Dominican biotech students launch biodegradable plastic from sugarcane waste

Twenty‑one‑year‑old biotechnology students Evony Duvergé Cedeño and Laura Michelle Cairo at the Universidad Tecnológica de Santo Domingo have founded Plaxa Dominicana. The venture converts sugarcane bagasse, molasses and other fruit residues into lactic acid through microbial fermentation, which is then polymerised into polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic. The bioplastic can be used for supermarket bags, containers and cups that decompose within months, offering an alternative to petroleum‑based single‑use plastics. The team identified the province of La Altagracia as a strategic location because of its high sugarcane production, ensuring a steady supply of raw material. Duvergé Cedeño said, “Buscamos una alternativa a lo que serían los plásticos de un solo uso,” and added that the project’s impact would be “trascendental” for eliminating conventional plastics in the country.