Chilean universities develop biotechnological solutions for waste valorization

Researchers in Chile are advancing biotechnological projects to transform industrial and domestic waste into high-value products.

At the Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (USM), a project funded by the Valparaíso Regional Government is designing Chile’s first pilot plant for the ecological treatment of textile waste. Led by researcher Marcela Carvajal, the initiative utilizes a bioproduct called ‘Goodbye Tex’—composed of microorganisms, fungi, and bacteria—to biodegrade various textile fibers. The project aims to move research from the laboratory to real-world applications, with prototypes planned for Casablanca and the National Customs Service to address the approximately 57,000 tons of textile waste generated in the region during 2025.

Simultaneously, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) is studying the potential of coffee grounds to prevent cognitive decline and promote digestive health. Led by the School of Biochemical Engineering, the study explores transforming coffee residue into functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals. Researchers are comparing two biotechnological routes: solid-substrate fermentation, which has a validated neuroprotective effect, and enzymatic extraction, which offers significantly faster processing times for potential industrial scaling.