A consortium led by Universidad San Sebastián has been selected to develop the Technological Center for Circular Economy in the Los Lagos Region. The project, supported by Corfo and the Regional Government of Los Lagos, involves a total public-private investment of $17.609 billion pesos. Of this amount, $9.7 billion will come from the Sustainable Productive Development Program (DPS) through Corfo and the regional government, while consortium members will contribute $7.909 billion.
The center’s main goal is to establish technological infrastructure, train specialized human capital, and offer a range of technological services to companies aiming to transition toward circular economy models with high market potential.
This initiative is part of the Sustainable Productive Development Program (DPS), which is led by the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism along with Corfo and co-financed by the Regional Government.
Álvaro García, Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism and Energy, stated: “With the awarding of this Center we seek to strengthen industrialization processes and applied circular economy by generating new productive linkages in southern Chile. In this way we support key sectors for the region such as aquaculture, agri-foods, construction among others, with the aim of positioning Los Lagos as a benchmark for high-standard technological solutions and services in circular economy for the country.”
He added: “With initiatives like this one, the government is promoting increased productivity among companies to boost growth and create new quality jobs. Competitiveness and innovation processes in businesses will also be enhanced, allowing greater technological sophistication in production structures. All this materializes through an unprecedented alliance between regional funds and central government towards common objectives with the Regional Government.”
José Miguel Benavente, executive vice president of Corfo said: “We are very pleased because this joint effort with GORE seeks to generate decentralized capacities in Chile by promoting technology projects, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation while providing technical advice and specialized services to companies and entrepreneurs in their regions—for example contract R&D work, piloting solutions validation as well as training programs—to give more people better job opportunities.”
The winning proposal brings together universities including Universidad Austral de Chile; Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María; Universidad Santo Tomás; Corporación Centro de Formación Técnica Santo Tomás; Corporación Instituto Profesional Santo Tomás; Fundación Instituto Profesional Duoc UC; alongside co-executors NIVA Chile S.A., SOFOFA Hub; UC Davis Chile Life Sciences Innovation Center; Unidad de Desarrollo Tecnológico at Universidad de Concepción. Associated organizations include Feria de Osorno; Suralis; Puerto Montt Chamber of Commerce Industry Services & Tourism A.G.; AmiChile; Remap; Municipality of Puerto Montt; Mowi Chile; Genera4; Association of Milk Producers Osorno AG.; Salmones Blumar.
The center aims to provide infrastructure and equipment for developing solutions based on circular economy models—addressing gaps related to waste prevention strategies such as repair remanufacturing reuse recycling or final disposal—in order to move toward a more sustainable economic model for Los Lagos.
Alejandro Santana, Governor of Los Lagos Region commented: “Our region has a strong productive vocation linked mainly to aquaculture & agricultural activities that need higher environmental management standards so this Center we have supported as Regional Government meets growing needs among businesses looking to consolidate markets.”
He emphasized: “This public-private partnership involving Corfo businesses leading universities & tech centers aims precisely at driving circularity—a response not only enhancing sustainability but also increasing value creation from waste valorization across products & services offered locally.”
Over ten years it is expected that more than 1,000 technology services will be delivered to companies/entrepreneurs about 1,000 people trained at least 25 pilot projects conducted.
The center will operate out of two physical locations—the La Laja Campus (Osorno) offering laboratories/offices within existing university facilities (3,000 m²), plus Arena Puerto Montt (2,500 m²) hosting prototyping labs training rooms pilot plants—and will feature a digital platform integrating regional services training indicators collaboration networks.
Key focus areas include certified technical training programs on circular economy skills applied innovation pilots targeting waste prevention/valorization/tracing across aquaculture agroindustry construction tourism sectors plus collaborative ecosystem/public goods provision—such as Regional Circularity Observatory material flow intelligence system digital marketplace for waste/subproducts.
