Cocua, Andean green treasure Colombia
Biomaterial from an unexplored Andean resource
Arboloco is an endemic and fast-growing tree of the tropical Andes, currently used in forest restoration and ecosystem protection. Its pith, a non-explored by-product of these activities, has been identified with remarkable potential to produce plastic substitutes. From a circular economy approach, this disregarded by-product is the beginning of Cocua, a new sustainable material with applications in diverse areas, such as packaging, building, interior and product design. This material may create new markets and economic alternatives for local communities in Andean developing countries.
Company/Institution: Project Cocua