Franco Cariqueo and Constanza Soto, students at the University of Bio Bio, lead a startup that transforms hazardous waste into sustainable fuel, addressing two environmental crises in southern Chile.
Their venture, Calor y Brics, processes pine and eucalyptus pruning waste – highly flammable species – to produce compact briquettes.
This initiative aims to mitigate the risk of catastrophic forest fires and reduce household air pollution.
The forestry problem and its devastating impact
In the Bio Bio region, the forestry sector is a key economic pillar, but it is dominated by pine and eucalyptus monocultures that displace native forests.
Transforming forestry waste into briquettes[/caption>
Abandoned pruning waste creates ideal environments for fire spread. This risk was evidenced in 2023 when a fire ravaged 360,000 hectares, destroyed 1,400 homes, and claimed 25 lives.
Franco Cariqueo explains their solution: “The spread of the same fire can be reduced by up to 60% if this waste removal is done strategically… creating firebreaks.”
Air pollution: a silent killer
At the same time, the region faces a serious air quality crisis. Close to two million homes rely on slow combustion stoves, where damp firewood is often burned.
Constanza Soto warns: “Around 87% of particulate matter 2.5 emissions nationwide are due to the use of damp firewood at the household level.”
These emissions, particles suspended in the air, cause respiratory diseases that result in “over 2,000 premature deaths annually in Chile.”
The simple and accessible technology of briquettes transforming waste
The process by Calor and Brics eliminates the moisture from forestry residues through compaction and drying, achieving a 10% reduction in water compared to traditional firewood.
“It contains not a single chemical in between, nor a binder other than the natural lignin of the material itself,” highlights Soto. Their design ensures compatibility with existing stoves, unlike pellets that require constant electricity. “Many communities do not have stable access to electricity… our solution uses infrastructure already available,” emphasizes Cariqueo.
Chilean youth create this innovative product[/caption>
Cultural challenges and competitive advantages
Both acknowledge that changing entrenched habits will be complex. “Resistance to change will be one of our biggest issues… it’s part of their culture,” admits Soto.
However, they emphasize working to offer a fair price compared to traditional firewood, eliminating economic barriers. They target consumers who already prioritize sustainability: “There are people today choosing a different lifestyle, and we want to focus on them.”
Beyond the technical innovation, these young engineers have become educational role models at their university. Their model shows that strategically managing forestry waste can simultaneously protect ecosystems, save lives, and clean the air breathed by millions of Chileans.
