Eleven projects from different sectors and regions across Chile were honored at the 2025 edition of the Sustainable Initiatives Awards. The awards spanned categories including Nature and Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Innovation, Sustainable Communities, Decarbonization, and Clean Energy.
In the Nature and Biodiversity category, the Valdivia-based shipyard Asenav stood out with the Magellan Discoverer project. It is the first hybrid-electric cruise ship in the Americas, designed to operate in Antarctica with zero CO2 emissions and reduced underwater noise.
“We are working toward decentralization by seeking new projects to retain our specialized workforce,” said Germán Schacht, Commercial Manager at Asenav Shipyards.
In the SME segment, the company Biocambio won for its use of probiotics to protect salmon health without the use of chemicals. Meanwhile, a partnership between the University of Chile and the Coquimbo Regional Productive Development Corporation took home the award for Tecnosuelos, a technology designed to remediate soil contaminated by mining tailings.
Innovation in energy and the circular economy
In the Decarbonization and Clean Energy category, Lipigas was recognized for its LNG and BioLNG Green Corridor, a transport route between Peru and Chile aimed at reducing particulate matter emissions.
“This is a new opportunity to decarbonize transport, allowing it to become carbon neutral at competitive costs,” noted Nicolás Hidalgo, Deputy Manager of the company.
The Yaku SpA initiative was also recognized in this category. The community laundry located in San Joaquín has successfully reused more than 53,000 liters of water for irrigating green spaces.
“At Yaku, we promote the growing involvement of both public and private entities in taking concrete actions to mitigate water scarcity,” stated Valentina Veloso Giménez, CEO of the organization.
In the Circular Economy and Innovation category, Soprole led the large enterprise group with its “Sonrisa Circular” (Circular Smile) program, which has recovered more than 100 million containers made of various materials.
“This program allows us to recycle significant amounts of our own plastics as well as those from our competitors,” said Daniela Hott, Corporate Affairs Manager at the company.
The startup Magia y Cartón won in the SME section by offering recyclable cardboard games as an alternative to plastic. Its founder, Trinidad Jove, noted that innovation does not rely exclusively on technology or artificial intelligence.
Finally, the partnership between PepsiCo and Kyklos was awarded for the “Vivamos Circular” (Let's Live Circularly) project, which focuses on the recovery of flexible plastics and PET bottles through public-private collaboration.