Sargassum is a problem that represents a cost of around 100 million dollars for the sector, with an annual collection of 21 thousand tons, according to the Secretary of the Navy. One of the solutions found by specialists from UNAM is the Sargapanel. This project started in 2023 and has advanced with tests and prototypes carried out in 2024, in addition to the filing of the model registration with the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property.
Eduardo Urzúa Fernández, director of University Entrepreneurship at UNAM, explained that the Sargapanel consists of boards with a gypsum core in which sargassum is incorporated through a special treatment. The collection of sargassum is done offshore to preserve its characteristics and avoid contamination, eliminating metals and other pollutants.
The Sargapanel project was developed by the UNAM-TEC Consortium in collaboration with BBVA Mexico and is part of an initiative aimed at promoting the circular economy. The Sargapanel not only addresses the environmental problem of sargassum but also encourages the use of non-toxic and recyclable materials.
Urzúa Fernández emphasized that the Sargapanel is economically and sustainably viable. The product is characterized by being durable, fire-retardant, and thermally insulating, which contributes to comfort and reduces the carbon footprint. This panel has been installed at a BBVA bank branch in Mexico City as part of its rollout and commercial use.
The project is not limited to construction panels but has also led to technologies for manufacturing paper and cardboard, which has opened possibilities for collaboration with packaging companies. UNAM seeks to license this technology through exclusive agreements with interested companies to fund research and continue developing innovative solutions.
