Performance Agreement to Support Innovationin Higher Education

Science, Technology and Innovationfor the Bioeconomy

Program funded by MECESUP - Ministry of Education

• Chile• The Bio-Bio region• Universidad de Concepcion• The Bioeconomy Programme• Biomass in Chile• Some R&D capabilities

Topics

The country

Chile4,300 km long from north to south

Concepción

Modified from CIA World Factbook 2015.

Distribution of Chilean Exports

Chile

The Bio-Bio Region

Bio Bio Region

2 million inhabitants37,000 sq. kilometresCapital city: Concepción (ProChile, 2013).

Bio Bio Region

Chile´s most industrialised regionHome of traditional manufacturing

SteelCoal

Textiles

PotteryL. America´s 2nd hydroelectric power plant

Bio Bio Region

Birthplace of rock music in Chie, with a vibrant cultural scene. We also enjoy football.

Export distribution of the region of Bío-Bío

Source: http://inebiobio.cl

Bio Bio Region

Forestry70%

Manufacturing11%

Fishery10%

Agriculture & Farming 7%

Other exports2%

Universidad de Concepción

Universidad de ConcepciónCurrently ranks 17th in Latin America (QS

2015)

4th in the country

1st outside the capital region

The university has 3 campuses

in Concepción, Chillán

and Los Ángeles.

Undergraduate courses• 24.140 students • 91 careers

Postgrade courses• 2.180 Students in Masters and Doctoral

level programs• 58 Master Programs• 28 Doctoral Programs

Faculties (19)

Centers (10)

CB (Center of Biotechnology) UDT (Technological Development Unit)

Universidad de ConcepciónCenter of Biotechnology

• Conducts research in Biotechnology Renewable Resources

• Mission: To promote and participate in the development and use of biotechnology as a social and economical tool for Chile.

• Surface area: 3,000 m2 (35,800 ft2).

• Human capital:• 27 PhD.• 8 administrative staff.• 26 technicians.• 90 undergraduate and graduate

students.

Universidad de Concepción Technological Development Unit

• Center for R & D + i in forest biorefineries.

• Mission: To contribute to the development of Chile through the creation of scientific knowledge and technological innovations in the field of forest biorefinery.

• Surface area: 5,557 m2 (59,815 ft2).

• Human capital:• 6 main researchers.• 21 associate researchers.• 91 professionals and technicians.

The Bioeconomy Programme

ChileEvolution of Competitiveness ranking

Source: 2015, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez according to WEF data.

Biomass in Chile

ChileForestry sector

2.39 million hectares of forest plantations, mainly Pine (P. radiata 1,481 ha) and Eucalyptus (E. globulus 523.530 ha. ; and E. nitens 216,830 ha.) (INFOR, 2011).

ChileForestry sector

Source: INFOR, MINE.

Industrial production

Industrial production (x 1000) 2012 

Chemical pulp (ton) 4.632

Mechanical pulp(ton) 449

Firewood (m3 ssc) 9.799

Timberwood (m3) 7.160

Boards and panels (m3) 2.619

Wood and Biomass [Tera Joule] 371.695

 

* Firewood and biomass corresponds to 28% of total primary energy in the country.

ChileAgricultural Sector

In 2012-13, cultivated area for crops reached 734,554 hectares. Fruit crops area reached 300,061 hectares (PASO, 2012).

VALUE PYRAMID IN THE BIOECONOMY

• New products and materials.

• Fossil fuels replacement.

• Job creation and regional development.

• Energy security.

• Reduction of carbon footprint.

• Positive perception by society.

BiofuelsENERGY

New materialsPOLYMERS

NutraceuticalsMEDICINE

Chemical productsFINE CHEMISTRY

AD

DED

VA

LUE

VOLU

ME

Why Bioeconomy?

Biomass

• To position the University of Concepcion as a global leader

in bioeconomy-based innovation by strengthening its

scientific, technological, managerial and technology transfer

related capabilities, through collaborative networks with

public and private organisations, in Chile and abroad.

Performance AgreementMain Objective

Appendixes

Desired property

Environmental properties

Physical / mechanical properties

High value compounds /

chemicals

Biomass component

Cellulose

Biomass sourceDev. Platform

Nanofibers

Nanocrystals Forest

Forest / Agricultural

residues

Microalgae

Macroalgae

Functional polymers Hemicellulose

Fuels

Fine chemicals

Lignin

Nutraceuticals

Construction materials

Thickeners

Packaging

Extractables

Nanoparticles

Foams

Hidrogels

Biological properties

Energetic properties

Potential applications Usability

Biodegradability

New / Improved materials

Hydrophobic / phyllic

Biocidal

Health / Wellness

Microemulsions

Mineral processing

Pharmaceuticals

Cosmetics

Biorremediation / filters

Adsorption /Absorption

Direct combustion

Electrochemistry

Biofuels

Solar panels

Functional foods

“Niche materials”

R&D Capabilities (work in progress)

Technology TransferBusiness Case: Licensing

Problem / opportunity addressed

• The phenol formaldehyde resins are massively used as an adhesive in the manufacture of OSB (Oriented Strand Board) and plywood. 

• These resins are toxic and harmful to health, and the price rises steadily, in the case of phenol.

R & D results

• Conceptual and basic engineering of discontinuous industrial plant. • Demonstrative methanolic and aqueous extractions at laboratory and pilot plant

scale• Characterization of bark and extracts.• Resin formulations for next generation application as adhesives for wood panels.• National patents registration number 46359 (2010) and 48761 (2012).

 

Extraction of pine bark polyphenols

Technology TransferBusiness Case: Licensing

Market• In Chile the production of OSB board and plywood is 250,000

m³ / year and 1,200,000 m³ / year, respectively (INFOR, 2010), generating a phenol-formaldehyde adhesive resins requirement of about 23,000 ton / year.

• The global market of phenol-formaldehyde has a compound annual growth rate equal to 12.1%, projected to reach 16 million tonnes by 2016 (Reportlinker, 2012).

Technology Transfer Model • Development of technology package for licensing to companies

interested in implementing the technology.• Licensing of technology in Chile and then to other market for

which samples of foreign forest species are being tested.

(IHS Chemical, 2011)http://www.ihs.com/products/chemical/planning/ceh/

phenolic-resins.aspx

World Consumption of Phenolic Resins 2010

Extraction of pine bark polyphenols

Problem / opportunity addressed• Plant organism transplantation causes significant loss of

plant biomass (1.25 [m³ / ha, on average for pine and eucalyptus plantations).

• Death of plants varies between 4% and 6% for forest tree species.

R & D results • R & D Project: Development of a compound for the

manufacture of biodegradable containers (forest cells).• Cell design validated for Pinus radiata, pellets of the

biodegradable material and operational parameters for the injection of the material.

• National patent application (02849-2007).

Technology TransferBusiness Case: Spin off

Biodegradable plastics

Market• In Chile there are over 2 million hectares for forest plantation (pine and

eucalyptus) (INFOR, CORMA, 2011). In USA, China and Canada there are over 40 million hectares, especially for forest plantations (FAO, 2011).

• The annual demand for cells in Chile is close to 20 million units, while in Canada and Brazil, the demand greatly exceeds 250 and 80 million units annually (Forest Enterprise, 2012).

Technology Transfer Model • Creation of “Plastic Projects LLC” Spin Off and licensing of

biodegradable material for cell manufacturing.• Business contacts and delivery of samples to nurseries in Brazil to

conduct tests in eucalyptus.

Technology TransferBusiness Case: Spin off

Biodegradable plastics

Technology TransferBusiness Case: Consortium

Problem / opportunity addressed• Fouling present in plastic nets used for salmon

farming causes high stress in fish, affecting production.

• The use of copper mesh in salmon farming in Chile improves productivity, health aspects and operations in the culture sites.

R & D results• R & D Project: Development of copper circular alloy

cages, submersibles, more productive, and eco-friendly.

Salmon cages

Technology TransferConsorcio

Market• In Chile there are 726 centers in lakes and sea water

(SalmonChile, 2013).• The antifouling market is $ 20 million USD. Annual

approximately (Quipasur, 2013).• It is estimated that the potential market for this type of

system will mean increase in the worldwide copper demand of over 300 thousand tons per year (Codelco, 2012).

Technology Transfer Model • Creating "EcoSea" Technology Consortium led by the

University of Concepción, with Codelco, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile Foundation and Sitecna.

Salmon cagesBusiness Case: Consortium

Energy products

Densification of low value residual biomass into biofuels

High value products from bio-oil

Gasification: TRL 2HTC: TRL 4

Organic acids: TRL 4

2nd generation liquid biofuelsBioethanol: TRL 5Biodiesel: TRL 5

Pelletization: TRL 7Torrefaction: TRL 6Flash pyrolysis: TRL 6

Research lines and examples of technologies (1/4)

Bio based materials

Composite materials: nano-scale barrier compounds

Composite materials: Wood-plastic compounds

PP + nanoclay: TRL 8PET + nanoclay: TRL 5Rubber recycling: TRL 2

Composite materials: anti-bacterial nano-scale compounds Nano-copper + PVC : TRL 5Nano-copper + filaments: TRL 6

Injected: TRL 8Extruded: TRL 8

Biodegradable materialsFilms: TRL 7Flexible Packaging: TRL 7Containers: TRL 8Algae-based plastics: TRL 6Manufactured seed: 2

Research lines and examples of technologies (2/4)

Environmental technologies

Valorization of waste from pulp industry

Valorization of waste from energy industry Biomass ashes for soil treatment: TRL 7Applications of coal ashes: TRL 1

Dregs & Grits for residual water treatment: TRL 4D&G for soil enhancement: TRL 7Sludge for soil enhancement: TRL: 6

Moss-based pollutant monitoring Moss bag technique for air and water purification : TRL 1

Research lines and examples of technologies (3/4)

Green chemistry

Bark polyphenols

Cellulosic derivatives

Tannin-based adhesive: TRL 7Continous extraction of tannins: TRL 6

Extraction of lignin Organosolv lignin: TRL 5Lignin-based adhesives: TRL 4

Fiber-resin combinations: TRL 5Microfibrillated cellulose: TRL 6Cellulose nanocrystals: TRL 2Wood thermal treatments: TRL 4Fast Wood petrification: TRL 8

Fine chemicalsLignocellulosic acetilation: TRL 5Antioxidants from residues: TRL 5Oils for nutraceuticals: TRL 6Turpentines for pharmaceuticals: TRL 7

Research lines and examples of technologies (4/4)

Program funded by MECESUP - Ministry of Education

Performance Agreement to Support Innovationin Higher Education

Science, Technology and Innovationfor the Bioeconomy