Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — Puerto Morelos has become the first circular economy hub for the comprehensive management of the state’s sargassum. The government said the municipality will be the headquarters for the conversion and recycling of sargassum seaweed.
Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, the head of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), reported that as part of the environmental strategy of the Government of Mexico in coordination with the Government of Quintana Roo, Puerto Morelos will be the headquarters of the first Circular Economy Development Hub for Well-being or Polo de Desarrollo de Economía Circular para el Bienestar PODECIBI) for the conversion and recycling of sargassum.
She says the facilities will convert the macroalgae into biofertilizers, construction materials, bioenergy and other high value-added products.
The PODECIBI Quintana Roo will cover an area of 39.9 hectares in the municipality of Puerto Morelos located in the Cancun-Riviera Maya corridor.
This is a strategic location due to its road, port and airport connectivity, which will facilitate the reception, processing and use of sargassum.
She reported that “together with the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Secihti), research has already been carried out for industrialization and to be in a position to generate biogas, bioethanol, sodium alginate, fucoidan, and biofertilizers.”
On July 27, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) published the corresponding declaration in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF).
This action falls under the Decree granting tax benefits in the Circular Economy Development Hubs for Well-being, published on July 4, 2025.
It is part of the coordinated effort between the Government of Mexico and the Government of Quintana Roo to promote investments that accelerate the transition to a sustainable development model and strengthen the environmental and economic resilience of the Mexican Caribbean.
According to Bárcena Ibarra, of 198 business initiatives, 39 are already developing products made from the state’s unwanted seaweed, and that another 11 companies have potential.
