In the Bioproducts Department we develop products and processes that are economically promising and ready for to scale-up to industrial level; our focus is on plant raw materials and by-products of the forest and agricultural industries, and their conversion to value-added products, thus, protecting the environment and benefiting society.
Fundamental knowledge is acquired primarily at the pilot scale. Expertise and equipment are available at laboratory scale as well. We have close interaction with investigators from the University: most notably, collaboration with the Department of Instrumental Analysis (Faculty of Pharmacy), the Natural Products Laboratory (Faculty of Natural and Oceanographic Sciences), and the Forest Products Laboratory (Faculty of Engineering).
Technology development is carried out in a chemical conversion processing room with state-of-the-art technology: various extraction, evaporation, fractional distillation and drying pilot plants, as well as equipment for the manufacture of reconstituted wood panels, among others. These facilities together with the associated engineering capabilities allow us to execute R+D+I projects, provide services to companies and support both international and national research groups in their needs to scale-up processes or carry out demonstration-level projects.
Among the projects executed during the 2015-2016 period, the following are worthy:
New processes of wood and wheat straw delignification and production of polyphenols from pine bark, as well as other compounds from wine industry residues and gymnosperms seeds. The components obtained from these raw materials are intermediates that can be used to generate value-added products.
Regarding lignocellulosic materials, we work on the production and use of cellulose microfibrils (CMF), as well as their use as a reinforcing material in the paper industry. A pilot plant was designed, built and implemented. Another promising product is an insulating material based on fibers of eucalyptus bark.
We use extracts of pine bark to produce natural adhesive resins, thus replacing traditional phenol and formaldehyde components. Although this is a long-standing activity at UDT, our recent efforts are focused on optimizing the curing kinetics to industrial production requirements, by reducing the viscosity of adhesive solutions and improving the moisture resistance of boards. There is done in close collaboration with companies interested in adapting these technologies.
RESEARCH LINES
Processes of chemical conversion of biomass
Lignocellulosic materials
Natural additives
Industrial papers of high mechanical performance reinforced with cellulose nanofibres. Innova Chile, code 15 VEIID-45654. Associated companies, Forestal y Papelera Concepción, Cartones San Fernando. November 2015 – November 2017.
Technology for the production of materials with thermal and acoustic insulation capability incorporating infrared attenuating agents. Fondef Idea, code ID15I10379. Associated company, CMPC. December 2015 – December 2017.
Cellulose Nano Fibers (NFC) with modified polarity. Code 2015R536. Fundación COPEC. May 2016 – July 2018.
Sustainable insulating thermal panel from Eucalyptus SP bark. Fondef Idea, code ID14I10081. Partner companies, Módulos Wewfe; EST Ltda. December 2017 – December 2019.
Stilbenes and procyanidins extracted from residues of Vitis vinifera: purified and microencapsulated product for the cosmetic and/or nutraceutical industry. Innova Chile, code 14IDL2-30156. Partner companies, Indugras S.A.; Laboratorio Pasteur S.A.; Industrias Vínicas S.A. December 2014 – November 2017.
Associative link for the development of a process to obtain high purity collagen from the by-products of the cuttlefish fishery. Corfo Technology Contracts, code 17CONTEC83617. Associated company, Sociedad Pesquera LANDES S.A. January 2018 – June 2019.
Development of eco-friendly adhesive resins with low ecological footprint for the board industry. Corfo Technology Contracts, code 17CONTEC-83018. Associated company, Resinas del Bío Bío Ltda. December 2017 – December 2019.
Pine bark tannins: Production process to supply the adhesive resin and board industry in Chile. Corfo enablers of innovation for the regional SME, code 18HIBIO-103581. Associated company, EST Ltda. December 2018 – December 2019.
Thermal treatment of wood. Prototype of Regional Innovation, code 18PIRE-103531. Associated company, EST Ltda. October 2018 – October 2019.
Improvement of the adhesion properties in MDF boards through the partial removal of extractables and carbohydrates in radiata pine chips. Direct Project of the Company. Associated company, Bioforest S.A. June 2015 – June 2016.
Industrial papers of high mechanical performance reinforced with cellulose nanofibres. Innova Chile, code 15 VEIID-45654. Associated companies, Forestal y Papelera Concepción, Cartones San Fernando. November 2015 – November 2017.
Technology for the production of materials with thermal and acoustic insulation capability incorporating infrared attenuating agents. Fondef Idea, code ID15I10379. Associated company, CMPC. December 2015-December 2017.
Obtaining biopreservatives from wood extractables as an alternative to the use of chemical-synthetic pesticides. Fondef Idea, code CA12I10142. Associated companies, Forestal Arauco S.A, Forestal Los Andes S.A., Forestal Mininco S.A. March 2013 – March 2015.
Development of the technological bases for the manufacture and use of cellulose micro/nanofibrils in papers of high performance. Innova Chile, code 13IDL2-18588. Associated company, Forestal y Papeles Concepción S.A. Executed together with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Concepción. June 2013 – June 2015.
Production of furans based on pine bark carbohydrates (BioFurans, Chile). Fondef Idea, code CA13-I-10266. Associated company, Resinas del BioBio S.A. Executed together with the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Concepción. January 2014 – November 2015.
Development of the technology for the chemical processing of wheat straw. Fondef, code IT13-I-10060. Associated companies, Zeaplast SpA, Avenatop S.A. December 2013 – December 2015.
Cellulose Nano Fibers (NFC) with modified polarity. Code 2015R536. Fundación COPEC. May 2016 – May 2018.
Insulating thermal panel from Eucalyptus SP bark. Fondef Idea, código ID14I10081. Partner companies, Fulghum Fibres; Módulos Wewfe; Urbo Arquitectura y Construcción. December 2014 – december 2016.
Development of a natural additive based on pine bark to increase the nutritional efficiency of ruminants. Fondef Idea, code ID14I10370. Partner company, Crandon. December 2014 – december 2016.
Development of a new type of excipient in the pharmaceutical industry for diabetic patients. Innova Chile, code 14IDL2-30151. Partner companies, Laboratorio Pasteur S.A.; Prodalysa S.A. November 2014 – november 2016.
Stilbenes and procyanidins extracted from residues of Vitis vinifera: purified and microencapsulated product for the cosmetic and/or nutraceutical industry. Innova Chile, code 14IDL2-30156. Partner companies, Indugras S.A.; Laboratorio Pasteur S.A.; Industrias Vínicas S.A. December 2014 – november 2017.
Development of commercial chemical products from wheat straw. Fondef D08I1100. Partner companies Papeles Biobio. S.A., Bioleche Ltda. and Granotop S.A. June 2010 – february 2013.
Natural polymeric matrices/natural fiber composites. Conicyt ANR21. Partner company LERMAB-ENSTIB Universidad Henri Poincaré (France). June 2010 – june 2013.
Obtaining high commercial value extracts, rich in stilbenes and/or procyanidins to strengthen the comprehensive utilization of waste from the wine industry. Fondef D10I1104. Partner companies Vínicas S:A., Kosmetik Chile S.A., Indugas S.A. and Vinos de Chile A.G. November 2012 – november 2014.
Obtaining a lipid extract with appetite inhibiting activity from introduced gymnosperm seeds. Fondef D11-I-1067. Partner companies Surlat Industrial S.A., Laboratorio Pasteur, CIDERE A.G., Forestal Mininco S.A. November 2012 – november 2014.
Radiata pine sawdust plastification: Development of a new quality thermoplastic material with competitive price and high market demand. Fondef D10-I-1122. Partner companies Petroquim S.A., Inaplast S.A., FKuR (Germany). November 2011 – november 2014.
Bonded cold-setting resins for reconstituted wood construction elements. Innova Chile 11IDL2-10507. Partner companies Marcus y Cía. Ltda. and Lamitec Ltda. December 2011 – december 2013.
Obtaining biopreservatives from removable components of wood as alternative to the use of synthetic chemical pesticides. Fondef Idea CA12I10142. Partner companies Forestal Arauco, Forestal Los Andes Ltda., Forestal Mininco S.A. March 2013 – march 2015.
Development of technological bases for the manufacture and use of cellulose micro/nanofibrils in high-performance papers. Innova Chile 13IDL2-18588. June 2013 – june 2015.
Production of furans based on pine bark carbohydrates (BioFurans, Chile). Fondef Idea CA13-I-10266. January 2014 – january 2015.
Alternative for the improvement of physical and mechanical properties from radiata pine wood. Innova Chile 13IDL1-25493. Partner company CMPC Maderas. April 2014 – october 2014.
Development of a technology for the chemical processing of wheat straw. Fondef IT13-I-10060. Partner companies Zeaplast SpA, Avenatop S.A. December 2013 – december 2015.
Development of commercial products from wheat straw. FONDEF: D08I1100. Together with Papeles Bio Bio S.A., Bioleche Ltda., Granotop S.A. June 2010 – February 2013.
Determination of pulp yield and fiber quality of Eucalyptus globulus and nitens; Together with Forestal Los Andes Ltda., March 2012 – April 2012
Effect of the removal of hemicelluloses from Pinus radiata wood before manufacturing plywood boards. Internal Project Thesis Fund: PFT-041; Together with the Faculty of Engineering of the Universidad de Concepción. April 2011 – September 2011.
Natural polymeric matrices/natural fiber composites. Conicyt: ANR21; Together with LERMAB – ENSTIB Henri Poincare University, Nancy 1, France. June 2010 – June 2013.
New lignocellulosic materials in fibreboards; Innova Chile: 12IDL1-13239. August 2012 – January 2013.
Obtaining cellulose acetate from wheat straw pulp. Internal Project Thesis Fund PFT- 025. Together with the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Universidad de Concepción; April 2010 – January 2011
Obtaining high commercial value extracts, rich in stilbenes and/or procyanidins to strengthen the comprehensive utilization of waste from the wine industry. FONDEF: D10I1104. Together with Vinicas S.A., Kosmetik Chile S.A, Indugras S.A. and Vinos de Chile A.G. November 2012 – November 2014.
Obtaning high value-added products from radiata pine bark. Innova Biobío: 08-PC- S1-470. Together with Resinas del Biobío Ltda. and Pesquera el Golfo S.A. April 2010 – May 2012.
Obtaining a lipid extract with appetite depressant activity from seeds of introduced gymnosperms. FONDEF: D11I1067. Together with CIDERE A.G., Laboratorio Pasteur S.A., Surlat Industrial S.A. and Forestal Mininco S.A. December 2012 – December 2015.
Radiata pine sawdust plasticizing: development of a new quality thermoplastic material with competitive prices and high market demand. FONDEF: D10I1122. Together with Petroquim S.A., Inaplast S.A. and Fkrur (Germany). November 2011 – November 2014.
Cold-setting adhesive resins for wood reconstituted construction elements. Innova Chile: 11IDL2-10507. Together with Marcus y Cia. Ltda. and Lamitec Ltda. December 2011- December 2013.
Industrial application of vegetable tannins. Conicyt, International Cooperation. Together with Ibero-American Science and Technology Program for Development, CYTED. January 2006 – december 2009.
Technologies for the substitution of phenol for resins of industrial use. Fondef D05I10303, pre-competitive R&D. Together with Resinas del Bío Bío Ltda., Quipasur Ltda., Lousiana Pacific S.A., Paneles Río Itata II, I S.A. Diciembre 2006 – diciembre 2009.
Application of biotechnological and advanced chemical knowledge, to separate wood components. Innova Bío Bío, pre-competitive R&D. Together with EST Ltda., Oxiquim S.A. August 2007 – january 2010.
Evaluation of resveratrol content and other phenolic antioxidant components in berries of non-wood shrubs from forests of the south of Chile. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción. March 2008 – march 2010.
Development and evaluation of analytical methods for the determination of volatile compounds, organic acids and levoglucosan in bio-oil. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción. September 2008 – january 2010.
Use of wood-derived carbohydrates in the reduction of copper from dilute solutions and the obtaining of organic derivatives. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción. October 2008 – june 2010.
Wood delignification with nitric acid in an acetic medium. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. March 2009 – march 2010.
Selective oxidation of lignin with ozone in an acetic medium. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. March 2009 – september 2009 .
Obtaining and development of functional ingredients with anti-Helicobacter pylori properties from removable bark of Notophagus oblicua (Mirb.) Oerst (Hualle) and epicarp of the Persea americana var. Hass fruit. (Avocado). CCTE-UDT, I&D Interno. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. April 2009 – march 2010.
NSSC pulping kinetic study of E. globulus. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D.Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. August 2009 – march 2010.
Use of UF and NF membranes for the recovery of reagents and lignosulfonates in the NSSC process. CCTE-UDT, internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. August 2009 – march 2010 .
Development of commercial products from wheat straw. Fondef D08i1100, pre-competitive R&D. Together with Norske Skog S.A., Bioleche Ltda., Granotop S.A. June 2010 – december 2012.
Natural polymeric matrices/natural fibres composites. Conicyt, Support Program to the Joint International Research Cooperation ANR-Conicyt. Together with LERMAB – ENSTIB Universidad Henri Poincaré, Nancy 1, France. June 2010 – may 2013.
Manufacture and testing of particleboards. Technical Assistance. Together with Asesorías e Inversiones Camino Real SPA. July 2009 – october 2009.
NSSC pulping kinetic study of E. globulus. CCTE-UDT, Internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. August 2009 – march 2010.
Use of UF and NF membranes for the recovery of reagents and lignosulfonates in the NSSC process. CCTE-UDT, Internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. August 2009 – march 2010.
Obtaining of high performance semi-chemical pulps with sodium sulfite solutions from hardwoods. CCTE-UDT, Internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. August 2009 – july 2010.
Sampling of plywoods at Planta Arauco S. A. according to DIN. Together with Planta Paneles Arauco S. A. January 2010 – january 2010.
Obtaining of cellulose acetate from wheat straw pulp. CCTE-UDT, Internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. April 2010 to January 2011.
Obtaining of high added value products from radiata pine bark. Innova Bío Bío, pre-competitive R&D. Together with Resinas del Biobío S.A., Pesquera el Golfo S.A. Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción.April 2010 – may 2012.
An exploratory study of stilbenes in wine-growing wood waste and pine tall oil. CCTE-UDT, Internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción. June 2010 – May 2011.
Organosolv lignin as the basis of thermosetting resins in the production of plywoods. CCTE-UDT, Internal R&D. Together with Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción. October 2010 – march 2011.
Application of advanced biotechnological and chemical knowledge to isolate wood components. INNOVA BIO BIO 06-PC S1-50. July 2007 to january 2010.
Technology for obtainment and use of pine bark extracts. Together with Resinas del Bio Bio S.A. May 2006 to april 2007.
Development of engineered wood profiles by reactive extrusion process. Fondef D04 I1176. Together with Corza S.A., CMPC Maderas S.A. and Resinas del Bio Bio S.A. April 2005 to april 2008.
Dr. Cecilia Fuentealba, Head of Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1805
Lines of research:
- Wood technology.
- Commercially valuable chemical compounds from lignocellulosic biomass.
Prof. Dietrich von Baer, Principal Researcher, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 220 3749
Prof. Carola Vergara, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
Prof. Claudia Mardones, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
Dr. Danny E. García, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1835
Prof. José Becerra, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 220 7475
Prof. Miguel Angel Pereira, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1013
Dr. Andy Pérez, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
Dr. Claudia Pérez, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
Prof. Carolina Gómez, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
Prof. Edgar Pastene, Associate Researcher, Bioproducts Department
Felipe Guzmán, Project Engineer, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1903
Juan Cea, Project Engineer, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1839
José Fuentes, Ingeniero, Engineer, Head of Pilot Plants, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1863
Gabriel Galdames, Engineer, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1861
Camila San Martín, Chemical Analyst, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1822
Lines of work:
- Natural extracts: Obtaining and characterization.
Corina Silva, Chemical Analyst, Head of Bioproducts Laboratory
/ +56 41 266 1822
Lines of work:
- Head of Bioproducts Laboratory.
- Extraction and characterization of secondary metabolites.
- Elaboration and characterization of wooden boards.
- Production and characterization of microfibrils.
Jeniffer Cisternas, Chemical Analyst, Head of Forest Laboratory, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1823
Lines of work:
- Head of Forest Laboratory.
- Wood chemistry.
- Chemistry of natural products.
Sebastián Riquelme, Chemical Analyst, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1823
Lines of work:
- Identification and characterization of natural products by chromatographic techniques.
- Implementation of analytical protocols.
Jonathan Irribarra, Operator, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1863
Lines of work:
- Pilot extraction of natural products.
Sergio Sotomayor, Operator, Bioproducts Department
/ +56 41 266 1863