Mariana Pérez

In Colombia, nearly the entire population—99.3%—breathes air that exceeds WHO pollution guidelines. Over the past two decades, particulate pollution has surged by 52.8%, cutting into life expectancy. Recognising the urgent need for action, Mariana Pérez developed a technology that directly captures and neutralises airborne pollutants. Through her company Ecol-Air, she is working to turn the tide on air pollution, offering a scalable solution to improve air quality and protect public health.  

Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems generally target carbon dioxide, however, Pérez’s innovation removes a wider range of pollutants including nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Named FIVA, the system uses a network of cylinders and a capture tank, designed with biomimetic "mechanical bronchioles" and "alveoli" to optimise pollutant absorption. FIVA can be installed on chimneys to draw in and process polluted air before expelling cleaner air or used as a free-standing unit to purify ambient air. Captured gases are neutralised with a tailored solvent, then processed to create biodegradable polymers. The polymers can then be used to create eco-friendly packaging and industrial materials, such as biodegradable bags or tiles. 

In 2023, the first air treatment plant using Ecol-Air technology opened in Girardota, Colombia, processing 70 tonnes of air daily with 82% efficiency. Five months later, a second plant launched. In 2025, the Air Innovation Center in Barbosa will begin operating, aiming to process 497 tonnes of air daily while promoting awareness and research on air quality.  

A vision turned reality 

At eight, Pérez noticed how rain washed away the dirt and residue from vehicle emissions on her father’s car. This led her to imagine a machine that could "wet the smoke" and remove pollutants from the air. Encouraged by her father, she built increasingly complex prototypes and showcased them at science fairs. Through these fairs, she met industry experts who financed her work and later co-founded Ecol-Air with Pérez and her father.  

Many young scientists battle to transition from lab to market.  Pérez, however, was determined to avoid the same pitfalls, “While we can create incredible solutions for the planet, health and for people, scaling our projects and turning them into businesses is what gives our inventions a real future. We can’t stop at just having an idea; we need to develop it to inspire the next generation.”  

Gaining industry trust was initially challenge and Pérez often faced scepticism when presenting her solution to businesses. To prove its viability, she took a bold step: “I decided to install free devices at large companies. My partners thought I was crazy!” The strategy worked. Once industries understood the efficacy of the device, demand followed.  

Today, Ecol-Air provides devices to a mix of industry and academic collaborators. To support international expansion, Pérez relocated to the United States in 2024, taking on the role of project manager to oversee new developments.   

Towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

By improving air quality and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants, Perez’s technology supports SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). It also supports SDG 13 (climate action) by capturing and repurposing emissions.