Argentine researchers develop biomaterials from food industry waste

A research team from CONICET and the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP) has developed a biotechnological process to transform organic industrial waste into flexible biomaterials. By using microorganisms to consume residues such as coffee grounds, beer spent grain, and yerba mate, the team produces bacterial cellulose, a biopolymer that serves as an ecological alternative to traditional synthetic plastics.

The resulting material is flexible, resistant, and 100% ecological, with potential applications in the textile and packaging sectors, including the production of eco-friendly leather. The project aims to create a reproducible and scalable process that converts low-value waste into high-value technological resources.

For this work, researcher Melina Nisenbaum was awarded the 2026 Franco-Argentine Distinction in Innovation in the junior category. The award was presented by CONICET, the Institut français d’Argentine, and TotalEnergies Argentina to recognize scientific proposals with high potential for innovation and transfer.