ESPOL Students Win LATAM Regional Chemical Engineering Innovation Competition

The event, organized by AspenTech (Aspen Technology), brought together more than 300 students from 116 universities across 45 countries, recognizing the top-performing teams from APAC (Asia-Pacific), EURA (Europe and Russia), LATAM (Latin America), MENA (Middle East and North Africa), and NORAM (North America).

After securing the top spot in Latin America, the ESPOL students represented both their institution and Ecuador as the LATAM regional delegates in the global finals, known as the Global Showdown. In this stage, they competed against champion teams from other regions worldwide, earning a remarkable fourth place in the global challenge.

AspenTech is the world’s leading software company in industrial process optimization, and its technology serves as the global standard across highly complex industries, including oil and gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. In this context, the competition challenges university students to solve real-world industrial issues using advanced simulation tools and Industrial Artificial Intelligence from the aspenONE technology suite.

Diana and Natalie participated with the project “Production of biochar from cocoa pod husks through pyrolysis for its application as an adsorbent for water contaminants,” a proposal focused on transforming cocoa husks into high-value biochar via pyrolysis for water purification. The project also outlines the utilization of ashes generated during the process to manufacture alkali-based products, thereby strengthening the circular economy, resource efficiency, and the sustainable use of raw materials.

The proposal was developed as part of the competition’s challenges, allowing the students to apply industrial simulation tools used in real-world production environments. Both are in their final semester of Chemical Engineering and stood out among the winning teams in Latin America by achieving the region's highest score.

Working with Aspen technologies enables future chemical engineers to simulate and optimize industrial plants virtually, reducing costs and preventing operational risks before constructing actual processes. Furthermore, mastering these tools represents one of the most highly valued technological standards in the international job market, particularly within the energy, chemical, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The students' participation and performance reflect the high level of training and technical capabilities of ESPOL's academic community, recognized as Ecuador's #1 public university. Furthermore, it highlights the institution’s commitment to strengthening skills in innovation, sustainability, and technological development with a global impact.

This achievement also underscores the contribution of the Chemical Engineering program within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in training professionals capable of solving industrial and environmental challenges through innovation and the application of advanced technological tools. The students' participation in a high-level international competition demonstrates the academic and technical preparation the program drives in strategic areas for sustainable development and industry.

For those seeking a career tied to innovation, sustainability, process optimization, and technological development, Chemical Engineering at ESPOL offers an opportunity to engage in projects with international impact, applied research, and real-world challenges that connect academia with industry and the sustainable transformation of our environment.

For more information about the Chemical Engineering program, visit: