(LABENCHILE) Centro de Innovación en Envases y Embalajes

What (LABENCHILE) Centro de Innovación en Envases y Embalajes does

LABENCHILE (Centro de Innovación en Envases y Embalajes) is a university-affiliated technological innovation center established in 1995 at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) in Estación Central, Santiago. The center provides specialized laboratory testing, applied research, technological advisory, and professional training services focused on food packaging materials, serving the food, packaging manufacturing, and recycling industries in Chile. Its service portfolio spans compostability analysis under the ECOLABEN® trademark, safety and migration testing, barrier property and antimicrobial analysis, material characterization, sensory analysis, and shelf-life evaluation. Revenue is generated through fee-for-service testing, contract R&D projects funded by ANID, CORFO, FONDEF, FONDECYT, and ECOS-ANID grants, professional training courses, and collaborative industry partnerships with major Chilean enterprises including Soprole, Watt's, CMPC, Coexpan, Carozzi, Colun, Topcolor, and Typack.

The center holds a distinctive regulatory position as Chile's first and only laboratory certified to verify biodegradability, compostability, and recyclability of packaging, with proprietary functional barrier technologies enabling use of post-consumer recycled polystyrene and PET in food contact applications. Its technology development pipeline includes circular economy models for the dairy industry, cellulosic packaging prototypes, and the Guía Recicla digital design platform. In 2025, the center was selected as one of six ANID Technological Innovation Centers (CTI 250002) with Universidad del Bío-Bío and UTEM as associated institutions, and officially launched its Centro Tecnológico in July 2026 with over 100 attendees. The center maintains an active international research network spanning ITENE (Spain), Fraunhofer Institute (Germany), Michigan State University, AgroParisTech (France), Universidad de Borgoña, AIMPLAS, IATA-CSIC, and IAPRI, alongside domestic partnerships with ASIPLA, ANIR, and Pacto Chileno de los Plásticos.

Name

(LABENCHILE) Centro de Innovación en Envases y Embalajes

Legal name

LABENCHILE - Centro de Innovación en Envases y Embalajes de la Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Website

https://labenchile.cl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LABENCHILE is a USACH-affiliated technology center in Santiago, Chile providing specialized laboratory testing, contract R&D, and training services for the food packaging, packaging manufacturing, and recycling industries. It is Chile's first and only lab certified for compostability and recyclability verification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Packaging Testing and R&D Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

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

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMALAMAK

Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Packaging & Containers/Sustainable Packaging Solutions

SECONDARYAFALAAAA

Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

SECONDARYAFALAAAN

Food Safety Training & Competency Programs (HACCP, Preventive Controls)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Food Testing Laboratories (Microbiological, Chemical, Allergen)

SECONDARYIMALAMAB

Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Packaging & Containers/Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Keywords

• Packaging testing services
• Compostability certification
• Food contact materials
• Circular economy packaging
• Contract R&D packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Specialized Testing Services: Fee-for-service laboratory testing including compostability analysis, material identification, characterization, safety/migration testing, barrier properties, antimicrobial capacity, sensory analysis, and functional characterization. Revenue generated from per-assay or per-project fees.
2. Technological Consulting: Advisory services including design selection, safety/inocuity, performance/stability, and environmental/circular economy consulting. Provided as fee-based professional services.
3. Contract Research and Development: Customized R&D services under contract, including new materials development and applied research projects. Funded through industry contracts and government funding (CORFO, ANID).
4. Training and Education: Specialized courses in packaging innovation for industry professionals, including e-learning and in-person formats. Courses on packaging technologies, shelf life calculation, optimization techniques, legislation, and ecodesign.
5. Government Funding: Core operations funded through ANID (Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo) as one of six selected Technological Innovation Centers (CTI 250002). Additional funding from CORFO, FONDEF, and FONDECYT research grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LABENCHILE is the packaging innovation center of the Universidad de Santiago de Chile, providing specialized laboratory testing services (compostability, migration, barrier, microbiological, and sensory analysis), technological advisory and contract R&D for sustainable packaging materials, and professional training courses for industry. It collaborates with food, packaging, and recycling companies to develop circular economy solutions, including functional barriers for post-consumer recycled PET and polystyrene, and cellulosic packaging prototypes.

Product overview

LABENCHILE is a Technological Innovation Center for Packaging and Packaging Materials affiliated with the Universidad de Santiago de Chile. The organization offers an integrated portfolio of specialized testing services (including ECOLABEN® compostability analysis, safety/migration testing, barrier properties, and material characterization), technological advisory services (ecodesign, environmental, regulatory compliance), and contract R&D services for new sustainable packaging materials. Additionally, LABENCHILE provides professional training courses in packaging technologies, food safety, and regulatory compliance. The center also develops technology projects focused on circular economy solutions including recycled PET and PS packaging with functional barriers, cellulosic packaging, and recyclable packaging design tools like Guía Recicla. The organization runs the annual Packaging Innovation Awards and innovation programs like Co-Inventa and PackInnova Emprende.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ECOLABEN® Compostability Analysis Certified specialized laboratory service analyzing whether packaging materials are truly compostable, verifying manufacturer biodegradability, compostability, and recyclability claims. Used by packaging producers, food companies, and recycling industry players.
• Food Contact Material Safety and Migration Testing Safety and migration testing for packaging materials ensuring compliance with food contact regulations per EU, Mercosur, and national standards for food manufacturers and packaging producers.
• Packaging Material Characterization Material characterization services for packaging materials, analyzing physical, chemical, and mechanical properties for packaging manufacturers and food companies.
• Barrier Property Analysis Barrier property analysis for packaging materials, evaluating oxygen, moisture, and other barrier characteristics for food and packaging manufacturers.
• Microbiological and Antimicrobial Testing for Packaging Microbiological testing services for packaging materials evaluating antimicrobial capacity and safety for food companies and packaging manufacturers.
• Packaging Sensory Analysis Sensory analysis services for packaging evaluating consumer perception and product-package interactions for food manufacturers and packaging producers.
• Functional Characterization and Shelf Life Evaluation Functional characterization and shelf-life evaluation services for packaged products for food manufacturers and packaging producers.
• Packaging Selection and Design Advisory Technological advisory services for packaging selection and design optimization for food manufacturers and packaging producers.
• Packaging Safety and Food Safety Advisory Advisory services on packaging safety and food safety compliance for food manufacturers and packaging producers.
• Packaged Product Performance and Stability Advisory Advisory services for packaged product performance and stability evaluation for food and packaging manufacturers.
• Environmental and Circular Economy Advisory Environmental advisory services focused on circular economy principles and sustainability for packaging for food, packaging and recycling companies.
• Contract Research and Development Contract research and development services for new packaging materials and technologies for packaging producers, food companies, and industry partners.
• New Packaging Materials Development Development and research services for new sustainable packaging materials for packaging producers and food companies.
• Guía Recicla Recyclable Packaging Design Platform Digital guide and platform supporting recyclable packaging design decisions with technical criteria for materials and components, intended for packaging manufacturers, designers, and brand owners.
• Food Packaging Plastic Selection Training Course Technical training course on identifying and selecting plastic packaging suitable for food applications, for industry professionals.
• Packaged Food Shelf Life Calculation Course Training course covering technical foundations for calculating shelf life of packaged foods, for food industry professionals.
• Food Packaging Technologies Training Course Training course providing overview of main food packaging technologies and their applications, for industry professionals.
• Plastic Packaging Optimization Techniques Course Training on technical criteria for analyzing and optimizing plastic packaging in the food industry, for food industry professionals.
• Food Contact Plastic Packaging Legislation Course Training course on legislation for plastic packaging in contact with food, including safety and regulatory requirements. SENCE certified, for industry professionals.
• Plastic Packaging Technical Sheet Interpretation Course Training on interpreting technical data sheets and specifications for plastic packaging in food contact applications. SENCE certified, for industry professionals.
• Ecodesign, Law REP and Law PUSU Training Course Training course on ecodesign principles and regulatory framework including Law REP and Law PUSU for agri-food industry, for industry professionals.
• Technology Surveillance Service Strategic technology monitoring service providing systematic search, analysis and tracking of relevant technical, scientific, regulatory and market information for packaging industry professionals.
• Co-Inventa Innovation Platform Innovation platform and portfolio showcasing Laben Chile's technological developments, spin-offs, and innovation programs for industry partners and technology transfer.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 specialized tests performed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered major, strategic, regional, minor and core.

• Escuela de la Industria Gráfica (EIG)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2026Educational institution partnership including cooperation agreement for training, formation, dissemination, and awareness in recycling, circular economy, and scientific outreach. Includes 'Educar para Reciclar' program, poster contest, laboratory visits, and science outreach talks.
• Hub APTAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Innovation hub partnership for PackInnova Emprende program supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in sustainable packaging development.
• Innovo USACHmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2026USACH innovation ecosystem partner supporting entrepreneurship programs and technology commercialization initiatives.
• ASIPLA (Asociación de la Industria del Plástico)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Chilean plastics industry association partnership for circular economy initiatives, sustainability projects, and industry collaboration. ASIPLA General Manager featured at center launch event.
• Pacto Chileno de los PlásticosmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026National plastics pact partnership for industry transformation toward sustainability in packaging.
• ANIR (Asociación Nacional de la Industria del Reciclaje)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026National recycling industry association partnership for recyclability guidelines and circular economy implementation in packaging.
• Fraunhofer InstitutestrategicTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2026Collaboration with leading German applied research organization for process engineering and packaging technologies.
• AIMPLAS (Spain)strategicTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2026Spanish plastics research institute partnership for packaging technology exchange and sustainable materials development.
• IAPRI (International Association of Packaging Research Institutes)strategicTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2026International association membership connecting Laben with global packaging research institutions and best practices.
• IATA (Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, CSIC, Spain)strategicTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2026Spanish food technology institute partnership for research collaboration in food contact materials and packaging safety.
• Universidad de Chimborazo (Ecuador)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Ecuadorian university partnership for regional collaboration in packaging and food technology research.
• Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESP Chimborazo, Ecuador)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Ecuadorian technical university partnership for regional research collaboration in packaging technology.
• CMPC - Planta ValdiviamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Leading packaging manufacturer collaborating on cellulosic packaging development projects including validation of prototypes with low moisture absorption for food contact applications.
• Topcolor S.A.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Packaging company partner in FONDEF IT project for functional barriers on post-consumer recycled PET packaging for food contact applications.
• Coexpan ChilemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Primary packaging manufacturer partner in recycled polystyrene yogurt container development project, participating in full value chain collaboration.
• SoprolemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Dairy company partner in circular economy packaging project, conducting shelf life studies for yogurt packaged with recycled polystyrene materials.
• Watt'smajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Major food company partner in packaging innovation and sustainability projects with Laben Chile.
• REPS (Reciclajes Cono Sur)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Southern Cone recycling company partner in post-consumer polystyrene collection and valorization for circular economy packaging projects.
• REPS (Reciclajes Cono Sur)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Post-consumer polystyrene recycler partner in Ecovía project for dairy industry circular economy model implementation.
• Minuto Verde (ALIFRUT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Food company partner in cellulosic packaging validation project, providing industry perspective for food contact applications.
• Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Parent institution hosting Laben Chile as the Centro de Innovación en Envases y Embalajes. Provides academic infrastructure, research facilities, and access to faculty and students for collaborative projects.
• Universidad del Bío-BíocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Associated institution in the ANID Technological Innovation Center project, contributing research capabilities and regional industry connections.
• Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Associated institution in the ANID Technological Innovation Center project, collaborating on packaging research and development.
• AgroParisTech (France)strategicTechnology or Integration · 20 November 2025French agricultural and food science university partnership for research collaboration in packaging technology and food safety.
• ITENE (Instituto Tecnológico de Packaging, Spain)strategicTechnology or Integration · 30 October 2025Spanish packaging technology institute providing international collaboration and knowledge exchange in packaging innovation and sustainability.
• Michigan State University - School of PackagingstrategicTechnology or Integration · 30 October 2025International academic partnership with renowned packaging research institution for knowledge exchange and research collaboration.
• Universidad de Borgoña (France)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2025French university partner in ECOS-ANID scientific cooperation program. Collaboration on ecoactive PLA films with inclusion complexes for food conservation, involving researcher and student exchange between Chile and France.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Swedish research institute offering testing, certification, and R&D services for packaging and materials. Comparable in providing accredited testing, certification, and applied research for packaging industry, with broader portfolio across multiple sectors.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish applied research organization with strength in bio-based packaging materials and circular economy solutions. Comparable in applied research model for sustainable materials, though broader in scope beyond just packaging.

Direct peers

• AgroParisTech / INRAE (France): French agricultural and food science university with packaging research programs. Named partner of Laben Chile in ECOS-ANID cooperation. Comparable in academic research focus on food packaging and safety, with industry collaboration.
• Campden BRI: UK-based food and drink research organization providing testing, training, and advisory services including packaging safety and shelf life evaluation. Comparable service portfolio (testing, certification, training) and member-funded non-profit model.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV: German applied research organization specializing in food packaging, barrier properties, and sustainable packaging materials. Named collaborator of Laben Chile. Comparable in providing contract R&D, material characterization, and pilot-scale validation for packaging innovation.
• ITENE (Instituto Tecnológico del Envase, Envases y Embalaje): Spanish packaging technology institute providing specialized testing, R&D, and certification services for packaging materials. Named as a direct partner of Laben Chile. Closest comparable in scope, mission, and service catalog including compostability, recyclability, and food contact testing.
• Michigan State University - School of Packaging: Renowned US packaging research institution with focus on sustainable materials, food contact safety, and shelf life. Named partner of Laben Chile. Comparable in academic-industry hybrid model combining research, services, and training.
• AIMPLAS (Instituto Tecnológico del Plástico): Spanish plastics research institute offering R&D, testing, training, and technical services for the plastics and packaging industries. Named partner of Laben Chile. Comparable in mission (applied research for plastics/packaging) and business model (non-profit tech center serving industry).

Regional players

• CEADEN (Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear, Cuba) / LATU (Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay): Uruguayan technology laboratory providing testing, certification, and metrology services for industries including packaging. Regional peer in South America with similar public-institute model serving industry testing and certification needs.
• INTI (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial, Argentina): Argentine national technology institute providing testing, certification, and R&D services across industries including packaging. Comparable as a regional Latin American public research and testing institution providing accredited services to industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LABENCHILE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCADcoKEb6TuAJALfseMd5Pw
• Facebookfacebook.com/labenchile
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/labenchile
• Instagraminstagram.com/labenchile

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 (LABENCHILE) Centro de Innovación en Envases y Embalajes