Ceresal has exported 30 tonnes of compressed EPS to Spain and Belgium.

How Chile's waste salmon packaging became Europe's resource 

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A Chilean company that recycles salmon farming waste has reached a milestone by exporting 30 tonnes of compressed expanded polystyrene (EPS) to Europe, reports Fish Farming Expert's Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl.

Ceresal SpA developed its operation in Puerto Aysén in 2022, promoting solutions aimed at the recovery and valorisation of waste from the aquaculture industry.

After several years of work and collaboration with different actors in the territory, the company finalised the shipment of compressed EPS to Spain and Belgium, marking its first export and opening new opportunities for the circular economy from the Aysén Region.

What is recycled EPS used for?

EPS, which is widely used to make boxes that keep salmon cold when it is being transported, is made from expandable polystyrene beads known as granulate. When it is recycled, the EPS is cut into small prices, ground up, and seived to make 'shred', which is used as an additive in the plaster and mortar industry, in seat cushions, as a pore-forming agent in brick manufacturing, and as a thermally insulating levelling compound in flooring construction.

Compressed EPS cannot be recycled in quite the same way, but is instead made into 'regranulate', which has almost the same properties as original granulate but is a little darker in colour. It can be used as a raw material for insulation boards or for other applications.

"For us, this first step represented a very important milestone, because it demonstrated that it was also possible to innovate and reach international markets from the Aysén Region,” said Ceresal commercial manager Pilar Rodríguez.

“This process required perseverance, collaboration, and a lot of hard work, and it reinforced our conviction that even from an extremely remote region, new opportunities for the circular economy can be created.”

Help with pallets

One of the main challenges in completing the operation was obtaining pallets that met the required export specifications. Since these were unavailable in Aysén, salmon farming giant AquaChile assisted in transporting more than 40 pallets from Chonchi to Puerto Aysén, allowing the shipment preparations to proceed.

“For AquaChile, it was invaluable to contribute to a process that originated in the region and successfully expanded into international markets. This type of collaboration strengthens local suppliers, promotes the circular economy, and generates value for the region,” stated Ximena Solís, public affairs manager at AquaChile.

The export deal resulted from a connection forged at the recent Aqua Sur trade fair in Puerto Montt, with subsequent collaboration from AquaChile. 

chile expanded polystyrene news salmon farming recycling circular economy