Waste-to-energy technology gets the go-ahead in the Philippines

Australian waste-to-energy startup Cyclion has announced a joint venture with the Philippines’ National Development Company (NDC). Along with the formation of a new entity, Cyclion Philippines, the NDC is investing US$3 million as announced in a letter of intent signed in October 2023.

The new memorandum of understanding was signed between NDC General Manager Antonilo Mauricio and Philip Major, CEO of Cyclion, and witnessed by President Marcos on 4 March in Melbourne.

Cyclion Philippines is now established and is accelerating Cyclion’s plans for building the first processing plant to be operating in the country by the end of 2024. The first plant will initially be a proof of concept, before transitioning to a research and development facility working on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In the US alone, over 1.5 billion barrels of fuel are required for aviation per year, representing a vast market potential.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, has continually emphasised the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable progress and green innovation. Under Marcos’s leadership, the government is pioneering renewable energy solutions, steering the Philippines towards a brighter, greener future amidst the global shift towards sustainability.

“As we look to the future, it is imperative that we forge stronger ties with Australia's public and private sectors, leveraging our collective expertise and resources to propel growth and innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, education, critical minerals and clean energy,” said Alfredo E Pascual, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The NDC is facilitating the commercialisation of the innovative technology created by Cyclion. Cyclion is changing the treatment of household waste with a process that does not involve burning but instead employs a sophisticated soaking method. With the support of the NDC, Cyclion is able to bring the technology to the Philippines at the end of 2024.

The joint venture will establish the first Cyclion facility in Manilla, which will make use of modular construction to process 900 tonnes of waste per day and turn it into fuel or electricity.

“Our joint efforts are not only advancing waste management solutions, but are also contributing to fulfilling national objectives of energy security and sustainability,” Mauricio said. “This partnership reflects the NDC’s dedication to serving the Philippines and its people. Together, Cyclion and the NDC are navigating the path towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

“The NDC’s strategic investment in Cyclion is a resounding endorsement of Cyclion’s groundbreaking approach to waste management,” Major said. “Cyclion and the NDC are actively engaging with all levels of government, collaborating with international engineering firms, fostering partnerships with local industries and participating in collaborative research efforts with international institutions. We are reshaping waste management with sustainable solutions that hold tremendous potential and welcome the proactive approach of the Philippine government and the partnership that is being established.”

While waste is an issue in every country, Cyclion has chosen to focus its efforts on bringing its technology solutions to Asia and Southeast Asia, where much of the world’s waste is exported and dumped in open landfills. In the Philippines alone, one-third of the world’s plastic waste has been distributed. Cyclion’s revolutionary technology could be a critical factor in bridging the gap between waste collection organisations and the need for more sophisticated recycling technologies.

Image credit: iStock.com/sutiporn