The circular economy is a regenerative and restorative economic model by design, which seeks to move from the current linear economic model, based on «do, use, discard», to a circular model that allows the efficient use and exploitation of our scarce and valuable resources. The circular economy promotes that the materials that have already been processed can be recovered and reused, maintaining their value for as long as possible, eliminating the concept of waste, favoring the regeneration of ecosystems and protecting natural resources from overexploitation. This aims to decouple economic growth from the use of natural resources, keeping them permanently in circulation – through recycling, reuse, repair and remanufacturing – for as long as possible. However, we cannot talk about circular economy without mentioning the fourth industrial revolution, they are two sides of the same coin, since industry 4.0 provides the technologies that allow the development of new circular business models, and the circular economy encourages , promotes and gives meaning to the development of these technologies; giving way to what we know as: Circular Economy 4.0.
This study has been prepared by the team of the Center for Innovation and Circular Economy (CIEC) through programmatic workshops held in Lima and Bogotá, with a final presentation workshop in Santiago, Chile.
The circular economy is a restorative industrial model by design and proposes that, instead of extracting natural resources, materials that have already been processed can be recovered and reused in various ways.
Over the past seven years, a major global movement has been brewing, led primarily by entrepreneurs, innovators and entrepreneurs, seeking to promote and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Latin America today has a historic opportunity to choose a new path to development. The effects of COVID19 on the region and its inhabitants have placed a sense of urgency to promote substantive changes in the way of (re) constructing themselves, with decision and commitment welcoming a model of sustainable development that generates economic, social and environmental value.
Develop conceptual and practical skills for the design of circular strategies in companies and enterprises.
Understand the importance of the circular economy as a means of generating economic, social and environmental value
Know and apply, through practical examples, how technological innovation and design are a fundamental part of any circular business model
CIEC understands that the transition to the circular economy is a path where companies of all sectors and sizes are a fundamental actor. For this reason, we support them in their process to move from the linear model to the circular economy through:
El CIEC busca contribuir al diseño e implementación de políticas públicas para la economía circular que permitan el desarrollo económico, social y ambiental de los países. Para esto apoyamos por:
A substantial part of the circular economy in developing countries is overcoming poverty. At CIEC we support local governments, non-governmental organizations and companies, among others, through:
The circular economy is linked to the ability of companies and governments to promote industry 4.0 through technology-based innovation for the generation of new products, processes and services. CIEC supports this process by:
CEO and Founder
Executive Director and Founder of CIEC. Neptuno Pumps CEO. Mechanical Civil Engineer, M.Sc. and High Impact Entrepreneur Endeavor. Recognized as the first defender of the circular economy in Latin America and creator of the world’s first «circular pump» by The Circular Awards (Young Global Leaders and WEF) and «Highly Commended» by the World Economic Forum.
Director of Business Development
PhD in Economics and Business Management (University of Deusto), MBA Loyolla College in Maryland (USA). Academic Faculty of Economics, Government and Communications – Central University of Chile. Former executive director of the Latin American Center for Relations with Europe (CELARE). He served as Head of Sustainability of ProChile, in the General Directorate of International Economic Relations (DIRECON), Chile. Scholar of the Santander Group, UNESCO Chair in Human Resources for Latin America and Tokio Foundation, Sylff Program (The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young leaders fellowship fund).
Director of Research and Innovation
Doctor (c) in Administration and Business from Universidad de Chile, MBA Universidad de Chile Deputy Director and Researcher of the Innovation Observatory of the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Chile, with specialization in Strategic Management, Innovation and technology transfer processes. He has been director of various projects in the areas of innovation, research and internationalization at the University of Chile.
Project Coordinator
with the Public Sector
Forest Engineer, Master in Technology Management with emphasis in Biotechnology Project Evaluator for different R&D Agencies (CONICYT, CORFO, FIA, Copec-UC, among others). With vast experience in research, development and innovation management, having been Program Director Genoma-Conicyt, Deputy Director of R&D at FONDEF.
Director of Technology and Digital Transformation
CTO at NDX Technology and Neptuno Pumps. Computer Engineer, Specialist in design, integration and implementation of IT / OT technology solutions for Industry 4.0, Machine Learning, analytics and data management. Directing large-scale projects both in Chile and abroad. Certified in a wide variety of technologies and best practices in the industry.
Senior Advisor
PhD (c) in Circular Economy from KU Leuven, MPH from Columbia University in New York and B.Sc. in Chemistry from Wagner College. Currently, in her doctorate and as a researcher at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar-Ecuador headquarters, she studies and proposes the transformation towards a circular economy that is primarily inclusive as a Latin American proposal, understanding socio-metabolic, spatial and productive processes. She was a research fellow of the Drawdown project whose publication is a NY Times Best Seller and named innovator under 35 by MIT technology review.
Senior Advisor
Industrial and Systems Engineer from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Studies and Specialist in Plastics and Industrial Processes from the Mexican Institute of Industrial Plastic. Co-founder of México Recicla, member of the board of directors of Grupo Multiplásticos, Operations Manager of 4B Envases Plásticos and Consultant in Circular Economy for the Secretary of Economic Development of Mexico City and Grupo Modelo AB InBev. Columnist in the magazine Mundo Plástico, recognized by the National Association of Plastic Industries – ANIPAC as an expert in the identification and proper management of post-consumer plastic waste and winner of the 2020 edition of the 3M Global Impact Program.
Senior Advisor
MBA, Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile. Digital Strategies for Business. Executive Education, Columbia Business School, USA. Diploma in Strategic Management, Pontificia Universidad Católica. Chile. Psychologist, Central University of Chile. Director CIEC-Peru (Center for Innovation and Circular Economy) HCMBOK® Certified Professional. HCMBOK-29-4234 license.
Senior Advisor
Industrial and Systems Engineer from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Studies with a Diploma in Strategic Administration and Business Development from the Iberoamerican University. Co-founder of México Recicla, member of the board of directors of Grupo Multiplásticos, Commercial Manager of 4B Envases Plásticos and Consultant in Circular Economy for the Secretary of Economic Development of Mexico City and Grupo Modelo AB InBev and Coordinator of Business Development at Comarket S.A. de C.V. Columnist in the magazine Mundo Plástico, recognized by the National Association of Plastic Industries – ANIPAC as an expert in the identification and proper management of post-consumer plastic waste and winner of the 2020 edition of the 3M Global Impact Program.
Senior Advisor
Civil Industrial Engineer (Mechanics), with an MBA degree in the Netherlands. Currently developing technological projects in the Netherlands and Chile, related to revaluation of organic waste, technology applied to circular models and sustainable technological solutions. He has specialized in public policy and affairs issues. He has also served as manager for Latin America in international companies linked to the pharmaceutical and agro-industrial sector.
Chilean world-class company awarded nationally and internationally, recognized as a pioneer in circular economy in Latin America and the world. Designers and manufacturers of innovative, sustainable and efficient pump solutions for the industry.
Mexican company specialized in the production of recycled raw material for the manufacture of new high-quality consumer plastic products and provides recycled plastic solutions that generate value and competitive advantage.
El Observatorio de la Innovación depende de la Facultad de Economía y Negocios de la Universidad de Chile, cuya misión es promover la innovación basada en la ciencia dentro de los ecosistemas de emprendimiento global.
Chilean company, which provides software development services. Specialists in implementation and integration of complex technological solutions. Dedicated to research and development in the world of information technology and manufacturing industry.
Senior management consulting firm present in Chile and Peru, specialized in strategic management, innovation management and transformation management services.