SQM’s Port of Tocopilla receives international environmental management certification

SQM and Port of Tocopilla took another step toward a more sustainable industry by earning Ecoports certification. The certification is awarded by the ECOSLC Foundation and validated by an independent Dutch auditing firm (LRQA). As a leading environmental initiative for the European port sector, it offers a series of environmental management tools based on global standards.

Sustainability is a comprehensive, unwavering commitment by the chemical company, which sets several environmental, social and productive goals each year. As a result, the Tocopilla community presented the certification to the Port Operations team, led by its manager, Jorge Tellez.

“Very few ports in Chile today have this certification. It invites us to continue perfecting the way we operate and mitigate the environmental risks that may arise. As a company, we are convinced this is not just a diploma. Rather, it is a tool enabling us to continue managing our processes at the Port of Tocopilla,” SQM Corporate Affairs Manager for Nitrates and Iodine Ignacio Majluf said at the ceremony.

SQM Port Operations Manager Jorge Tellez remarked on this achievement: “It puts us in a very prominent position to continue becoming a leading example of green ports in Chile. I thank all the teams that have made this certification possible, particularly the Port of Tocopilla Operations management team and the Sustainability and Environment areas.”

The Ecoports Certification is in addition to the recognition that SQM and its Coya Sur mine received as a result of the “Transition to the Circular Economy” Clean Production Agreement (APL) from CORFO’s Sustainability and Climate Change Agency (ASCC). This recognition highlights our advances in the circular economy and production process management.

SQM Corporate Affairs Manager for Nitrates and Iodine Pablo Pisani commented: “As a company, we wanted to share with the community what it means to receive Ecoports certification and APL recognition for two local sites. Beyond our community contribution, we must continue to talk about sustainability, from the communities to our processes, as we move toward a more sustainable industry.

APL recognition highlights circular economy efforts in two major areas: Waste Management and Energy Management, seeking, implementing and perfecting concrete initiatives to achieve circularity.

In terms of energy, SQM is conducting a technical and economic evaluation of wave energy, which uses the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. In waste management, the company is converting its sites into zero-plastic-bottle zones. These changes will enable the company to forge a culture of sustainability.

Notably, representatives of the Provincial Delegation of Tocopilla and workers from the Port and Coya Sur attended the ceremony, highlighting the teams’ commitment to operating sustainably and making progress on environmental issues related to the port facility in Tocopilla.