| dc.description | The Technological Development Unit (UDT) of the Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), created in 1996, dedicated to study of chemical, physical and thermal transformations of biomass. We do so by developing a close relationship with the productive sector and scaling promising technologies towards an industrial level. These attributes make us a unique R+D center in Chile, which combines cutting-edge scientific research with technological projects that have commercial potential.
The UDT depends on the Vice-Rectory for Research and Development of UdeC, it has specialized personnel, mostly with exclusive dedication and a complete process scaling infrastructure. Its infrastructure amounts to 5,557 square meters, which houses many laboratories, pilot equipment and demonstration plants. Since 2008, the UDT has been recognized as a Scientific and Technological Center of Excellence by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT), a condition that has allowed us to develop new knowledge in our four thematic departments, under the concept of "biorefineries": Biomaterials, Bioenergy, Bioproducts and Environment and Services. We also have a Technology Management Department, whose responsibility is the intellectual protection of R+D results, knowledge transfer and, more
generally, the promotion of close interaction with the productive sector.
The UDT's scope of action encompasses forest and agricultural biorefineries i. e., a set of biomass conversion processes that allow us to obtain intermediate products, which can then be transformed into final products of commercial interest; these include plastic materials, vehicular and industrial fuels, fibers and fine chemicals. The economic sphere
that seeks to substitute fossil raw materials for sustainably generated biomass is known as the "bioeconomy". The activities and challenges of the UDT during the period June 2017 - April 2018 were
strongly influenced by the continuation of the Basal Project funding after ten years of execution. Although we continued with our usual activities in science, technology and innovation, an important part of the work of the executive staff was focused on the preparation of the Continuity Project (delivered on September 27, 2017) and its presentation before the International Panel (October 18, 2017). Several scenarios were defined under which the activities of the UDT could continue in the event that the Basal Project was approved or rejected. Given that our revenues from this source amounted to 30% in 2017, the availability of these resources have a drastic and profound effect on the future of the UDT. On February 13, 2018 CONICYT informed us about the awarding of the new Basal Project, whose execution would begin on May 1, 2018. This brought us great satisfaction, but also new challenges. Previously, we had already taken actions to embark on this new phase. In this context, strengthening of our scientific expertise as well as the transfer of technology to the market can be highlighted as our main focus. The most relevant aspects related to the activities and results obtained during the period June 1, 2017 - April 30, 2018 are detailed below. | |
