INFOR Researchers Visit Brazil to Strengthen the Biofuels Sector in Biobío

One of the highlights of the itinerary has been exploring the technological advancements of UFLA, an institution that has developed predictive models based on techniques such as PLS (Partial Least Squares) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to analyze biomass and biofuel properties.

A team of researchers from the Forestry Institute (INFOR) is in Brazil participating in a technological tour as part of the FIC Biobío Bioenergy Environment Program, aiming to gain international experiences that will boost the development of the biofuels sector in the Biobío Region. This program is supported by the Regional Government and seeks to diversify energy sources, improve competitiveness, and foster new business opportunities in the area.

The tour, taking place between November 25 and 30, includes visits to the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) and the Federal University of Viçosa, both in the state of Minas Gerais. Among the participants are Karina Luengo, manager of the Biobío office and a researcher in the program, and Juan Carlos Pinilla, head of the Forest Biomass and Energy R&D Line at INFOR.

During this visit, coordinated with Professor Thiago De Paula Protásio, a Senior Professor at DCF/ESAL, Forest Products Technology and Utilization at UFLA, the researchers are holding meetings with authorities and academics, visiting specialized laboratories, and participating in technical seminars. In these sessions, INFOR has presented its advances in bioenergy and biofuels while also learning about Brazilian innovations in the field.

Technology and Innovation at the Service of Bioenergy

One of the highlights of the itinerary has been exploring the technological advancements of UFLA, an institution that has developed predictive models based on techniques such as PLS (Partial Least Squares) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to analyze biomass and biofuel properties. These studies are highly relevant to the FIC program, as they cover a wide range of publications related to the quality of products like pellets, charcoal, and wood chips.

On the first day of activities, the researchers participated in the event "Latin America Connection: Research, Development, and Innovation in the Brazilian and Chilean Forestry Sector," organized by UFLA. During the event, Karina Luengo delivered a presentation titled "The Chilean Forestry Sector and the Work of the Forestry Institute," while Juan Carlos Pinilla spoke on "The Contribution of the Forestry Sector to Bioenergy and Biofuels in Chile: Current Situation and Challenges."

International Collaboration and New Learnings

The INFOR delegation also had the opportunity to visit UFLA's laboratories specializing in genetic improvement, biofuel characterization, and the use of wood in high-value-added products. Among the most relevant activities were a demonstration of laboratory-scale pellet production using different types of biomass and training in the application of NIR (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) technology for pellet classification.

This knowledge exchange will enable INFOR to implement new practices in the development of energy products derived from forest biomass, contributing to strengthening the biofuels sector in Biobío and advancing toward a more diversified and sustainable energy matrix.

The technical tour not only strengthens collaboration ties between Chile and Brazil but also positions the Biobío Region as a benchmark for innovation and development in bioenergy in Latin America.