By Piotr Ostrowski, Online Travel Operations Director at Oojo

This year has marked significant strides toward a major consolidation of crypto assets, particularly in Latin America. Just a few years ago El Salvador, for example, took the initiative in promoting financial inclusion and became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as a legal tender worldwide. With Argentina leading the region in terms of cryptocurrency value received at an estimated $91.1 billion (slightly ahead of Brazil’s estimated $90.3 billion^*), the region holds a lot of promise of being the next “it” destination for major crypto developments. The young, tech-savvy population is hungry for changes in the financial sector and is therefore driving crypto adoption further, boldly positioning the region as a leader across the globe.

As cryptocurrency continues to gain momentum, its impact on various sectors, travel, is becoming impossible to ignore. However, the need for robust security and tighter regulations has become a critical roadblock to crypto’s growth. Without these safeguards in place, both users and businesses could face significant risks, making these precautions the essential baggage that ensures the smooth journey of crypto in the travel world. 

Setting Sail with Crypto

Let’s face it: crypto is becoming an integral part of the travel industry. About 67% of consumers in Latin America express interest in using cryptocurrency for travel, alongside traditional payment methods^**. In countries with limited access to traditional banking, like Argentina and Venezuela, travelers are turning to crypto-friendly booking platforms, such as Travala or Skylux Travel; such platforms allow crypto-powered payments for flights, hotels, and activities, therefore winning clients‘ confidence. 

As traditional payment methods might come with hefty exchange fees and delays, cryptocurrency for travel payments offers a fast, secure, and cost-effective way to make cross-border payments straight away. As an example, imagine a traveler from Argentina booking a trip to Mexico. Traditional payment methods would require hefty exchange fees, especially with Argentina’s restrictive currency policies. But, when it comes to crypto, the same traveler can pay directly and instantaneously – skipping the middlemen and keeping costs in check.

In other words, the payments can be made anytime from anywhere, without being tied to a specific banking system, which is particularly useful for families relying on remittances. But to set sail smoothly, crypto needs the right regulatory winds, or else its potential in travel could hit rough waters.

The Watchdogs of Crypto

I know what you’re thinking – crypto in LatAm smells fishy. But it’s more like a fresh catch with real substance, as crypto assets are adding a real thick layer to Latin America’s economy, plus regulatory bodies are stepping in to provide a stable legal ground. Crypto assets offer Latin America a very appealing benefit – it offers stability, which is particularly meaningful keeping in mind that economies in Latin America are historically sensitive to inflation and currency fluctuations. 

While cryptocurrency regulations in Latin American countries vary widely with countries like Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela taking restrictive measures towards crypto and either prohibiting or keeping it to the bare minimum, most of countries in Latin America are opting a comprehensive regulatory framework of cryptocurrencies, recognizing Bitcoin as legal tender while also introducing stricter oversight and progressive income tax frameworks.

In Colombia, for example, an estimated 11.3% of the population has used or owns cryptocurrencies, which represents approximately 5.7 million people in the country – the numbers are indeed very promising. Colombia, for example, has implemented a regulatory sandbox through its Financial Superintendence (SFC), where it tests and assesses crypto business models in a controlled setting, and a new, stronger standard is expected already by 2025ⁱⁱⁱ. This includes mandatory registration, transparency, and strict AML/KYC policies to align with global standards—positioning Colombia as a secure and attractive crypto market.

New regulations are in process, with the objective of boosting transparency and protecting investors by requiring crypto companies to disclose product risks. Such standards bring crypto closer to traditional finance practices, reducing fraud and market manipulation risks.

On top of that, the entire region is undergoing a significant shift in regulatory frameworks, driven by its Central Bank which is taking the initiative to provide safer legal ground for both businesses and users alike.

Clearing the Air

For the industry, crypto payments reduce user friction which used to be a major hindering factor when booking travel. But if these new forms of payment are not secure, reliable, and properly guided, the whole system essentially collapses – without any chance of ever recovering user trust. 

Latin America’s crypto journey is just taking off. Global and borderless, crypto and tourism make the perfect marriage material, and as the legal setting is now being arranged, this pairing looks ready for its ‘happily ever after’.

By Sverre Puustusmaa, CEO & Founder, Tactical Solutions

The world faces a dual food crisis: widespread insecurity, with over 700 million people going hungry, and massive waste, with nearly 40% of food lost globally each year. This contradiction is staggering, but thankfully innovative technologies are offering hope.

Freeze-drying provides an effective solution to both of these challenges. This process can preserve food for up to 25 years while retaining 97% of its nutritional value, the process addresses critical issues of spoilage and accessibility. Additionally the lightweight, shelf-stable characteristics of freeze-dried food makes it ideal for emergency relief, global aid distribution, and supplying remote regions.

Freeze-drying improves food security and reduces waste by preserving surplus produce for future use. Compared to traditional preservation techniques, the method lowers greenhouse gas emissions and consumes less energy. As population growth and climate change exacerbate global challenges, freeze-drying could be crucial in developing a sustainable and resilient food system.

What is Freeze-Drying?

Freeze-drying is a preservation method that involves first freezing the food, then using a vacuum to remove water through a process called sublimation. Freeze-drying helps retain the food’s nutritional value, preserves its texture and flavor, and extends its shelf life without the need for refrigeration. Unlike traditional dehydration, which uses heat and can degrade both nutrients and taste, freeze-drying results in a lightweight product that is ideal for storage and transport.

Freeze-drying is a versatile process that can be applied to various types of food, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and complete meals.

Emergency Relief Support

As food insecurity becomes a growing global challenge, innovative technologies such as freeze-drying offer essential solutions. This method preserves food in a way that maintains the benefits of the original product, effectively bridging the gap between surplus resources and areas facing scarcity. From emergency aid to improvements in long-term supply chains, freeze-drying addresses a wide range of needs in the fight against hunger.

In humanitarian crises caused by natural disasters, conflicts, or pandemics, rapid access to nutritious food is vital. Freeze-dried meals are lightweight, compact, and easy to transport, making them ideal for emergency responses. With the simple addition of water, these meals can provide essential nutritions, even when infrastructure is compromised.

For isolated or underserved regions, where fresh produce is scarce due to logistical challenges, freeze-dried food offers a reliable alternative. Its long shelf life and nutrient retention ensure that communities can access essential vitamins and minerals without dependence on regular supply chains.

Freeze-drying also reduces spoilage during transit, which is especially important when moving food across long distances. Its reduced weight lowers transportation costs, while its durability minimises losses caused by handling and environmental factors.

Addressing the Food Waste Pandemic

Food waste is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 8 – 10% attributed to discarded food. Freeze-drying can play a significant role in reducing this waste by preserving the surplus of food that goes unused everyday. For example, peak harvests that would otherwise go unsold can be processed into freeze-dried products, extending their usability and preventing spoilage.

By requiring no refrigeration during storage or transportation, freeze-dried products significantly reduce energy consumption and associated carbon emissions. These attributes make the technology a key player in building resilient, sustainable food systems.

This approach turns potential waste into a valuable, long-lasting resource. Additionally, freeze-drying uses less energy than methods like canning or freezing, making it a more sustainable choice for large-scale food preservation.

Economically speaking, freeze-drying supports local producers by creating markets for surplus crops that might otherwise be discarded. It also empowers aid organisations by enabling them to stockpile food supplies for future crises, reducing reliance on reactive procurement.

The Future of Freeze-Drying

As the global population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, the demand for food is expected to increase by 60%. This growing need will require new and innovative approaches to production, preservation, and distribution. Freeze-drying offers a scalable solution that can meet these demands while addressing sustainability goals.

For governments and organisations, investing in freeze-drying technology and infrastructure presents an opportunity to enhance food security, reduce waste, and mitigate the environmental impact of food systems. By integrating freeze-drying into supply chains, nations can build resilience against future disruptions, including climate change and geopolitical instability.

Freeze-drying is more than a technological advancement – it’s a critical tool for addressing the interconnected challenges of food insecurity and waste. By extending shelf life, retaining nutritional value, and reducing spoilage, freeze-drying has the potential to reinvent how we store and distribute food.

As the world faces growing environmental and humanitarian challenges, embracing sustainable innovations like freeze-drying will be essential to creating a more equitable and food-secure future. Through collaborative efforts between governments, aid organisations and private bodies, this technology can help reshape global food systems for the better, for everyone.

Bio:

Sverre Puustusmaa is the CEO and founder of Tactical Solutions, a company he established in 2016. With a background as a soldier in the special forces and a medic in challenging conditions, Sverre was inspired to create a solution to the low-quality military rations he encountered during critical missions. His frustration with inadequate food led to the development of a solution that prioritises high-quality, nutritious meals in all conditions.

Under Sverre’s leadership, Tactical Solutions has pioneered innovations in food technology and sustainability. The company’s mission is to deliver nutritious, economically efficient food solutions without compromising on taste, embodied through successful brands like Tactical Foodpack and Chef Urban. Sverre’s focus on quality drives his commitment to ensuring that food should never be compromised.

By Leyla Alieva, Co-Founder and CEO of NEOL Copper Technologies, and Paul Whiting, CEO of Delta-Xero

The lubricant industry is an important yet often overlooked cornerstone of the global economy, ensuring the seamless operation of machinery across numerous sectors. Despite its importance, the sector doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Many businesses underestimate the value and capabilities of advanced lubrication programs, leading to missed opportunities to maximise the efficiency and lifespan of equipment, as well as prevent the excessive consumption of oils.

As industries face growing pressure to prioritise sustainability and reduce carbon footprints, the use of traditional lubrication practices is becoming a significant challenge. Businesses need to consider not only the technical performance of lubricants but also their environmental impact—both in production and usage. Companies must shift their focus toward selecting, and investing in, more sustainable and efficient lubrication solutions, driving their respective industries to resilience through circular economy.

Critical role of lubricants in driving efficiency

Lubricants are far more than a technical necessity—they’re vital for minimising friction, reducing wear, preventing unexpected downtime, and extending the life of equipment. High-quality lubricants can significantly decrease maintenance costs and operational downtime. For instance, in sectors like transportation, efficient lubrication can enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.

However, many businesses in the UK are still unaware of these benefits. Too often, users opt for cheaper oils, without realising the long-term costs to machinery performance and environmental sustainability. At the same time, equipment failures are frequently blamed on oils, when the real culprit is poor oil management.

This highlights a pressing need for education around the advantages of advanced lubrication. By providing education on innovative lubricants and lubrication practices, companies can empower users to make informed choices, which ultimately leads to better machinery performance and reduced waste. For instance, synthetic base oils additised with copper filming technology allow companies to maintain machinery efficiency without aging, breakdowns, or toxic emissions.

Addressing the environmental impact of lubricants

As the push toward Net Zero 2030 intensifies, industries can no longer ignore environmental pressures. The lubricant industry contributes to carbon emissions through oil and natural gas extraction, production, and disposal. But there are solutions on the horizon to minimise this contribution —innovative companies are leading the charge toward sustainability. A combination of high-quality synthetic lubricants and filtration can significantly reduce the overall consumption of lubricants and associated carbon emissions.

Additionally, this “dynamic duo” can reduce the frequency of oil changes, leading to lower waste generation and reducing the overall cost of lubrication. Extending lubricant lifespans through innovative filtration solutions could revolutionise lubricants sector and dramatically reduce environmental impact.

Embracing the circular economy

The lubricant industry is beginning to embrace the principles of the circular economy, prioritising value over volume, a shift that is redefining its future. Traditionally, spent lubricants were treated as waste, but that mindset is also changing. Recycling and reusing oils is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity.  Reconditioning used oils by removing contaminants and restoring their properties conserves valuable resources and reduces environmental harm.

Major oil companies are now exploring oil filtration and recycling as viable solutions, signaling a shift toward sustainability. This is more than a trend; it’s a transformative movement reshaping the industry.

While synthetic lubricants are typically more efficient than conventional oils, their higher cost has deterred many industries from making the switch. However, as filtration methods advance extending their useful life, the long-term cost savings of synthetic lubricants become clearer and adoption rates are expected to rise.

Looking forward

Machinery lubrication plays a critical role in addressing some of today’s biggest industrial challenges, from improving performance to reducing carbon emissions. Advanced lubrication practices not only extend equipment life and enhance efficiency but also help cut waste and support sustainability. By adopting innovative solutions like reconditioning oils and synthetic base oils, businesses can drive operational success while reducing their environmental impact.

As the industry evolves, it’s crucial to recognise the potential of advanced lubricants in solving both business and environmental issues. They are more than just maintenance tools; they are key drivers of sustainability and efficiency. By embracing these innovations, companies can boost their bottom lines while contributing to a more sustainable future for the planet.