Brisbane-based climate tech startup Cyclion has upped the ante in its bid to develop its first commercial project in the Philippines after striking a partnership with government-owned investment group the National Development Company (NDC).
The partnership plans to roll out 18 Cyclion waste-to-energy facilities in Manilla by the end of 2026 in a major coup for the Australian company.
After launching a $1.5 million capital raising via an equity crowdfunding campaign in September, Cyclion announced it was negotiating with potential partners in the Philippines to build and operate a $150 million processing facility in Manila.
Through the partnership with NDC, Cyclion says it has accelerated its planned rollout in the Philippines to 18 modules in Manila followed by a national program that will include Quezon City and Caloocan City.
The move is part of Cyclion’s strategy to initially target South-East Asia for its waste-to-energy system, with nearly a third of the world's waste dumped throughout the region.
According to the National Solid Waste Management Commission, Quezon City is capable of producing 2.76 million tonnes per day of waste, while Manila and Caloocan City can produce 1.15 million tonnes per day and 1.23 million tonnes per day, respectively.
Cyclion plans to kick off its network of waste-to-energy plants in Manilla with a 50-tonne-per-day facility.
Co-founded by Philip Major and Stephen Burns in 2022, Cyclion says its revolutionary technology converts mixed waste materials such as plastics and organic waste into energy via ‘green chemistry’.
Major, who has been researching waste-to-energy technology since 2014, says the technology can convert environmentally destructive waste into energy.
"We are very fortunate to be partnered with the NDC and this partnership is a big step to fulfilling our vision of taking household rubbish and converting it into energy in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner," says Major, the CEO of Cyclion.
"The partnership will utilise our proprietary catalysts and processing technology to tackle a global issue and we're thrilled to have partnered with an organisation that shares our vision and belief in technology being good for the planet as well-being financially sustainable."
Cyclion and NDC have signed a letter of intent to bring Cyclion’s technology to the Philippines with the waste-to-energy technology deployed as modules that can be moved and redeployed to new areas as needed.
Cyclion’s process employs Cyclion Catalytic Fluid and uses a process that liquifies plastics and organic rubbish, converting it into fuel that can be used for vehicles or electricity production. The resulting carbon-dioxide produced is then processed through algae tanks and converted to oxygen.
The fuel produced is said to be more environmentally friendly, sustainable and profitable than existing fuel and energy sources.
The company says it converts plastics and general waste into a valuable commodity, providing an alternative to what it describes as inefficient waste management methods such as recycling.
"Cyclion falls well within NDC's investment criteria of pioneering, developmental, inclusive, sustainable and innovative,” says Antonilo DC. Mauricio, NDC’s general manager. “We are positive about our potential collaboration."
Meanwhile, Cyclion's equity crowdfunding campaign currently under way on the Birchal platform has currently raised about $460,000.
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