At COLUN, we are constantly working to quantify and manage our carbon footprint. Among the actions we’ve taken are continuous improvements in our emissions estimation and reporting processes, the incorporation of renewable energy through solar panels and the use of biomass, as well as the operation of 100% electric delivery vehicles, among other initiatives.
Between 2020 and 2025, we reduced emissions generated per liter of processed milk by 37%, earning the Huella Chile Greenhouse Gas Reduction certification at two of our plants. Columela and Los Tambores, and Greenhouse Gas Quantification certification at seven of our facilities.
7 Establishments
Los Tambores Green Plant
Columela Industrial Plant
Belloto Distribution Center
Bíobío Distribution Center
San Bernardo Distribution Center
La Unión Industrial Plant
Río Bueno Agricultural Trading Agency
2 Establishments
Los Tambores Green Plant
Columela Industrial Plant
To use energy more efficiently, we first need to measure it.
What isn’t measured can’t be managed; for nearly four years we have worked rigorously to monitor our consumption of electricity, compressed air, water, and steam across our operations. This process enabled us to obtain ISO 50.001 energy management certification in 2024 at three of our plants: La Unión Industrial Plant, Columela, and Los Tambores Green Plant, which has helped us manage our significant energy uses efficiently. This new standard complements our ISO 14.001 environmental management certification, further strengthening the integration of our industrial sustainability strategy.
Better Climate Control, Greater Efficiency.
In 2024, we improved the climate control systems at the Columela and Los Tambores plants, delivering cool air more directly to operators and reducing motor power from 240 kW to 180 kW. We also installed active filters to stabilize large motors and reduce current losses.
Biomass for sustainable development.
Over the past five years, we have worked diligently to replace fossil fuels with biomass derived from forest waste at sawmills in the Los Ríos and Los Lagos regions, increasing its share in our steam mix from 60% to 85%, and reducing our use of petroleum.
Awarded the GOLD Seal of Energy Excellence
COLUN was awarded the Gold Seal of Energy Excellence in its category by the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Sustainability Agency, validating our commitment to sustainable dairy production. This recognition honors the measures implemented at the Los Tambores plant and is awarded to those who have succeeded in reducing energy costs, increasing their competitiveness and productivity, and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Less fuel, more steam.
In 2024, we implemented energy efficiency improvements at the Los Tambores plant, where we installed a boiler economizer that allowed us to harness the heat from flue gases to preheat the boiler feedwater, in addition to automating the burners to optimize fuel use. In the second project we implemented, we increased condensate recovery to reduce the use of external water. These measures resulted in a 15% increase in condensate recovery and a 7% reduction in fuel consumption.
Water is involved in every production process. That is why, at COLUN, we use it responsibly by monitoring our consumption, reusing part of the resource, and implementing specific measures to reduce our water footprint.
Blue Certificate
We were recognized by the Agency for Sustainability and Climate Change with the “Blue Certificate” under the Clean Production Agreement (APL) “Blue Certificate” at Level 2 Advanced for our Los Tambores plant, highlighting our system for reusing treated water to irrigate green spaces. The projects implemented resulted in a reduction in both our direct and indirect water footprints, achieving an aggregate decrease of 8% for the evaluated indicators.
Cooling towers for recirculating and reusing water
We have installed cooling towers at our condensed milk, UHT, and pasteurization plants, which allow us to recirculate and reuse water within our processes, reducing the need to draw additional water.
Participation in the Río Bueno Groundwater Committee
COLUN participates in and serves on the Board of Directors of the Río Bueno Medio Groundwater Community (CAS), contributing to collaborative efforts for better management and protection of this resource in the region.
New Industrial Liquid Waste Treatment System
At the future Los Tambores cheese plant, we designed a new Industrial Liquid Waste (RILES) treatment system to strengthen the stewardship of water used in production processes.
At COLUN, we promote a waste management approach focused on recovering, recycling, and properly disposing of non-reusable materials.
Our Commitment
This commitment begins in our cooperative partner’s fields and is carried out through initiatives such as “COLUN Recicla,” which promotes the recycling of plastic wrap; the recycling of pesticide containers in partnership with AFIPA; and guidance on the responsible management of waste, including sharps and biohazards.
APL Zero Waste to Landfill
In 2019, we voluntarily joined the Clean Production Agreement (APL) “Zero Waste to Landfill,” which aims to reduce the volume of solid waste through circular economy practices, thereby preventing its generation and increasing its recovery. As a result, our three main plants received the Ministry of the Environment’s “Zero Waste to Landfill” certification.
By 2025, 79% of the solid waste generated at COLUN was recovered, either through reuse, recycling, composting, or energy recovery.
Compliance with Our Extended Producer Responsibility
COLUN meets the collection and recovery targets for containers and packaging established by the REP Law.
We are founding members of the GIRO management system for household packaging and the PROREP management system for non-household packaging.
