{"id":3667,"date":"2021-09-07T12:42:43","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T12:42:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/?p=3667"},"modified":"2024-04-22T06:15:42","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T06:15:42","slug":"carlos-uraga-nantek-plastic-success-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/carlos-uraga-nantek-plastic-success-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Carlos Uraga, co-founder of Nantek, finds treasure in plastic waste. Success Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Carlos Uraga, <\/strong>CEO and Co-founder of Nantek<\/strong>, took part in IESE Business Angels Network\u2019s 1st Sustainable Investment Forum, winning the GFT Banco Sabadell Sustainability Award for his company’s plan to turn plastic waste into fuel and other products.<\/blockquote><\/span><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-to-top”]Perhaps nothing symbolizes the environmental destruction of the past 50 years more than the vast quantities of single-use plastic bottles and bags choking the planet\u2019s rivers and seas. But for Carlos Uraga, an engineer turned serial entrepreneur, \u201cThe problem is not the plastic. The problem is badly managed plastic waste.\u201d<\/p>\n

In nearly every sector, plastic use is growing \u2013 accelerated in part by the coronavirus pandemic, as single use was believed to be safer. From its light weight to its hygienic properties to its durability, plastic\u2019s versatility makes it a hard habit to break.<\/p>\n

Enter Uraga, who was determined to do something about it. An industrial design engineer, he had already founded a robotics company and an English-language school. \u201cMy family says that from the time I was little I would say that I didn\u2019t want to work for someone else,\u201d he says. Instead, he prefers the freedom to create new projects and explore his own limits.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou always have to start with the determination to do something,\u201d he explains. From there, he outlined a plan. As with any entrepreneurial endeavor, he made a few mistakes on the path to execution. \u201cIn the beginning, that\u2019s normal,\u201d he says. \u201cBut then you learn how to come up with a better plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Winning formula<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The result is Nantek<\/a>, which, following Uraga\u2019s research into nanomaterials and reactive agents, has developed a process to convert plastic waste into fuels, petrochemicals and other products.<\/p>\n

Nantek was one of eight startups chosen to take part in the IESE Business Angels Network\u2019s first Sustainable Investment Forum<\/a>, in which various entrepreneurs presented their projects \u2013 ranging from\u00a0floating offshore wind turbines,\u00a0to\u00a0electric bike parking stations,\u00a0to\u00a0software for measuring companies\u2019 carbon footprints. Nantek won the forum\u2019s GFT Banco Sabadell Sustainability Award, chosen unanimously because the judges saw the potential impact it could have on the seemingly intractable problem of plastic waste.[\/vc_column_text]

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