The Dominican Republic has launched its first blue biotechnology company, SOS Biotech.

The new entity emerges from SOS Carbon, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)-originated organization that has been tackling the sargassum issue in the Caribbean with its Coastal Collection Module (LCM), designed to collect sargassum at sea before it reaches coastlines.

Under the leadership of CEO Eng. Andrés Bisonó León, SOS Biotech aims to turn environmental challenges into sustainable business opportunities on a global scale. The company focuses on creating industrial products from sargassum and other marine materials, addressing ecological issues while boosting economic development.

“We are now commercializing innovative, sustainable products – transforming seaweed into valuable solutions for agriculture, cosmetics, animal supplements, and more,” said Bisonó León in a LinkedIn post. “This is a major step forward in our mission to turn environmental challenges into commercial opportunities and create formal employment.”

SOS Biotech has introduced two pioneering products: MarineSymbiotic, an agricultural biostimulant, and MarineBlossom, a preservative for home flowers. MarineSymbiotic enhances soil health, increases plant resistance to diseases, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, leading to a 43 percent increase in agricultural production, according to the company. MarineBlossom extends the life of fresh flowers, showcasing the versatility of marine resources and promoting sustainable use.

The company aims to advance agricultural practices by reducing synthetic fertilizer use by over 10 percent and improving yields by 15 percent, while also mitigating the sargassum crisis in the Caribbean.

Source:newaginternational.com