On January 6, the Technological Development Unit (UDT) participated in the VI #EncuentroPTEC2025 of Corfo, held on its premises, through two Technological Programs: Biochar Chile and Valoriza MáS. The event was attended by the Minister of Economy, Nicolás Grau, and the VPE of Corfo, José Miguel Benavente, who highlighted the importance of these consortia for sustainable productive development, promoting R&D and technology transfer in Chile.
Biochar Chile, led by Dr. Cristina Segura, completed one year of execution, advancing in its objective of scaling up a thermochemical conversion technology of agricultural biomass and post-consumer plastics generated in the agricultural activity, with the purpose of obtaining intermediate products that allow the development of materials for agricultural use and protective additives for paint formulation. This technological solution will contribute to the integral and efficient valorization of waste, to the storage of carbon in the soil through the use of biochar, to the implementation of circular economy practices and to the increase in the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. For its part, Valoriza MáS, represented by its Director, Carla Pérez Quilodrán, and Alternate Director, Dr. Juan Carlos Carrasco-Moraga, is initiating its activities focused on the scaling and implementation of technologies that promote the circular economy in the manufacturing industry and service companies.
During the meeting, the significant contributions of these programs and technological consortiums were highlighted, which have led to a total investment of USD 150 million, with a “private leverage of 1 to 6”, according to Benavente. Minister Grau, in turn, emphasized the need to “increase the speed of growth and productivity” and orient investment towards sustainability.