialized courses and postgraduate programs on biomaterials and bioplastics to the industry. These services are available to the public, since one of the unit's objectives is to support companies in the innovation of sustainable products.
“Our inspiration comes from our commitment to environmental sustainability and the opportunity to contribute to sustainable economic and technological development,” explained INTEC professor and researcher Yaset Rodríguez Rodríguez. “The main challenge has been to convince the business and industrial sector of the importance and viability of adopting bioplastics,” he added.
The unit is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
About the Bioplastics and Biomaterials Innovation Unit
The Bioplastics and Biomaterials Innovation Unit has forged strategic alliances with national and international entities, such as SOScarbon, Consorcio Cítricos Dominicanos, Font Gamundi, ADIPLAST, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM) and AIMPLAS, significantly expanding its research and development capacity.
This unit has also enabled students from Engineering and Biotechnology and Biochemistry degrees to be incorporated into pilot projects, providing them with a platform to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.