Panka Inventions is the result of the joint work of a multidisciplinary group of young innovators: Xavier Cóndor, Jhoao Minago, Darío Cabezas and Arianna Paredes. Its main objective is to mitigate the environmental impact of used cooking oil on Ecuador’s water resources. In order to achieve this, they are dedicated to collecting and revaluing this oil as a raw material to develop a complete range of environmentally innovative products, thus contributing to the economic development of socially vulnerable sectors in the country.

The company has established itself as a sustainable entity in Ecuador and is dedicated to the production and distribution of high-quality products in the mechanical-industrial sector. Its goal is to provide a green alternative to fossil fuels, which are responsible for greenhouse gases. As a means to achieve this, they use used cooking oil (which is highly polluting waste) to produce biodiesel.

Panka Inventions will participate in the event called SFERA Experience 2023, which will take place from July 3 to 7 in Costa Rica. The SFERA Experience event is a space for collaboration and social innovation in which students from Ibero-American universities will develop proposals to address challenges that involve social transformations for the benefit of their local communities. The main objective is to contribute to the promotion of an inclusive, informed and supportive society.

At SFERA, social entrepreneurship is understood as a philosophy of life that must permeate all elements of the system, including companies, governments, civil society, consumers, investors, and communities.

Through their startup Panka Inventions, these Yachay Tech students have created Biorush 18-11, their leading product. Biorush 18-11 is a powerful lubricant that easily removes rust and corrosion. It is ideal for loosening vehicle parts, cleaning or degumming surfaces, lubricating chains or metal mechanisms, and loosening windows or doors, among other uses.

Unlike other multi-purpose fluids available on the market, Biorush easily degrades with water without leaving contaminating residues, thus making it ideal for both the mechanical industry and domestic use. In addition to the development of the chemical formula for Biorush 18-11, they have also planned a strategy to promote oil recycling and help vulnerable groups to improve their quality of life. They train groups of women and recyclers to turn used oil into soap.

According to Andrés Rosales, Rector of Yachay Tech, “The knowledge acquired by our students in the classroom materializes in practice and becomes a tangible reality in our country. This gives them the opportunity to carry out high-impact research for the benefit of our community.”

We congratulate our students for their outstanding work and wish them success in their participation in Costa Rica. We are inspired by their dedication and effort and are confident that they will leave their mark on the event.