Innovation
We aspire to lead the way in the search for sustainable and innovative solutions that increase the well-being of people and the competitiveness of the company, modernizing the way it operates and bringing science and technology closer together.
To that end, we are actively exploring circular bioeconomy opportunities that will allow us to maximize the value of our raw material by utilizing lignin, nanocellulose, and biocomposites, among others, as well as the recovery of side streams of the production process, including tall oil, methanol, hydrogen and others.
Innovation focus areas
| 1. Strengthening innovation skills and processes | 2. Innovative product development by subsidiaries | 3. Commitment to the circular bioeconomy | 4. Continue on the road towards digital transformation | 5. Engage with the ecosystem to boost innovation |
- Evaluating the technical and economic viability of the use of nanocellulose for reinforcing papers and board. In addition, the R&D Center is researching other potential uses for it.
- Prioritizing the consumption of renewable energy over energy from fossil fuels and the use of recycled paper over virgin fiber in order to reduce emissions and the use of resources such as water, energy and timber.
- Transforming the production process. This has already been implemented by our Softys Colombia facility in Gachancipa, where 100% of the paper sludge is reprocessed and used for brick manufacturing, thus reducing the use of clay and the weight of bricks.
In addition, our production facilities have systems for managing paper, board, wire, plastic and other waste materials that can be reused or recycled. The Guaiba pulp mill, for example, recycles 99.7% of its waste from the pulp production process.
Some other cases include:
- Optimizing product distribution by hiring transport with more efficient fuel use and prioritizing more efficient means of transport such as trains and barges over trucks.
- Manufacture and sale of products made with 100% recycled fiber for the packaging, transportation and display of sanitary, agricultural and other products.
- Fibras (a subsidiary of Biopackaging Corrugated) is responsible for the recovery of paper and board from a variety of sources and their transportation to CMPC facilities where these recycled fibers can be used instead of virgin fiber.
Main innovation initiatives
| 2018 | |
| *Office building in Los Angeles, Chile | First Office Building in Chile and 4th in South America to be certified for the use of wood and operating efficiency. |
| Biomass ash used in forest plantations and agricultural land | In 2018, 2,000 metric tons of ash were used to fertilize forest plantations and agricultural land. |
| Salmon EcoBox | A box that is 100% recyclable and made of recycled paper and pulp from FSC certified plantations for the long-distance transportation of salmon, replacing the traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS) containers, derived from petroleum. |
| Elite Professional Bioactive | Toilet tissue for public restrooms with high levels of foot traffic (shopping centers, office buildings, hotels and public transportation), which disintegrates when it comes in contact with water by activating bioactive microparticles, which start multiplying and driving the process of decomposition. |
| 2019 | |
| Soft Touch Technology | Technology used in the Elite brand toilet tissue products, which at the same time adds softness and resistance to the paper. |
| Stone fruit insert tray | A molded pulp tray that replaces the polypropylene insert trays currently used for the protection of stone fruit (mainly peaches, nectarines, and plums) during transport. |
| New seedling trays | The new trays represent a circular solution as they can decompose directly where left in the ground after having been used for about a year with the same ability to withstand nursery conditions (humidity, irrigation, and weather) as the old plastic ones. |
| Startup Day
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First open innovation challenge attracted 189 participating startups from 18 countries to offer their disruptive solutions for the circular economy and digital transformation at CMPC. Three ideas were chosen to participate in a pilot project together with the company. |
| Softys Innovation Challenge
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A regional competition for innovative ideas by employees which received over 1,000 submissions with the goal of developing new products, improving the performance of new and existing ones, differentiating the company and reducing costs. |
| Softys Water Challenge | An innovation contest for entrepreneurs and startups to explore and propose water-related solutions. The goal of its first edition (2019-2020) is to improve access to this resource for communities that do not have it. |
| Partnership with the University of Concepción | In celebration of the 100 years in existence of both organizations, the two signed a collaboration agreement to promote innovation, the bioeconomy, culture and entrepreneurship for sustainable development in the next 100 years. |
| *CMPC Celulosa´s Corporate Building in Los Angeles, Chile achieved the LEED SILVER certification given by the Green Building Rating System, established by the US Green Building Council |