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What is Andes?
What is Andes and what inspired its creation?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - Andes was born from a shared vision to harness the power of nature's smallest organisms to tackle one of humanity's greatest challenges: climate change. Growing up in Chile, I witnessed firsthand how climate change was impacting food production, a cornerstone of our country’s economy and a lifeline for local communities. This experience deeply shaped my desire to find solutions that could make a real, tangible impact.
My journey began in biotechnology, where I focused on creating recombinant proteins, but my passion for agriculture and climate solutions took a new direction after meeting Dr. Bernardo Gonzalez. His groundbreaking work on plant-microbe interactions opened my eyes to the immense potential of microbes in agriculture and climate mitigation. Together, we envisioned a way to use these microorganisms not just to enhance crop yields but also to capture and store carbon in the soil, helping to reverse climate change.
Around this time, I partnered with Tania Timmerman, who shared the same urgency to combat climate change and improve food systems. Tania, with her extensive expertise and deeply rooted passion for sustainability, brought invaluable insights to our founding journey. Her strategic vision and dedication to addressing global challenges have been instrumental in shaping Andes into what it is today.
Our mission at Andes is not only about carbon removal but also about creating a positive impact for farmers and fostering a diverse, innovative team. Together, with a global team representing nine countries, we’re working to transform agriculture and make a meaningful contribution to solving the climate crisis.
CDR & Soil Health
How do you balance large-scale carbon dioxide removal with maintaining soil health?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - At Andes, we see carbon dioxide removal and soil health as two sides of the same coin. Our microbial technology not only removes CO₂ by forming soil inorganic carbon but actually enhances long-term soil health in the process. The soil inorganic carbon and associated minerals play a key role in stabilizing organic matter and improving the availability of soil nutrients, both of which are critical for plant development. They also improve soil structure, which helps with water retention, root penetration, and aeration while reducing soil erosion and pathogen pressure. It’s a win-win for the environment and agriculture.
We’ve been running field trials for over four years (and a commercial program for two years) to ensure our technology is not only effective but safe for the soil and surrounding ecosystems. In every trial, we monitor key indicators of soil health—like pH, organic matter, and nutrient content—and compare them against control plots. So far, the results have been overwhelmingly positive. Plus, we’ve received greenlights from the USDA and State-level Agricultural Departments for the use of our microbes, giving us and our partners confidence in both the safety and sustainability of our approach. This isn’t just about removing carbon; it’s about doing so in a way that supports farmers and the land they depend on.
BCG Partnership
Congratulations on your recent partnership with Boston Consulting Group! How does it feel to have BCG—a global powerhouse—trusting Andes with their carbon goals?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - Thank you! We are truly honored and thrilled to partner with Boston Consulting Group, a global leader that has demonstrated a deep commitment to meaningful climate action. Having BCG, one of the top 10 global buyers of durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR), place their trust in Andes is a testament to the potential of our microbial carbon removal technology. It feels incredibly validating to see our vision for scalable, high-quality CDR solutions resonate with a company of BCG’s stature.
This partnership, facilitated by ClimeFi, is a pivotal moment for Andes. It not only reinforces the importance of durable carbon removals in achieving global climate targets but also underscores the critical role of innovation in unlocking new pathways for carbon management. Together with BCG, we’re taking bold steps to drive measurable climate impact, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey.
Farming Integration
How do your technologies integrate with existing farming practices?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - At Andes, we make it easy for farmers to adopt our technology without disrupting their current operations. Our microorganisms can be applied using the same equipment and methods farmers already use, like seed coatings or in-furrow applications during planting. There’s no need for them to change their practices or invest in new tools—our liquid inoculant works seamlessly with their conventional seeding equipment. Plus, we handle all the carbon program costs, including soil sampling, analysis, and verification. This simplicity is why we don’t need to spend much on marketing the program to farmers—it speaks for itself, making it a win-win for both farmers and the planet!
CDR Mircoorganisms
Can you elaborate on how Andes microorganisms lock CO₂ durably in the soil?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - We utilize a process called bio-mineralization to permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. Our microorganisms are applied to agricultural fields where they interact with plant roots in the rhizosphere, an area naturally rich in CO₂ due to plant respiration. This elevated CO₂ concentration creates the ideal environment for the microbes to perform their work.
The process begins with the microbes converting CO₂ into bicarbonate through enzymatic activity. Simultaneously, they accelerate the weathering of silicate minerals, releasing calcium and other cations into the soil. These cations then combine with the bicarbonate to form stable carbon compounds. This approach not only captures and stores carbon durably but also enhances soil structure, nutrient availability, and overall soil health, making it a practical and scalable solution for both climate action and sustainable agriculture.
Technology
How do you envision Andes Bio’s technology evolving over the next decade?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - At Andes, we see ourselves evolving into a one-stop shop for sustainability solutions tailored to the needs of companies. Today, our microbial technology is helping large food and agricultural corporations address their Scope 3 emissions on farms while providing durable, high-quality carbon offsets for industries like big tech. Over the next decade, we envision expanding this capability to offer an integrated platform that supports companies in achieving their decarbonization goals affordably and at scale.
Looking ahead, we also see immense potential to develop new products leveraging microbial solutions to tackle broader sustainability challenges. Andes is uniquely positioned to lead in microbial climate solutions due to our proprietary platform for screening and identifying the most effective microbes for specific use cases, as well as our strong relationships with global corporate leaders like Bayer, Cargill, and Yamaha Motor.
CDR Challenges
What's the biggest challenge facing CDR’s nature-based/ science-based solutions, and what is required to scale and solve them in 2024?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - The biggest challenge for scaling nature-based and science-based CDR solutions is creating a rigorous MRV system that can scale efficiently across millions of acres. At Andes, we’re addressing this by advancing modeling and soil spectroscopy as a scalable alternative to traditional soil sampling. By streamlining this process, we can measure and monitor carbon removal more efficiently while maintaining the accuracy and credibility that rigorous MRV demands.
Message for Innovators
What message would you share with aspiring innovators seeking to make a difference in climate tech?
Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz - The key to making a difference in climate tech is finding your passion and connecting it to tangible impact. Growing up in Chile, I saw firsthand the effects of climate change, and moving to the U.S. allowed me to scale solutions at the intersection of biology and climate—my greatest passion. Lean into what excites you, whether it’s microbes, energy, or materials, and focus on solutions that can scale globally.
I’d also encourage embracing diverse perspectives and acting boldly. Climate challenges are global, and the best ideas often come from collaboration across disciplines and cultures. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start small, learn fast, and commit to building impactful solutions.
