DUVI 06/07/2026
Xanel Vecino, a researcher at the Center for Research in Technologies, Energy and Industrial Processes (Cintecx) of the University of Vigo, has been awarded one of only three grants granted nationwide in the field of Environmental Technologies under the Research Consolidation 2025 call of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. This initiative allocated €25 million this year to strengthen the research careers of 130 researchers across Spain.
The grant awarded to the researcher and lecturer at the School of Industrial Engineering amounts to nearly €200,000 (€199,595) and will fund, over a two-year period, the project Electromembrane Processes for the Recovery of Corn-Derived Biosurfactants (Emcobios). The project’s objective is to develop sustainable technologies for recovering biosurfactants from waste streams generated by the corn industry, a research field in which Vecino has been working for several years.
“Obtaining this grant represents a significant boost for me,” explains Vecino, who highlights the importance of securing funding in such a highly competitive call. Of the nine applications submitted by the University of Vigo, only this one was successful, giving the institution a success rate of 11.11%.
Transforming Waste into a High-Value Resource
The main objective of Emcobios is to develop and validate innovative membrane-based technologies, particularly pilot-scale electrodialysis, to recover biosurfactants present in corn steep water (CSW), a liquid by-product generated by the corn industry.
Biosurfactants are biologically derived compounds that offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional surfactants used in numerous industrial sectors. However, their production and recovery still present significant technological challenges. The project aims to address these challenges through more efficient and environmentally friendly separation systems.
Unlike traditional methods, which often rely on chemical solvents, Emcobios focuses on membrane technologies capable of separating and concentrating valuable compounds while reducing energy consumption and avoiding the use of toxic substances. Among these technologies, electrodialysis stands out due to its high ionic selectivity. In addition to recovering biosurfactants, it also enables the valorization of other compounds present in these industrial streams, such as organic acids.
With Xanel Vecino serving as principal investigator, the project will also involve researchers from the Chemical Engineering 10 Group at Cintecx and collaborators from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).
Research Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals
According to Vecino, this work will contribute to the development of more sustainable processes for biosurfactant extraction, integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria.
The research is also closely linked to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting more sustainable and biocompatible products, encouraging more efficient water management, fostering innovation in industrial processes, supporting responsible production models, and contributing to climate change mitigation.
For the researcher, receiving this grant also has significant professional implications.
“It supports my long-term stability within the University of Vigo by encouraging the creation and consolidation of permanent academic positions, which is a great source of satisfaction for me both professionally and personally,” she notes.
Applications in the Cosmetics and Agrochemical Sectors
Beyond scientific advances, Emcobios also seeks to facilitate the transfer of knowledge to industry. The implementation of the technologies developed within the project will generate solutions applicable to sectors such as cosmetics and agrochemicals, contributing to the development of new environmentally friendly biotechnological products and strengthening the competitiveness of Spanish and European industry.
Ultimately, the project aims to transform an agro-industrial waste stream into a source of high-value-added compounds through innovative and sustainable technologies, thereby promoting production models based on the principles of the circular economy and the efficient use of resources.