Menu
Milestones that set the course
Last year, LATU and Latitud—our research, development and innovation foundation—played leading roles in several key moments for Uruguay’s sustainable development. We invite you to discover 12 of them and see how we are helping build the Uruguay of the future.
1. Launch of the new 2025–2030 Strategic Plan for LATU and Latitud, and renewal of LATU’s Board and General Management
We defined and presented our new strategic plan for 2025–2030, structured around four pillars: strengthen institutional autonomy; be a benchmark in innovation; enhance efficiency and communication; and consolidate organizational culture. The process was highly participatory and set our institutional course to 2030.
A new board took office at the start of the year, reinforcing capabilities in technical areas and sustainable development. In December, we welcomed a new General Manager of LATU, strengthening commercial capabilities and new‑business development.
2. Over 60 years supporting the dairy value chain
Our work spans the entire chain—from certification and regulatory monitoring to innovation, metrology and technology transfer.
In 2025 we consolidated five fundamental pillars that directly impact Uruguayans’ health and quality of life:
- certification and regulatory monitoring
- applied innovation, development and research
- quality infrastructure and metrology
- international recognition and technical exchanges
- technology transfer to the sector
Among the main projects launched is Vitamin B12, where a LATU and Latitud team is analyzing vitamin B12 concentration in milk—the first effort of its kind in Uruguay. The results will help position Uruguayan milk on international markets by adding value through a key nutritional attribute.
3. Progress with focus on the client
- We installed an automatic pulp refiner used by the pulp industry for pre‑export testing. With this equipment, industry gains data closer to the final product in the paper chain, making us one of the few laboratories worldwide to offer this service.
- We reduced issuance times for certificates for imported foods and beverages by 20%, to a maximum of 10 business days.
- With a new self‑service option, we doubled the hours for sample reception.
4. Support for MSMEs and a boost to internationalization
We launched three programs for micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises:
Avanza Mypes (with the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay)
- 370 participation instances
- 81 companies trained
- Coverage in 18 departments
- 4/5 satisfaction from companies and technical teams
Mype Exporta (with the Uruguayan Exporters Union)
- 200+ MSMEs engaged
- 91 companies trained
- Presence in 8 departments plus virtual sessions
- 97% satisfaction
Uruguay to the World – within Uruguay Innova, with ANDE, Uruguay XXI and MIEM
- Projected to reach 130+ projects
- To be implemented in 2026 and 2027
5. Alliances to strengthen export competitiveness and position Uruguay as a responsible producer internationally
Together with the Uruguayan Exporters Union, the Sustainable Management Seal added 10 newly recognized companies, reaching a total of 26 that represent about 20% of the country’s goods exports.
6. Applied science with impact
Latitud cemented its role as a key ally to the productive sector, focusing on solving real‑world challenges.
Highlights include:
Livestock: Sustainable management of water resources with a focus on water quality for cattle, applying previously developed tools to:
- strengthen the livestock and agricultural industries and contribute to the sector’s sustainable growth;
- improve animal and environmental health and its impact on human health;
- increase international competitiveness.
Grains: Together with Latitud, we signed an agreement with URUPOV to develop an artificial intelligence tool that automates the identification of crops and soybean varieties nationwide, improving efficiency and traceability in agricultural production.
Rice: In 2025, work within rice technology networks advanced with a project to nutritionally characterize different types of Uruguayan rice and to assess the effect of parboiling and cooking conditions.
7. Progress in the circular economy for recycled plastics
From the Plastics Technology Center:
- 17 companies certified under +CIRCULAR
- 10 R&D&I projects executed
- Co‑led, with MIEM, the Plastics Sectoral Hub within the development of the National Industrial Policy to 2050
8. Science for all
Espacio Ciencia, our interactive science museum, received over 50,000 visits—70% students and 30% visitors from vulnerable sectors—with free admission.
We surpassed 2 million total visits since opening, helping inspire scientific vocations across generations of children and youth.
9. Startups that scale
Ingenio, LATU’s business incubator, strengthened its role as a key player in Uruguay’s innovation ecosystem.
In 2025, five new companies graduated from its incubation program, in areas such as software, artificial intelligence, education, e‑commerce and mobility.
Since its founding in 2001, it has incubated more than 100 startups, generating over 1,500 jobs and exporting to 40 countries.
10. Technology to reduce our energy footprint and be more efficient
We implemented technology that saves resources, reduces our energy footprint, and improves efficiency:
- Commissioning of a second reverse osmosis (RO) plant: aligned with efficient use of internal resources. Two existing on‑site wells (from 1978 and 2011) supply the water that replaces OSE‑supplied consumption. This yields significant savings on the water bill and provides an independent supply in the face of water crises like the one in 2023.
- Improvements to hot‑water generation control systems: re‑engineering of the original control systems by incorporating adaptive controls that optimize energy use.
- Replacement of distillation equipment: 100% of the traditional water distillers in the laboratories (M5 and M6) were replaced with RO units. This results in significant energy savings (both electricity and steam) and reduced process water use.
11. Innovation in action
LATU’s Innovation Park consolidated its role as the national hub for the knowledge economy, bringing together companies and organizations from the technology, education and innovation spheres.
Six new companies joined the community in 2025, which now includes 98 organizations and firms.
With more coordination and more capabilities, we build more future.
12. Modernization of the certification of Uruguayan wool
In 2025, LATU presented a proposal to modernize the certification of Uruguayan wool to the International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO), aligning the country with international standards and strengthening the sector’s competitiveness. In doing so, LATU reaffirms its commitment to the continuous improvement of certification processes and to supporting the country’s productive sectors.
With their permanent commitment, LATU and Latitud turn knowledge into impact—with quality, safety, and sustainability—serving industry and Uruguayan consumers. They drive innovation to deliver tangible results that contribute to the country’s development, strengthening the economy and cooperation between the public and private sectors.
