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Santiago, March 14, 2022.- In line with its commitment of enabling a more sustainable industry and making the world a better place to live, SQM, the leader and main producer of iodine globally, with support of Expande, launched the “Genius Challenge”, international call for open innovation that seeks identifying the best solutions that encourage the use of this mineral and its derivatives in Chile and internationally.

The initiative is intended for natural persons, companies, startups, research centers or other entities that are legally constituted and have validated solutions at the laboratory level with a focus on the following technological fields: perovskite solar cells, semiconductors, refrigerants, biocides, use and consumption of iodine in humans and animals, biofortification and polymers.

During the launch, Pablo Altimiras, Executive Vice President Nitrates & Iodine of SQM pointed out that “since our beginning, the capacity for innovation and development has been the hallmark of our company. The decision and ability to reinvent ourselves over and over again, adapting to the market and the different needs of our clients, is an attribute that supports each of our business lines. That is why through the “Genius Challenge”, and under an open innovation model, supported by Expande, we want to go a step further, working hand in hand with the ecosystem to promote the technological development of solutions around the use and applications of iodine that benefit human development”.

Ricardo Morgado, Director of Strategy and Development at Expande, also added that “open innovation, collaboration and systemic responses between the private world and entrepreneurs are key to responding to the increasingly complex challenges productive sectors face today. We invite all companies to participate in this impact challenge with which they can receive support from a leading company in the production of iodine at global level, accelerate the time to market of their solutions and get access to all the knowledge, know-how and networks of Fundación Chile contacts, through Expande”.

It should be noted that the winner or winners, to be defined in a Demo Day, will be able to get prizes of USD$120,000, USD$60,000 and USD$30,000 from SQM to support them in advancing their solution to the next technology readiness level (TRL).

Applications will be open until June 6 at www.geniuschallenge.cl

About SQM

Headquartered in northern Chile, SQM has been providing solutions for human progress for 53 years through its five business lines. Its products are essential for the health, food and technology industries, and for the generation of clean energy that moves the world.

SQM was built and managed based on a culture of excellence, safety, sustainability, and integrity. It seeks to position itself as a leader in sustainability to create a “green” brand through its ongoing efforts to manage natural resources responsibly, care for the environment, trust-based relationships with communities, and the creation of shared social value.

About Expande

Expande seeks to promote the development of ecosystems that allow creating virtuous circles among challenges pertaining to the natural resources industry and the innovativesolutions generated by local and international companies.

Under open innovation and associativity models, we seek that companies and suppliers obtain value for their businesses by incorporating and implementing technologies.

This initiative, under the umbrella of Alta Ley National Mining Program, is co-designed and implemented by Fundación Chile and its strategic partners: Corfo, Antofagasta Minerals, BHP, Codelco, Teck, Sierra Gorda SCM, the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, the Ministry of Mining and IDB-Lab.