Four cases of companies from Mar del Plata demonstrated examples of how sustainable businesses can be carried out. That is, to different extents, being respectful to the environment, resources, and with a strong commitment to circular economy.
During the “DÃa B 2024” event, held a few weeks ago, four business leaders from the coastal city and its surroundings shared their success stories.
All of them are business models that provide solutions to socio-environmental problems. Through a systemic change that involves entrepreneurs, the public sector, academia, and consumers, the region emerges as one of the leading points in the country for transformation.
At the event in Mar del Plata, more than 1100 people participated, including attendees in person and via streaming. In the panel “Local businesses challenging the paradigm,” four entrepreneurs from the city presented their cases.
Sustainable businesses: four emblematic cases
Those who spoke and showcased their work were:
1. Kalmar, the first collaborative distillery
When the B Corporation Kalmar began to take shape, distilleries were not allowed in Mar del Plata due to a municipal ordinance that had been in place for many years.
“The first thing we had to do was think collaboratively about how to unlock this to reach customers with the traceability that this industry warrants; there were many small producers operating behind closed doors,” recounted Déborah Sabsay, founder of Kausana Impact Agency and B Corporations Lucenza and Kalmar Distillery.
“We started working with the State, which supported us incredibly, and we were born with the idea that others also produce their products at Kalmar,” she added.
Sustainable businesses with B corporations. (Photo: Sistema B).
Today, in addition to their own products, Kalmar distills 42 local brands. “Not only do we promote this productive sector with the distillery, but we also share what works for us: distribution channels, impact and local suppliers,” said the businesswoman.
2. Sarasanegro, environment-focused cuisine
Sarasanegro is a renowned Mar del Plata restaurant in the national gastronomic scene, which enhances the local flavors of the Argentine coast, especially seafood and fish.
Chef Patricio Negro, after training in Europe and gaining experience in Michelin-starred establishments, founded it in 2003 with his wife, Fernanda Sarasa. Today, the restaurant has received various awards and recognitions, including the Pending B Corporation seal.
“Mar del Plata has an incredible product, which is fish; the Argentine coast has nothing to envy from other places in the world, and we must take advantage of it,” highlighted the chef.
Their menu always includes local catch of the day, as well as other ingredients sourced from local producers, such as mushrooms, honey, or potatoes.
In addition to focusing on environmental care, the restaurant offers its collaborators training and growth opportunities within the company.
How B corporations work.
3. UNIBAIO, research, nanotechnology, and science
It is a company born out of the need to leverage scientific research to improve people’s lives through bio and nanotechnology.
“When we eat shrimp and langoustine, a lot of shells are discarded, polluting and harming the ecosystem. We, from that waste, generate the base material to develop an agro-input that replaces agrochemicals,” explained Dr. Engineer Vera Alvarez, Co-founder of UNIBAIO.
Furthermore, she is the president of FAN and Director of INTEMA and CONICET Mar del Plata. “It’s a virtuous circle, closely related to our sea. And the most interesting part is that it manages to bring together the public and private sectors to boost impactful companies that generate added value and jobs, demonstrating what science and technology can do for our society,” she concluded.
4. Procens, circular economy for agriculture
Julien Laurençon, Co-founder and CEO of Procens, presented the case of his company based in Balcarce. “We focus on scaling two fundamental natural processes: biodegradation and bioconversion, raising flies and larvae,” he detailed.
“It may sound strange, but it is a bioinnovation, and what we do is replicate what the earth itself has been doing for many years,” he added.
“We recover waste from the food industry, such as potato peels, beer mash, or non-edible fruits and vegetables, and create a mix to feed larvae. This way, we breed flies that bioconvert and provide us with a super fertile material, full of life, with high levels of available chitin,” Laurençon explained.
“This is reintegrated into the industry as an agricultural biofertilizer. Our product improves soil health, biological activity, and also enhances potato yield per hectare,” he added.
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