Technological Challenges (RFI)
Segundo llamado de innovación abierta
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE
2026
General Objective
The objective of this process, structured as a Request for Information (RFI), is to gather technical data, capabilities, and expressions of interest from the ecosystem. The purpose is to identify technological profiles and solutions that can be developed jointly with the ITL to address specific industrial innovation challenges, in accordance with the call guidelines.
Aimed at
National or international legal entities willing to provide information regarding their technological capabilities, solutions, or ongoing development initiatives.
CONVOCATORIA CERRADA
RFI Submission Period
June 15, 2026, 09:00 AM
Application deadline
July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
Challenges
A01 / Valorization of Industrial Effluents: Towards Minimization of Liquid Discharges and the Circular Economy
Challenge Description
The challenge seeks the development and validation of technological solutions for the treatment of brines from desalination and industrial saline streams, with the aim of recovering water and valuable by-products and reducing their environmental impact. Proposals are expected to integrate advanced process configurations such as membrane systems, crystallization, or other emerging technologies that enable progress towards Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) schemes. Solutions must be evaluated through pilots under representative conditions, considering operational performance, process continuity, and industrial scaling potential, as well as their environmental and economic viability.
General Objective
To develop and validate technological solutions for brine treatment that enable the recovery of water and valuable by-products, advancing towards Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) schemes and ensuring operational continuity within the framework of the circular economy.
A02 / Cost-effective Solutions for Mitigating Evaporation Losses on Large Surfaces
Challenge Description
The challenge consists of developing and validating cost-effective solutions to reduce water losses due to evaporation on large surfaces such as ponds, leach pads, or deposits associated with mining operations. Technologies or design and operation strategies that reduce evaporation without compromising facility safety or stored water quality are sought. Proposals must consider their performance in different climatic contexts, including comparative pilots to assess effectiveness, implementation feasibility, and scaling potential in real operations.
General Objective
To develop and validate cost-effective solutions to reduce water losses due to evaporation on large surfaces, without affecting operational safety or water quality.
A03 / Energy Efficiency and Monitoring in Transport and Pumping Systems
Challenge Description
The challenge seeks to develop and validate technological solutions that improve the energy efficiency and reliability of water and tailings transport and pumping systems in mining. Innovations in hydraulic design, pumping technologies, control systems, and predictive monitoring that reduce energy consumption per unit of water transported and increase asset availability are prioritized. Solutions must be evaluated under representative operating conditions, considering their impact on operational cost reduction, equipment lifespan, and system stability.
General Objective
To develop and validate technological solutions that improve the energy efficiency and reliability of water and tailings pumping systems in mining.
A04 / Intelligent Water Management: From Digitalization to Real-Time Decision Making
Challenge Description
The challenge aims at the development and implementation of digitalization and advanced analytics solutions to optimize water cycle management in complex operations. Sensorization, data integration, modeling, and real-time control technologies are sought to improve operational decision-making and reduce gaps between data capture and field action. Proposals must consider interoperable data architectures (cybersecurity), simulation tools, and continuous monitoring, as well as their validation in operational environments demonstrating improvements in water efficiency, planning, and resource control.
General Objective
To develop digitalization, advanced analytics, and real-time monitoring solutions to optimize water cycle management and improve operational decision-making.
E01 / Development of Circular Economy Solutions for Solar and Wind Power Plant Waste
Challenge Description
Chile has positioned itself as a world leader in renewable generation, with more than 55 million photovoltaic modules installed since 2010. However, this rapid growth brings a silent crisis: by 2024, approximately 11,000 tons of waste from solar panels (glass, silicon, aluminum, copper, and precious metals such as silver and indium) are generated annually. Added to this are wind turbine blades (composed of fiberglass and non-biodegradable epoxy resins), towers, cooling systems, converters, and backup batteries. To date, there is limited specialized infrastructure for the valorization and recycling of waste, causing environmental damage and loss of component value. Additionally, since 2023, the REP Law requires solar and wind technology manufacturers and importers to organize and finance waste collection and valorization systems. Without viable technical solutions, companies face fines, trade barriers, and reputational risks.
General Objective
To design, technologically validate, and implement a circular economy management model for solar and wind power plant waste in Chile, enabling the valorization of annually generated waste, complying with the REP Law, reducing landfill disposal, and generating marketable and/or reusable by-products.
E02 / Sustainable and Resilient Energy Supply for Isolated Industries in Chile
Challenge Description
Isolated industries in Chile, such as small-scale mining, agro-industry, industrial fishing, astronomy, logistics operations, or tourism, mostly operate outside the limits of the National Electric System (SEN) or in weak grid "border" zones. This condition generates critical barriers such as:
1) Extreme dependence on imported fossil fuels, with costs higher than the electric grid and greater volatility due to international prices. 2) Insufficient or non-existent electrical infrastructure. 3) Lack of access to stable and affordable supply, resulting in frequent outages, voltage sags, restricted operating hours, and cost overruns due to inefficient backup systems.
Consequently, productive capacity is limited, local CO₂ and NOx emissions increase, industrial investment in extreme regions of the country is stalled, and the territorial development gap widens.
General Objective
To design and implement decentralized energy solutions, based on renewable sources (solar, wind, storage) and intelligent hybrid systems, to guarantee a stable, affordable, and low-carbon electricity supply for isolated industries in remote areas of Chile, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
L01 / Development and Pilot-Scale Scaling of Cathodic and Anodic Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries, including Prototyping, Electrochemical Validation, and Pre-certification under Real Operating Conditions
Challenge Description
The challenge consists of developing and scaling at pilot level cathodic and/or anodic materials for lithium-ion batteries, advancing from research to functional prototyping and electrochemical validation under real operating conditions. This implies strengthening technological capabilities to produce high-performance materials, optimizing manufacturing processes, and ensuring quality through pre-certification stages. It also seeks to reduce the existing gap between scientific knowledge and its industrial application, promoting value generation in the lithium chain and positioning Chile as a relevant player in the development of energy storage technologies.
General Objective
To develop and scale at pilot level advanced cathodic and/or anodic materials for lithium-ion batteries, integrating prototyping, electrochemical validation, and pre-certification processes under real operating conditions, to generate local technological capabilities and increase the added value of the lithium industry in Chile.
M01 / Optimization of Flotation and Leaching to Reduce Waste and Inputs
Challenge Description
Flotation and leaching processes are fundamental for mineral recovery, but they also represent significant sources of waste generation and consumption of water, energy, and reagents. Limited efficiency in these processes directly impacts the sustainability and competitiveness of mining operations. This challenge seeks to promote technologies that improve metallurgical efficiency while reducing waste generation and the use of critical inputs. Priority will be given to solutions that integrate real-time control, selective reagents, and more sustainable process designs, enabling cleaner, more efficient, and resilient mining.
General Objective
Contribute to the sustainability of metallurgical processes through the development and validation of technologies that optimize flotation and leaching, reducing waste and critical inputs such as water, energy, and reagents.
Questions and Inquiries
Subject: ITL Open Innovation Call
Se extiende el plazo para la recepción de preguntas hasta el 22 de julio