Diego Mena

Revolutionized biodegradable materials through avocado seed innovation

Colombian chemical engineer Diego Mena founded Biofase in 2020 with a radical idea - using avocado seeds to produce biodegradable plastics. His company now processes 150 tons of agricultural waste daily, creating sustainable packaging materials that decompose in 240 days. Mena's process converts 75% of each avocado seed into usable material, addressing both plastic pollution and food waste challenges. Featured in National Geographic's 2022 sustainability series, his work has diverted over 6 million pounds of waste from landfills. Partnering with major brands like L'Oréal and IKEA, Biofase's products are certified by the US FDA and EU Biodegradable Products Institute. Mena's TED Talk 'Seeds of Change' (watch here) has over 2.3 million views, inspiring global adoption of circular economy practices. His innovations earned him a 2024 Global Thinkers Award for Environmental Leadership.