“ Rafael Herena, CEO and founder of Blueming Biotech: "Thanks to the CDTI Innovation and european funds MRR we have developed Ecometry IoT, device which measures the quality of water and detects compounds such as nitrates and phosphates ”

In Spain, water is an increasingly valuable resource and difficult to manage. Prolonged drought, the visible effects of climate change, the intensification of agriculture and the pressure on the rivers and aquifers pose problems affecting the economy and the environment and society. In this scenario, the region of Murcia has become a reference point in efficient use of water and in the search for innovative solutions to optimize a scarce resource. In this region, enterprises, research centres and administrations for decades to develop and refine advanced irrigation systems located, re-use of purified water desalination, marina and integration of new digital technologies to optimize each liter of water available.

The situation of the Mar Menor has put further highlight the urgency of the prevention of pollution by nutrients and improve the management of discharges. In this context Blueming arises Biotech, a path that develops technological devices themselves and protocols for measuring promptly and accurately the nutrients and pollutants present in the water. As explains Rafael Herena, CEO and founder of the company, “ Blueming Biotech was born the idea of using science for a real problem and urgent as is the quality of water ”.

After almost a decade in northern europe, between ireland and the netherlands, where he worked in forensic chemical with the same technology that apply today Herena decided that knowledge to their country: “ Upon return to Spain, just before the pandemic, i asked: Why not take advantage of this experience to measure something as critical as nutrient pollution in water? ”.

What began as “ a prototype in a house in San Pedro del Pinatar ” is today an international project that exported to several countries in europe and america. But, as stressed Herena, essence still intact: “ we are a small team and committed that believes every drop of water account ”. His personal engagement has also served as an engine: their daughters and love for the Mar Menor is made to realize that it should put its experience "in the service of something with direct impact ”.

Demonstration of Ecometry: the device can be measured in minutes water quality

Mission and vision: real data for a critical resource

Blueming Biotech was born with a clear mission: to turn water into something tangible. According To Herena, its objective is that farmers, managers and managers can take decisions based on facts, not approximations of conductivity. “ Our mission is to give real data, timely and accessible, using technology that not only is accurate, but also sustainable and practice, ” explains.

The vision of Blueming Biotech is equally ambitious: to become a reference point in advanced sensórica for water and environment. Herena emphasizes that you want, in a few years, “ when someone wants to know what is in your water, think of Blueming Biotech ”. This approach reflects the commitment of the company responsible management of an increasingly scarce and strategic, especially in critical regions as Murcia.

For Blueming Biotech, the mission and vision are not just corporate concepts: are the guide that clearly defines each decision, each technological development and each new project. Since the establishment of protocols own up to the design of its first portable device, Ecometry Nano, the company pursues that information on water accessible and understandable for any user.

Ecometry: a laboratory in pocket format

Ecometry is not a conventional sensor; it is, in the words of its CEO, “ a system of on-site analysis, laboratory in small format ”. The device allows a true multianálisis: measuring various parameters and in a single drop of water and in a matter of seconds. All this without calibration, without use of chemicals and reusable sensor. This makes it particularly useful tools in areas without infrastructure. In Addition, it opens the door to the automation of systems for analysing, supported by the CDTI Innovation through the Neotec.

The heart of Ecometry voltamperometría, is a technique with long-haul electrochemical in laboratories, traditionally applied by bulky. In recent years thanks to advances in technology mail has been miniaturised and Blueming Biotech has leveraged to develop their own analysis protocols and implement them outside the laboratory These protocols identifying ions in the water through its “ fingerprint ” power. As explains the CEO: “ applies an electric signal very specific and each ion responded differently. The system will interpret these responses and have become clear information for the user ”.

Therefore, the true value of Ecometry does not lie solely with your hardware, but in the software and the protocols of analysis, which make patented electrical signals on reliable and useful. The protocols define how each measure and how it interprets chemical inputs, while the software allows to store, compare and even integration of data in the cloud, transforming Ecometry in an integral tool of management, and not merely on a sensor.

Ecometry box: dispositive capable of analysing in seconds water quality

Applications and benefits for key sectors

Technology capable of detecting contaminants such as nutrients and nitrates, phosphates, ammoniuma and nitrites, apart from measuring essential parameters as pH, conductivity or quickly and directly. This allows Ecometry is applied in sectors where each test can make a difference. As you said Herena, “ the device is particularly valuable in agriculture and aquaculture, although it does have applications in environmental management, drinking water or humanitarian emergencies ”.

In agriculture, Ecometry optimizing use of fertilizers, reduce costs and prevent pollution caused by excess nutrients. Farmers can know in real time the concentration of nitrates, phosphates and different compounds in irrigation water, avoiding decisions based on estimates or proxy indicators. In aquaculture, the control of parameters such as ammonia is crucial to the survival of fish, monitoring becoming a vital management tool.

“ moreover, since Blueming Biotech we work continuously to broaden the range of Ecometry. Will soon include sodium ions as magnesium, calcium or, which will provide a complete and accessible water quality, even for users without technical expertise ”, ensures Herena.

Technological innovation and future

Blueming Biotech does not conform to a device to measure the water today; it aims to move towards a Ecometry wizard water management. By the founder, the company operates in three main lines for the future: “ We want to open the measured parameters, improving connectivity in real time and to incorporate artificial intelligence ”.

Therefore, the integration of artificial intelligence is another strategic step: “ Ecometry will not only data, but also recommendations based on results, anticipating problems and optimizing water resources management, ” says the CEO. In other words, the idea is to transform a sensor in a “ real wizard for decision-making, capable of steering home users, professionals and companies ”.

In the long term, the goal of Blueming Biotech is clear: “ We want to be internationally recognized as the company that has led the advanced analysis outside laboratories, "he says.

Detail of analysis of Blueming Biotech

Institutional momentum and passion for innovation

The support of CDTI innovation through Neotec programme, financed with european funding mechanism for the recovery and resilience (MRR), has been key to Blueming Biotech. According to the CEO, this support has marked “ a before and after ” for the company. “ Has enabled us to speed up the validation, strengthen the team and, above all, show that a company deep tech like ours, you need years before they generate income, can have a solid path, ” explains.

In addition, to Herena, be at the forefront of Blueming Biotech is not simply a job: “ At the end, lead a company like ours is not a project anyone: one for life ”. This combination of personal commitment, professional and institutional support reflects how the company aims not only innovative but also generate a real impact and sustainable water management at local and international levels.

CDTI Innovation

The centre for technological development and innovation, CDTI E.P.E. is a public company under the ministry of Science, innovation and universities, whose goal is the promotion of technological innovation in business. The CDTI mission is to ensure that the business fabric english generates and transform knowledge into growth científico-técnico globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive. By 2024, within the framework of a new strategic plan, the CDTI provided more than $2.3 billion euros of support for business startups and spain.

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