Centro de Excelencia CENAMAD

What Centro de Excelencia CENAMAD does

Centro de Excelencia CENAMAD (Centro Nacional de Excelencia para la Industria de la Madera) is an ANID-funded baseline research center (Centro Basal) operating in partnership with CIM UC at Pontificia Universidad Cat\u00f3lica de Chile in Santiago. The center advances scientific and applied research in forest engineering, wood-based bioproducts, and timber construction, with emphasis on Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), seismic-resistant structural systems, light-frame construction, and sustainable building materials tailored to the Chilean context, particularly radiata pine applications in high-seismic-hazard zones. Work is delivered across three axes: research, technology transfer, and communications/training.

Core outputs include applied research projects on seismic behavior, prefabrication, and mid-rise timber codes; technology transfer projects applying findings to real buildings; free technical publications such as the CLT Handbooks (Volumes I and II with ETABS-based computational modeling methodology), the Colecci\u00f3n sobre Durabilidad y Preservaci\u00f3n de la Madera en Edificaci\u00f3n, and the Dise\u00f1a Madera digital platform connecting professionals to suppliers and resources. Proprietary technical contributions include the Link Frame Model for seismic analysis of timber frame buildings, hybrid shear walls for medium-rise timber construction, and friction-based seismic isolation combined with fire-resistant hybrid connectors. The center also delivers professional education via the Diplomado en Dise\u00f1o, C\u00e1lculo y Construcci\u00f3n en Madera and shorter technical courses.

CENAMAD operates a triple-helix consortium model. Funding flows from ANID baseline research grants, eight founding industry partners (Arauco, CMPC, Simpson Strong-Tie, Arxada/Protecci\u00f3n de Madera, JCE, Tecnopanel, Saint-Gobain, Fijaciones Mamut), six collaborating UC faculties, the Chilean Ministerio de Vivienda y Urbanismo (MINVU) under a 2015 framework agreement, and fees from training programs. End customers include Chilean construction professionals (architects, engineers, builders), government housing authorities, and the wood products supply chain. There is no external PE/VC ownership; the entity is governed by a directory board of industry and academic representatives with Francisca Lorenzini as Executive Director.

Name

Centro de Excelencia CENAMAD

Legal name

Centro Nacional de Excelencia para la Industria de la Madera (CENAMAD)

Website

https://madera.uc.cl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CENAMAD is an ANID-funded Chilean research center advancing wood construction science, CLT and seismic timber design through research, free technical publications, and professional training, serving architects, engineers, government, and wood-industry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wood Construction Research and Education

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Engineering Services (54133), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ)

Keywords

• Wood construction research
• Timber engineering training
• Cross-laminated timber design
• Sustainable building materials
• Seismic timber structures

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ANID Basal Center Funding: CENAMAD is a basal center of ANID (Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo) funding, supporting scientific excellence in forest engineering, bioproducts, and wood construction
2. Training and Education Programs: Revenue from diplomados, courses, and executive training programs for construction professionals
3. Research and Transfer Projects: Project-based funding from MINVU, industry partners, and government agencies for specific research and technology transfer initiatives

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CENAMAD, operating jointly with CIM UC, conducts applied research, technology transfer, and professional training focused on wood construction in Chile. It develops seismic-resistant structural systems, CLT design manuals, and Chilean technical standards, and delivers diplomados, technical courses, and publications for architects, engineers, builders, and government partners in the construction and forestry sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diplomado en Diseño, Cálculo y Construcción en Madera
• Cursos de Formación Técnica
• Plataforma Diseña Madera
• Colección sobre Durabilidad y Preservación de la Madera en Edificación
• Manual de modelación computacional y diseño estructural de edificios de madera contralaminada (CLT) Volumen II
• Manuales CLT (CLT Handbooks)
• Proyectos de Investigación

Quantifiable outcome

• Buildings of wood can reduce climate impact by 34-84% compared to concrete buildings
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 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

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Ministerio de Vivienda y Urbanismo (MINVU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Framework collaboration agreement signed in 2015. Government partner for housing policy, technical standards development, and social housing programs using wood construction. Key partner for regulatory advancement and market development.
• Celulosa Arauco y ConstitucióncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner since 2002, supporting wood construction research and development. Arauco provides raw materials, engineering products, and strategic direction. Key role in formalizing CIM UC in 2013 with focus on medium and high-rise construction.
• CMPC Maderas S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined in July 2014 as industry partner for sustainable construction development. CMPC brings forest resources, engineered wood products, and construction expertise. Collaboration includes sustainable building projects and industry innovation.
• Simpson Strong-TiecoreTechnology or IntegrationJoined Latin American markets in 2010, saw Chile as key market for wood construction. Partner since CIM UC origins, providing structural connectors, fasteners, and seismic-resistant solutions for timber buildings.
• Protección de Madera Ltda. (Arxada Quimetal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined in 2014, contributing wood preservation and durability expertise. Jointly developed the Colección sobre Durabilidad y Preservación de la Madera, providing industrial preservation knowledge and technical support for durable wood construction.
• JCE Chile S.A.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Chile's largest radiata pine sawmill producers since 1988. Provides high-precision sawn wood for construction, packaging, and remodeling applications. Partnership supports local wood industry development.
• TecnopanelsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationIndustrializer of prefabricated wood products including SIP panels, metal frames, and wood trusses. Supplied panels for Oasis de Chañaral sustainable housing project and participates in research on medium-rise buildings.
• Saint-GobainsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationGlobal materials company with construction solutions. Provides complementary materials for sustainable construction alongside wood products, contributing to integrated building solutions.
• CormacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey founding partner and association of 150+ forestry sector actors. Had pivotal role in creating the center and continues supporting wood industry development and sustainable practices.
• Fijaciones MamutsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationFounded 1939, specializes in manufacturing and importing fasteners. ISO 9001 certified, provides fastening solutions for wood construction applications.
• Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution providing academic framework, facilities, and research capabilities. Six faculties collaborate: Architecture Design and Urban Studies, Engineering, Agronomy and Natural Systems, Construction Civil, Architecture, and affiliated schools.
• Instituto de la ConstrucciónsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on sustainable construction and circular economy committees. Work on construction sustainability and climate change initiatives including circular economy subcommittee.
• Corporación de Desarrollo TecnológicosecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on circular economy strategy in the construction sector as part of working committees.
• Cámara Chilena de la ConstrucciónsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on circular economy strategy and sustainable construction development in Chile.
• Construye2025secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration on construction sustainability and RCD circular economy roadmap 2035. Active participation in advisory committees.
• Ministerio de Medio Ambiente (MMA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on national circular economy roadmap 2020-2040 development and environmental strategy.
• AOA (Architecture Wood Association)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on executive training programs for architectural design in wood. Joint development of specialized courses for AOA members.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtU1FmuhuPPRsZJNrmUDOuA
• Facebookfacebook.com/cim.uc.chile
• Instagraminstagram.com/cim.uc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cenamad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Centro de Excelencia CENAMAD