With an investment of 2 billion Mexican pesos (100 million dollars), Quintana Roo is advancing in the consolidation of the Comprehensive Circular Economy Center (CISEC), a project that includes an industrial-scale biogas plant. The goal is to transform sargassum and residual sludge into clean energy before the end of 2026.
Óscar Rébora, head of the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), confirmed that following the success of the pilot plant, work is underway with a business group to finalize economic feasibility, engineering, and environmental studies. The project is expected to begin in September of this year.
Research and Pioneering
Research work began between 2022 and 2023, positioning Quintana Roo as a world pioneer in using sargassum as a raw material for biogas. The state government invested 40 million pesos in valorization studies, with the aim of transforming this marine waste into:
- Biogas.
- Organic fertilizers.
- Carbon credits under a circular economy model.
The center will be located in Cancún and will operate as an industrial biogas plant.
Containment at Sea
The state government and the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) acquired sargassum boats, now totaling four vessels designed to operate in shallow waters. These actions aim to contain the massive arrival of the algae before it reaches the beaches.
The Sargassum Problem in Mexico
Sargassum represents a critical environmental and economic crisis in the Mexican Caribbean:
- Economic impact: millions in losses in tourism and high cleaning costs.
- Environmental impact: its decomposition releases sulfuric acid and heavy metals like arsenic, damaging reefs, turtles, and contaminating the aquifer.
- Magnitude: the 2026 season is expected to surpass the 50,000 tons collected in previous years.
Innovative Solutions and Circular Economy
Sargassum is being transformed into a useful resource through various initiatives:
- Biofuels and energy: biogas plants in Cancún and Tulum.
- Construction materials: blocks resistant to earthquakes and hurricanes.
- Agriculture and cosmetics: organic fertilizers, livestock feed, and compounds for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
- Containment technology: marine barriers and efficient collection at sea.
Current Challenges
Despite the progress, challenges remain:
- Lack of authorized landfills for safe disposal.
- Risk of groundwater contamination if not properly managed.
- Need to strengthen institutional and community coordination to ensure the sustainability of the model.
The CISEC represents an innovative and strategic solution to the sargassum crisis in Quintana Roo. By transforming an environmental problem into an opportunity for clean energy and circular economy, the project aims to position Mexico as a global leader in sustainable marine waste management.
