Santiago Biofactory

SANTIAGO BIOFACTORY / AGUAS ANDINAS
 World’s First Wastewater Biofactory

 Chile’s largest water utility company in partnership with SUEZ
Note: SUEZ is a utility company which operates largely in in the water and waste management
sectors. It helps local authorities rise to the challenge of managing resources more sustainably
and smarter
 100% wastewater treatment of Mapocho River
 Composed of three wastewater treatments plants which serves three different functions:
producing clean water, converting clean energy, and producing bio-fertilizer.
Problem
- Chile is a long, narrow country stretching along South America's western edge, with more
than 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline. Santiago, also known as Santiago de Chile, is the
capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas.
- In most countries in Latin America, it is also a common practice to discharge raw sewage
into lakes, rivers and streams without proper treatment, which presents serious challenges
for households that are located along these bodies of water, and also places that rely on
them for drinking water. (https://www.humanium.org/en/latin-americas-water-pollution-
crisis-and-its-effects-on-childrens-health/#:~:text=In%20most%20countries%20in
%20Latin,water%20(Schady%2C%202015).
- Mapocho River is a tributary river of Maipo River, Chile’s main river flowing through the
Santiago Metropolitan Region and the Valparaíso Region. The Mapocho remains
contaminated by household, agricultural and industrial sewage, and by upstream copper-
mining waste (from the several copper mines in the Andes, east of Santiago), being dumped
unfiltered into the river.
- In 2005, Santiago was only treating 3.6% of its wastewater. The remaining, untreated water
and resulting sewer sludge flowed freely into the Mapocho river, a 110-km river that divides
Santiago in two. The Mapocho river is an important source of irrigation and potable water
for the region. Enteric diseases used to be common because the region’s agricultural areas
were irrigated with the polluted river water. (https://unfccc.int/climate-action/un-global-
climate-action-awards/planetary-health/santiago-biofactory-chile)
Solution
Aguas Andinas decided to use the circular economy model to eliminate waste, fossil energy and
pollution from its wastewater treatment processes. The circular economy model aims to keep resources
in use for as long as possible. (https://unfccc.int/climate-action/un-global-climate-action-awards/
planetary-health/santiago-biofactory-chile)
 Circular Economy Model

- The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing,
leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long
as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. In practice, it implies reducing
waste to a minimum.
(https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/economy/20151201STO05603/
circular-economy-definition-importance-and-benefits#:~:text=The%20circular%20economy
%20is%20a,reducing%20waste%20to%20a%20minimum.)
Timeline: https://www.aguasandinasinversionistas.cl/en/about-us/history/our-history
Santiago Biofactory was launched in 2017 to pioneer innovative circular wastewater treatment solutions
in Santiago and to push the boundaries of human health and environment preservation standards in the
sector. The biofactory is transforming Santiago’s three wastewater treatment plants into "biofactories”
that convert wastewater and sewer sludge, a wastewater treatment by-product, into clean energy. All
three treatment plants will be zero waste, energy self-sufficient, and carbon neutral by 2022.
Operation: https://www.aguasandinasinversionistas.cl/en/our-business/our-operations
Contribution of Santiago Biofactory to SDG 13
 Waste Reduction
- Biotechnological procedures at the facility result in reduced waste output and promote the
use of waste materials in bio-based production, which further reduces environmental
impact
 Clean Energy Conversion
- Fossil Fuels are energy sources which significantly contributes to climate change. Santiago
Biofactory helps reduce dependency on fossil fuels by generating biofuels and clean-
alternative energy sources.
 Sustainable Agriculture
- Santiago Biofactory help farmers reduce chemical inputs, water usage, and environmental
impact while improving crop yields and food security.
 Sustainable Production
- It employs processes that can 100% treat wastewater using green technologies. The
optimization of resources efficiently produces bio-based products, which has lower
greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, Santiago Biofactory's commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, as well as its
biotechnology research, contributes to climate change mitigation by lowering greenhouse gasses
emissions and supporting climate-resilient solutions.
Additional Information:
 This project is recognized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) - United Nations entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of
climate change.
 Although many governments have already included references to their waste and water
management policies in their current Nationally Determined Contributions, SUEZ welcomes
clearer and more specific policies as part of the Caring for Climate initiative.
 The three plants produce 49GWh of electricity and 177GWh of natural gas annually, enough for
the consumption of 50,000 and 22,500 inhabitants respectively.
 Over 137,000 tonnes of biosolids from the wastewater treatment plants are reused as fertilizer
for agricultural purposes
Summarized Key Points for the Santiago Biofactory:
 Location: The Santiago Biofactory is located in the Santiago metropolitan region of Chile. It is
strategically positioned to treat and manage wastewater generated by the urban population.
 Wastewater Treatment: The Biofactory plays a crucial role in treating wastewater from the
Santiago metropolitan area. This involves the removal of pollutants, contaminants, and harmful
substances from sewage water before it is released back into the environment.
 Environmental Impact: One of the primary goals of the Biofactory is to minimize the
environmental impact of wastewater discharge. Proper treatment helps reduce pollution in
rivers and other water bodies, which is essential for maintaining the ecological balance in the
region.
 Sustainable Practices: Aguas Andinas is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly

practices. The Santiago Biofactory likely incorporates state-of-the-art technology and innovative
methods to ensure efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment.
 Research and Innovation: Facilities like the Santiago Biofactory often engage in research and
development to improve wastewater treatment processes, minimize energy consumption, and
reduce their carbon footprint.
 Community Engagement: Companies like Aguas Andinas typically engage with local communities
to raise awareness about the importance of responsible water use, conservation, and
environmental protection.

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SANTIAGO BIOFACTORY / AGUAS ANDINAS

 World’s First Wastewater Biofactory

 Circular Economy Model

Contribution of Santiago Biofactory to SDG 13

Summarized Key Points for the Santiago Biofactory:

 Sustainable Practices: Aguas Andinas is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly

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