Angela Maria Torres

Colombian environmental engineer who created biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics from Amazonian plants

Angela Maria Torres is a Colombian bioengineer whose 2020 discovery of a biodegradable material derived from Amazonian chontaduro palm trees has transformed sustainable packaging. Her BioPackEco material decomposes in 30 days and requires no industrial processing. By 2023:

• Replaced 2 million plastic bags in Bogotá
• Secured $2.4 million in green investment
• Won the 2022 Latin American Green Tech Prize

Torres' process uses 70% less water than traditional plastic production and creates jobs in rainforest communities. Her company's partnership with Coca-Cola Colombia in 2024 led to biodegradable 6-packs for beverages. A 2025 UN report highlighted her material's potential to reduce Amazon deforestation by creating economic incentives for palm tree preservation.

In 2023, Torres launched the Raíz Innovations lab to develop other plant-based materials. Her team recently created edible cutlery from yuca starch that's now used in 500+ restaurants across Latin America. Torres' work has been profiled in National Geographic's 2024 climate issue and she advises the Colombian Ministry of Environment on circular economy policies.

Her innovations have inspired similar projects in Peru and Brazil, creating a regional network of bio-based material producers. In 2025, she announced plans to scale production to replace 50% of Colombia's single-use plastics by 2030 through a government-industry partnership.