UFPE Researcher’s Biogel Cuts Firefighting Water Use by 85%

Brazil's higher education institutions are at the forefront of tackling one of the nation's most pressing environmental challenges: devastating wildfires and agricultural burns exacerbated by climate change. Nestled within the innovation ecosystem of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), a groundbreaking biogel technology has emerged, promising to slash water usage in firefighting by up to 85%. Developed by chemical engineer José Yago Rodrigues through his startup Arqueatec, housed in UFPE's PARQ TEC technology park, this innovation bridges academic research and practical application, highlighting the pivotal role of Brazilian universities in sustainable solutions.

Wildfires in Brazil have surged dramatically, with burned areas across South America multiplying by 30 times between 2024 and 2025, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE). In the Cerrado and Amazon biomes, prolonged droughts and heatwaves have intensified the crisis, straining water resources and threatening biodiversity and agriculture. Traditional firefighting relies heavily on vast quantities of water—often 50,000 liters for a single football-field-sized blaze—but the biogel changes that equation, amplifying water's effectiveness while conserving precious reserves.

🌿 From Oil Spill Recovery to Firefighting Hero: The Origin Story

José Yago Rodrigues, a Recife native with a degree in industrial chemistry, initially dreamed of a pure academic path, pursuing a master's and doctorate. His trajectory shifted in 2019 amid Brazil's Northeast oil spill disaster. Tasked with developing gels to absorb oil from contaminated beaches, Rodrigues extracted sodium alginate—a natural polymer from marine algae—proving its versatility. This academic-inspired work evolved into the biogel for fires, patented in 2021 and commercialized via Arqueatec.

Located at UFPE's Cidade Universitária tech park, Arqueatec exemplifies how Brazilian federal universities foster entrepreneurship. The startup has secured state and federal innovation grants, plus international funding from a UK environmental tech organization. In 2025, it generated R$150,000 in revenue from 20,000 liters monthly production, projecting R$2 million in 2026 post-certifications. Rodrigues notes, "We developed a gel that extinguishes fires faster, using less water. It's biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe."

The Science Behind the Biogel: Hydrogel Mechanics Explained

Sodium alginate, the biogel's core, is a polysaccharide derived from brown marine algae like Sargassum. When dissolved in water at low concentrations (typically 0.5-2%), it forms a viscous hydrogel through ionic crosslinking with calcium ions, creating a three-dimensional network that traps water molecules.

• Step 1: Mix biogel powder with water in standard firefighting gear (backpack pumps, trucks, drones).
• Step 2: Spray forms a thin, adhesive film on vegetation, soil, or structures.
• Step 3: Film acts as a thermal barrier, reducing heat transfer, slowing flame spread, and minimizing water evaporation—extinguishing fires 3-5 times faster than water alone.
• Step 4: Degrades naturally within weeks, leaving no residue.

This step-by-step process leverages hydrogel's high water retention (up to 300 times its weight) and cooling effect, making it ideal for water-scarce regions. Similar research at universities like Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV) on fire-retardant polymers underscores Brazil's academic contributions to this field.

Real-World Impact: 85% Water Savings Proven in Field Tests

In sugarcane fields in Pernambuco, producer Vicente Henrique de Albuquerque tested the biogel during controlled burns. "We saw it meet expectations, reducing fire risk impact on production," he shared. For a large blaze equivalent to a football pitch, water needs dropped from 50,000 to 7,000 liters—a staggering 86% savings. Applied via drones for precision in hard-to-reach areas, it contained flames rapidly, protecting crops and soil.

This efficiency is crucial in Brazil's semi-arid Northeast, where water scarcity amplifies fire risks. Early adopters report fewer re-ignitions, cutting operational costs by 70-80%. As detailed in G1's coverage, the tech's field validation positions it for wider Corpo de Bombeiros integration.

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Applications Beyond Agriculture: Forests, Urban Edges, and Climate Resilience

While proven in agribusiness, the biogel's versatility extends to forest fires in the Cerrado and Amazon. Universities like Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) and Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB) explore complementary tech, such as fire-preventive hydrogels, signaling a national research wave. In urban-wildland interfaces, drone-sprayed biogel creates firebreaks, safeguarding communities.

Stakeholders praise its adaptability: low viscosity for spraying, stability in heat (up to 200°C), and non-corrosive nature for equipment. For Brazil's 2025 fire season—already devastating 10 million hectares per INPE—the biogel offers proactive prevention, sprayed pre-emptively on high-risk zones.

Environmental and Economic Wins: Sustainability Meets Scalability

Biodegradable within 21 days, the biogel minimizes ecological footprints compared to chemical foams. It preserves soil microbes and supports post-fire revegetation, aligning with Brazil's biodiversity goals. Economically, at R$2,000 per 20L pack (dilutable 1:200), it pays off via water savings—critical amid Brazil's R$1 billion annual fire damages.

Arqueatec's UFPE location facilitates university collaborations, accelerating R&D. Projections: scale to 100,000L/month by 2027, exporting to drought-prone nations like Australia and Portugal.

Challenges in Bridging Academia to Market

Rodrigues candidly shares hurdles: "Entrepreneurship is a daily challenge. Company management and finances are obstacles for those from academia." Tech transfer from labs to startups demands policy support, like expanded CNPq/FAPESP funding. Yet, successes like Arqueatec inspire, with UFPE's park incubating 50+ ventures yearly.

• Risks: Over-dilution reduces efficacy; storage in cool, dry conditions essential.
• Solutions: Standardized protocols, university-led training for firefighters.

Brazilian Higher Ed's Role in Fire Innovation Ecosystem

UFPE's PARQ TEC exemplifies how federal universities drive applied research. Complementary efforts include UFRJ's fire monitoring lab across biomes and Embrapa's hydrogel soil aids. These initiatives train chemical engineers, environmental scientists, and agronomists—fields booming with 20% job growth projected by 2030.

Explore careers at research positions or faculty roles in Brazil's unis, where innovations like biogel thrive.

Photo by Portafolio fotográfico automotriz on Unsplash

Future Horizons: Global Potential and University Partnerships

With UK funding, Arqueatec eyes Europe amid 2025's record wildfires. Brazilian unis could lead joint trials, integrating biogel with AI fire prediction (e.g., INPE models). Long-term: hybrid gels with UFPE nanomaterials for ultra-retention.

As climate pressures mount, this UFPE-spawned tech positions Brazil's higher ed as a global sustainability leader, fostering actionable insights for a resilient future.