INTRODUCTION
Environmental Catalysis Research Group was founded on 1992 by Prof. Consuelo Montes de Correa. The group is currently adscribed to the Engineering Faculty of the University of Antioquia and it is A1 according to the Colciencias classification of 2021.
Group's mission is to promote environmental improvement through the use of catalytic methods for control of gaseous pollutants emissions, as well as development of environmentally friendly routes to obtain products with added value. With this aim the group carries on applied research projects and divulges the knowledge through publications on scientific journals and presentations in national and international events.
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As its vission, the group expects to promote with its research the practical application of catalysts to purify the environment and prevent its contamination. The group will serve as a platform for research projects funded by national and international entities and for collaborations with industry and other research groups on issues of practical importance that involve catalytic materials, pollutant analysis, chemical synthesis, biomass transformation and environmentally friendly processes. In addition, it will be recognized at an academic and industrial level as an active research center in applied catalysis for the protection of the environment and the transformation of biomass. Special attention will be paid to the global impact of processes on the environment using tools for life cycle analysis, modeling and simulation of processes to find the most technically, economically and environmentally favorable conditions.
General Objective
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To contribute with scientific knowledge and practical solutions to reducing environmental impact through the development of preventive and corrective technologies.
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Specific Objectives
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1. Design, prepare, characterize and evaluate catalysts that minize or eliminate the negative impacts to the environment generated by the processes.
2. Propose sustainable processes that allow obtaining high added value products for the fine chemical industry from renewable natural resources and waste
3. Identify and evaluate strategies for energy and environmental improvement of processes with emphasis on the use of waste or national raw materials.
4. Develop strategies to minimize pollutant emissions that involve combustion processes in stationary and mobile sources.
5. Produce, divulge and transfer scientific and technical knowledge derived from the projects carried out.
6. To train human resources, especially at the master's and doctoral level in areas of growing interest such as environmental protection, the design of processes and products, and the transformation of biomass.
7. Promote the exchange of researchers through internships, postdoctoral stays and / or expert visits financed by national or international entities.
EVENTS
NEWS
Ranked as A1 group in call 957 of 2024 of Minciencias
Video about Environmental Catalysis Research Group: https://bit.ly/2QMPA5O
SCIENCE monologues (Explora la UdeA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z2LH-hyNmo&list=PL_HkC8-huRmgNYCF1-mxHEQR_EPuxLh_U&index=4
SEMINARS
​​March 23, 2026
Holiday in Colombia
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March 30, 2026
Holy Monday
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April 6, 2026
Buenas prácticas de almacenamiento de sustancias químicas. Criterios de compatibilidad química y aplicación de la matriz de compatibilidad.
Edwin Alexis Zapata Duque (Gestor Ambiental División de Infraestructura y Logística Vicerrectoría Administrativa)
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April 13, 2026
Advances in Biorefinery Using Task-Specific Supported Ionic Liquids
Dr. Julián Sánchez
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​Recovery of Metals from Spent Catalysts
Bibiana Ramírez (PhD Student in Chemical Engineering)
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Simulation of looped chemical reforming in fluidized bed reactors.
Douglas Rodríguez (Professor)
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April 20, 2026
Current Status and Future Pathways for NOx Emission Reduction
Lina María González (Professor)
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April 27, 2026
Beyond Thermal Efficiency: Characterization of Particulate Emissions from a Forced-Draft Biomass Gasification Stove
Felipe Bustamante (Professor)
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May 4, 2026
Encapsulation of Macronutrients as Improved-Efficiency Fertilizers in Nanocellulose Isolated from Hedychium coronarium Waste from the Municipality of Quibdó, Chocó
Juan Carlos Cuesta Caicedo (Master's Student in Chemical Sciences)
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May 11, 2026
Use of Citrus Peel to Obtain Products that Improve Ecosystem Services in Colombia (Progress Report)
Amiris Perea (PhD Student in Chemical Engineering)
Hydration of limonene catalyzed by activated carbon derived from agro-industrial waste
Marta Mediavilla (Research Professor)
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May 18, 2026
Holiday in Colombia
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May 25, 2026
CO2 capture capacity of organometallic framework materials (MOFs) synthesized from spent catalysts of the oil refining industry (Advances)
Bibiana Ramírez (PhD Student in Chemical Engineering)
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Chemical valorization of COâ‚‚: advances in catalytic routes and future perspectives
Sofía Valentina Quintana (Master's student in Engineering)
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June 1st, 2026
GAGAS Report – Environmental Catalysis
Members of the GAGAS Environmental Catalysis group
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Methods for Crystal Production of natural compounds
Aída Luz Villa (Professor)
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State of art of terpineol synthesis
Angie Vanessa Moreno Palacios (Master's student in Engineering)
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June 8, 2026
Holiday in Colombia
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June 15, 2026
Holiday in Colombia
INFORMATION OF INTEREST
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Last updated: March 23rd 2026