Centro de Ecologia Aplicada

What Centro de Ecologia Aplicada does

Centro de Ecología Aplicada (CEA) is a privately held Chilean environmental consulting firm founded in the early 1990s by Fernando Novoa and Manuel Contreras, operating from La Reina, Santiago. The firm delivers scientific diagnosis, monitoring, and restoration of biodiversity and aquatic, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems through three service pillars — Diagnosticamos (scientific monitoring and ecological state assessment), Reparamos (ecosystem restoration using nature-based solutions), and Implantamos (collaborative implementation with communities and stakeholders). Its primary customers are large Chilean mining companies requiring regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessment, and biodiversity monitoring, with a secondary public-sector client base.

The technical backbone is an INN-accredited and SMA-authorized ETFA laboratory operated through the wholly-owned elab.cl subsidiary, complemented by specialized instrumentation including a Picarro Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy water isotope analyzer, an AISA-Eagle hyperspectral airborne sensor (380–960 nm, 64–244 bands), a LI-COR LI-6400 infrared gas analyzer for ecophysiology, satellite tracking collars for migratory species studies, and RPAS platforms with AI-based image analysis for avifauna characterization. CEA has executed more than 900 projects across marine, terrestrial, and continental environments and maintains collaborative relationships with national and international research centers and universities, evidenced by recurring peer-reviewed publications.

CEA generates revenue through professional-services contracts sold direct to enterprise mining clients and government entities, with multi-year engagements typical — for example, the Laguna Conchalí environmental management plan for Minera Los Pelambres has run since 2005 and groundwater monitoring for Minera Spence since 2017. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the go-to-market is enterprise field sales supported by LinkedIn presence, industry events (e.g., LARS 2024), and scientific publication-driven credibility. Operations are domestic to Chile, with subsidiary structure (elab.cl) separating regulated laboratory activities from consulting.

Name

Centro de Ecologia Aplicada

Legal name

Centro de Ecología Aplicada

Website

https://cea.cl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Centro de Ecología Aplicada is a Chilean environmental consulting firm with 30+ years of experience providing scientific diagnosis, ecosystem monitoring, and nature-based restoration for biodiversity and water systems, primarily serving large mining companies and public-sector clients through accredited laboratory and field services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) & ASTM Phase I ESA (EUAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Product Sustainability & LCA/EPD (Eco-design, PCF) (EUAHAJAF)

Keywords

• Environmental consulting services
• Ecological monitoring studies
• Ecosystem restoration solutions
• Biodiversity impact assessment
• Environmental laboratory analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

La Reina

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Environmental Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for environmental diagnosis, monitoring, restoration, and nature-based solutions for mining companies and public sector clients. Services include baseline studies, environmental characterization, environmental release studies, environmental modeling, conservation management, environmental restoration, and environmental compensation.
2. Laboratory Analysis Services: Physical, chemical, and biological laboratory analysis services for water, sediments, soil, and other environmental matrices through their INN-accredited laboratory.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CEA is a Chilean environmental consulting firm that provides scientific diagnosis, monitoring, and restoration of biodiversity, aquatic, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems, grounded in nature-based solutions. Its core offering is organized around three pillars—Diagnosticamos (environmental monitoring and diagnostics), Reparamos (ecosystem restoration), and Implantamos (collaborative implementation)—and is supported by an INN-accredited, SMA-authorized ETFA environmental laboratory (elab.cl) for physical, chemical, and biological analysis of water, sediments, soil, and biota.

Product overview

Centro de Ecologia Aplicada (CEA) is an environmental consulting company with over 30 years of experience offering integrated environmental services. The portfolio consists of three core service pillars: Diagnosticamos (scientific monitoring and diagnosis of environmental status, biodiversity, and ecosystems), Reparamos (ecosystem restoration using nature-based solutions), and Implantamos (collaborative implementation through community engagement). Supporting these are specialized capabilities including an INN-accredited and SMA-authorized ETFA laboratory (elab.cl) for physical-chemical and biological analysis; Remote Sensing services using AISA-Eagle Specim hyperspectral sensors; Isotope Analysis using Picarro Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy; and Ecofysiology studies using LI-COR instrumentation. CEA serves both private and public sector clients across Chile with over 900 projects completed.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diagnosticamos - Environmental Diagnosis and Monitoring Scientific monitoring and diagnosis of environmental status, biodiversity, and aquatic, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems using an integrated-systemic approach to determine ecological and environmental state changes. Targeted at mining companies and public-sector clients requiring environmental compliance and biodiversity insights.
• Reparamos - Ecosystem Restoration Restoration of ecosystems affected by anthropogenic or natural perturbations, prioritizing nature-based solutions (SbN) to recover ecological condition and ecosystem services. For mining operators and public agencies needing compensation and remediation outcomes.
• Implantamos - Collaborative Implementation Implementation of collaborative processes for sustainable territory co-construction through common-interest agreements, knowledge management, and education. For mining companies and public institutions requiring community engagement and stakeholder co-management.
• Laboratorio Ambiental ETFA (elab.cl) Accredited laboratory and inspection body by INN and ETFA-authorized by SMA for physical and chemical analysis of waters and sediments, aquatic biota analysis, and environmental sampling across various matrices. Serves enterprise and public-sector clients needing regulatorily recognized environmental testing.
• Remote Sensing (Percepción Remota) Hyperspectral image acquisition using the airborne AISA-Eagle Specim sensor (380-960 nm spectral range, 2.3-10 nm resolution, 64-244 bands) for water body surface estimation, vegetation coverage, and ecological state assessment of wetlands and marine intertidal ecosystems.
• Isotope Analysis Studies Water source determination studies using oxygen and deuterium isotope analysis with a Picarro Inc. high-precision water isotope analyzer based on Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy. Used for aquifer recharge sources, water supply characterization, and hydrological cycle studies.
• Ecofisiología Studies Photosynthesis evaluation as biological performance indicator using LI-COR LI-6400 Infrared Gas Analyzer to measure CO2 assimilation rate and stomatal conductance in situ, reflecting plant water balance at leaf level.
• Environmental Modeling Environmental modeling services for impact assessment and ecosystem simulation, used to support baseline studies, impact prediction, and restoration planning for mining and public-sector clients.
• Environmental Compensation Services Environmental compensation planning and implementation delivered as part of CEA's ecosystem restoration work, addressing regulatory offset requirements for mining and infrastructure operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• 900+ environmental projects executed
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Fundación Núcleo NativocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partnership from origins spanning 10 years. CEA founders Fernando Novoa and Manuel Contreras participate on foundation board as advisors. CEA provides donations, infrastructure support, and professional expertise. Collaboration focuses on community nurseries for native trees (primarily elderly vulnerable women), environmental education, and ecosystem reforestation monitoring.
• National and International Research Centers and UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative relationships with research centers and universities nationally and internationally to develop innovative solutions and specific services through the application of scientific and technological knowledge.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ausenco: Engineering and environmental services firm with deep Latin American mining client base; provides environmental management, permitting, and monitoring services comparable to CEA's mining-sector offerings.
• SLR Consulting: Specialist environmental and advisory consultancy with a sizable mining practice in Latin America; provides environmental monitoring, baseline studies, and ESG advisory to mining operators — directly competing with CEA in the Chilean market.
• Knight Piésold: Mining-focused engineering and environmental consultancy with strong Latin American footprint; offers environmental monitoring, water management, and permitting for mining clients comparable to CEA's mining portfolio.
• SRK Consulting: Mining-focused consultancy with strong Latin American coverage offering environmental, hydrogeological, and geotechnical services; overlaps with CEA on groundwater monitoring and environmental baseline studies for mining clients.

Broad incumbents

• Arcadis: Global design and consultancy firm with a strong environmental and mining practice serving Chilean copper and lithium clients; overlaps with CEA on environmental impact assessment, permitting support, and nature-based solutions.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure and environmental consultancy with established mining-environmental work in Chile and Latin America; competes on baseline, permitting, and remediation services adjacent to CEA's portfolio.
• Stantec: Global engineering and environmental services firm with active mining-environmental practice in Latin America; competes on environmental monitoring, water resources, and permitting for Chilean mining clients.
• WSP (including Golder Associates): WSP acquired Golder Associates (a leading mining-environmental consultancy with deep Chilean presence) in 2021, giving it a global environmental services platform that competes directly with CEA on baseline studies, monitoring, and impact assessments for mining clients in Chile.
• Wood (Wood Environment & Infrastructure): Global consulting and engineering firm with environmental services for mining and resources; competes with CEA on environmental monitoring, impact assessment, and restoration for mining operators in Chile.
• ERM (Environmental Resources Management): World's largest pure-play environmental consultancy with deep mining-sector presence in Chile, providing permitting, impact assessment, biodiversity, and ESG services — a direct substitute for many of CEA's offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centro-de-ecologia-aplicada

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centro de Ecologia Aplicada