INFOR strengthens capacities in forest biomass and biofuels through international training in Brazil

With the aim of further strengthening the country's technical and scientific capacities in the field of forest biomass and energy, researchers from the Forest Institute (INFOR) began a training tour at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), in Brazil, one of the reference institutions in forest research and biofuels in Latin America.

The initiative is developed within the framework of the Research and Development projects of INFOR's Forest Biomass and Energy Line, and includes the participation of researchers from the Biobío Headquarters, Felipe Navarrete and Joaquín García, who will learn first-hand about the advances developed by the School of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Forest Sciences at UFLA in matters related to the production and quality characterization of pellets made from different types of biomass, as well as the use of near-infrared (NIR) technology for biomass analysis and evaluation.

The tour includes visits to specialized laboratories, tours of experimental forests, and working meetings with Brazilian research teams led by academics Dr. Thiago De Paula Protásio and Dr. Paulo Hein, internationally recognized for their contributions to the development of solid biofuels and technologies applied to the forest sector.

INFOR's Executive Director, Gabriel Valenzuela, highlighted the importance of such instances for institutional strengthening and the development of the national forest sector.

"The generation of knowledge and the ongoing training of our researchers are fundamental to responding to the challenges facing the forest and energy sector. This training will allow us to incorporate new methodologies, technologies, and international experiences that will strengthen INFOR's capacities and contribute to the development of innovative solutions for the sustainable use of forest biomass and the production of biofuels in Chile," he stated.

For his part, the head of INFOR's Forest Biomass and Energy Research Line, Juan Carlos Pinilla, explained that collaboration with the Federal University of Lavras will provide access to cutting-edge knowledge in strategic areas for the development of renewable energies based on forest biomass in the country.

"This tour represents a valuable opportunity to learn about advanced experiences in pellet production and characterization, as well as in the use of technological tools such as near-infrared spectroscopy. The exchange of knowledge with internationally prestigious researchers will allow us to strengthen our research lines and continue contributing to the development of quality biofuels for the country," he indicated.

The activity is part of the ARP-PELLET ID25I10194 projects, funded with support from ANID FONDEF, and CORFO Fortalecimiento ITP 24ITP-I-273120, initiatives that seek to boost applied research, innovation, and technology transfer in the field of forest biomass and energy.

With this international participation, INFOR reaffirms its commitment to the generation of scientific knowledge, capacity building, and the promotion of sustainable energy alternatives that contribute to the development of the forest sector and the transition towards a cleaner and more efficient energy matrix.