Projects

Biofuels General description

ENAP is investigating the feasibility of producing second generation fuels in Chile through two entities in which it a partner: ForEnergy and Biocomsa.

Both consortia were given a period of 5 years to present technological solutions based on forestry biomass for reaching high levels of impact in obtaining latest-generation biofuels through the adoption, transfer and commercialization of their results.

Biocomsa is a consortium formed in 2008 by the subsidiary of ENAP, Enap Refinerías S.A., Consorcio Maderero and Universidad de Chile. Its objective is to seek technical and scientific solutions in the bio-energy area in Chile, orienting its work to research and development for later sale to companies requiring these technologies.

The project began under the wing of Innova Chile and eight lines of research have been set. Each sub-project has products, objectives and targets that have been presented and approved by Innova Chile. At the same time, the technological consortium should be proposing and implementing new lines of work and products that ensure their viability. That is the idea of the technological consortia.

Experience, resources and knowledge are shared in this consortium in order to create value through applied research. In fact, Universidad de Chile has a broad experience in the area of forestry research and processes oriented to the generation of energy from lingo-cellulose material.

The essential objective of Biocomsa is applied research and it is not intended to be a productive entity.

ForEnergy was formed in 2007. It is dedicated to the production of second generation biodiesel from forestry biomass and to seeking for business opportunities.

Second generation biodiesel, due to its intrinsic properties is considered as a hydrocarbon and can be used in any percentage mix with fossil-fuel sourced diesel. If it were economically viable therefore, which among other things is going to be covered by the investigations to take place, it is possible to imagine in the future that second-generation biodiesel will become a relevant component of Chile’s energy matrix.