Katherine Gabriela Ruiz Montoya
Carlos Javier Gonzales García
Fiorella Cánepa Herrera
EGADE Business School Tecnologico de Monterrey
Consuelo Garcia-de-la-torre
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Reborn is a Peruvian company incorporated in 2012 with the main objectives of producing biofuel upon the conversion of used vegetable oil, and to generate awareness in society about the importance of responsible disposal of used vegetable oil and the production of clean energy.
In Peru there is no appropriate mechanism for the proper disposal of used vegetable oil. Therefore, 80% of said substance is discarded by the sink, and finally ends at the sea.
One liter of oil contaminates one thousand liters of water; therefore, it is very important to prevent the continuation of this type of contamination.
Given this problem, since 2012, Reborn is an innovative solution because it is dedicated to collect used vegetable oil and transforms it into biodiesel.
Biodiesel is commercialized among several customers, who, when using said fuel, help the environment and support a private initiative that represents an excellent alternative to avoid water pollution.
As part of the process of conversion of the used vegetable oil, Reborn takes care that the collected oil maintains acidity ranges of up to 5%. Levels higher than 5% are equivalent to a use of more than 4 times and have a high carcinogenic potential.
This is important to mention because one of the main sources of used vegetable oil for Reborn are the restaurants, with which, the Company is initiating the issuance of Certificates to the restaurants indicating that their establishments carry out the responsible waste of the used vegetable oil and that the Acidity level of the used vegetable oil is acceptable. This certification provides confidence to the consumers about the quality of the food acquired and consequently originates their loyalty.
On the other hand, in the conversion of used vegetable oil into biodiesel, glycerin is generated. This product is utilized as a detergent for cleaning floors, and its marketed by Reborn. Besides, it is a sample of circular economy.
According to the General Manager of Reborn, what inspired him to create this company was the negative effect of climate change on our planet and how it is increasing. The increase in the gap of the ozone layer, the thaw in the Arctic and the Cordillera Blanca, the increase in natural disasters (huaycos) and how they are greatly damaging Peru; was one of the factors that inspired him to want to be part of the change since we are one of the countries with the greatest potential to generate clean energy.
The overall impact of Reborn on the environment is mainly due to the reduction of water pollution, as well as the reduction of the emission of toxic gases (CO2). This is carried out with the conversion of the used vegetable oil (which currently the restaurants pour 80% of it to the pipeline, thus damaging the water that flows into the sea) in Biofuel that is used to replace Diesel ( fuel that generates high CO2 emissions generating a high pollution to the ozone layer). Currently, Reborn has a production capacity of 5,000 gallons of biodiesel per month and the Company plans to reach a production of 15,000 gallons per month. This means that, with the current production, Reborn Peru is stopping contaminating 22,700,000 liters of water per month and is not emitting 60,000 kilos of CO2; and it has a projection of 68,100,000 liters of water that is not being contaminated, as well as 180,000 kilos of CO2 that is not being emitted.
It is for this reason that generating awareness in people for the correct disposal of used vegetable oil, generates a positive impact since as the business grows, the positive impact for the environment will increase in the same proportion.
Reborn is doing a great job in collecting his main input, the Used Vegetable Oil. For now, Reborn does not pay for this input as it is part of the benefit it offers to society: to make people and companies aware of how to dispose of their waste and that these can be used for another productive process. In the future, with more awareness on the subject, people or companies could pay for the disposal of Used Vegetable Oil. So, in terms of costs, these include the logistics of the oil collection and the main inputs for its treatment such as caustic soda and methanol.
In terms of production, this does not contaminate and even in this process is produced a byproduct, glycerin, which is used as an input in the manufacture of soaps.
Regarding to the sale of the product; Biodiesel is sold to different customers. According to the General Manager of Reborn, the non-polluting biodiesel does not affect the motor system of the vehicles and is more economical. Another source of income that can be developed, when the brand is positioned consists of the issuance of the certificates mentioned above.
In this way, Reborn is consolidated as a self-sustaining company and also offers economic advantages that make it viable his massive consume.
There is a high potential to recycle Used Vegetable Oil as most people have no knowledge of how to dispose of it. According to the General Manager of Reborn the willingness of people to join the environmental concept is; most people want to support.
However, since there is no knowledge of the impact generated by its waste, nor a culture of responsible disposal of the Used Vegetable Oil and no alternatives for its correct disposal; an opportunity to reduce the impact of carbon emissions and water pollution is lost.
In this way, the benefits are the following:
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Reborn is a Peruvian company that produce biofuel upon the conversion of used vegetable oil and generates awareness in society about the importance of a responsible disposal of this substance.
