The Brisbane-based startup has partner with the NDC to bring their world-first Proprietary Catalytic technology to the Philippines and convert plastics and biomass into electricity and energy.

Cyclion – an Australian climate tech startup – has signed a Letter of Intent with The the? National Development Company (NDC) — the Philippine’s leading state-owned enterprise investing in diverse industries, serving as an effective catalyst for inclusive growth. The LOI serves as an anchor for Cyclion to establish recycling programs in the Philippines and bring the company’s waste-to-energy technology.

The partnership opens doors for Cyclion to open new Cyclion processing  facilities across the country, the first of which is slated to begin construction at the end of 2024 to process 50 tonnes per day (TPD). The Brisbane-based startup has identified South East Asia as the key area for their first waste-to-energy plant, with nearly a third of the world's waste dumped throughout the region.

Following the 50 TPD plant, Cyclion is already in talks with private enterprises in the Philippines to establish a AU$150M recycling plant in Manila which will be able to process 900 tonnnes of waste everyday once fully operational. The plant is set to begin construction in 2025.

Cyclion’s technology utilises proprietary catalysts specially designed to convert mixed waste materials such as plastics and organic waste into energy using an innovative new technology referred to as ’Cyclion Catalytic Fluid’ (CCF) method. The process liquifies plastics and organic rubbish without pre-treatment to convert it into fuel or electricity. It is this special catalytic reaction which can revolutionise waste to energy as we currently know it. This is because traditionally there is a significant amount of pre-treatment required which typically relies on heat energy to dry the waste and mechanical energy to shred it, and then primarily using heat or pressure to treat it. The Cyclion technology does not burn the rubbish, but rather soaks it in the special catalyst, enabling the liquefaction to occur at a relatively low temperature of 310oC and atmospheric pressure.

The NDC has played a key role in creating economic and sustainable opportunities for individuals and businesses across industries, opening new opportunities for employment, training, and economic growth. The partnership with Cyclion will may? allow government bodies and officials of the Philippines to reduce the country's dependence on imported fuel and remove the influence of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on fuel prices.

“We believe that the Project falls well within NDC's investment criteria of pioneering, developmental, inclusive, sustainable, and innovative. We are positive about our potential collaboration,” said Antonilo DC. Mauricio, General Manager of the NDC.

Cyclion is intends to construct a 50 tonne per day demonstration model towards the end of 2024. Once that is operational, the full commercial project is slated to begin development in early 2025. This will see Cyclion (and its affiliated international subcontractors) design, develop and operate the project. The new energy plant will transform 900 tons of waste per day into diesel that can be sold at fuel stations across the country.

“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,” said Philip Major, Founder and 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 as profits.”

The booming waste to energy market is expected to surpass $68 billion annually by 2030 and Cyclion is poised to receive their share of the market after years of research and development to create their innovative technology. In line with the partnership agreement with the NDC, Cyclion has also launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Birchal.

The system works like a washing machine, taking mixed waste and running it through various catalytic cycles. At each cycle the waste is liquified and degraded until in the end all that’s left is inorganic matter – solid glass or metals – that can be separated and recovered. What’s been degraded becomes an oil that can then be further processed as fuel or used to generate electricity.

Cyclion’s technology could be a key factor in bridging the gap between waste collection organisations and effectively recycling household rubbish. Cyclion estimates that the 12,350 tonnes of plastic waste stockpiled by RedCycle following their collapse could be broken down by a fully operational Cyclion plant in around two weeks. The result would be 2 million litres of diesel fuel, and could fill the tanks of around 30,000 cars.

For Australians interested in investing in a key player in the world's recycling economy, Cyclion’s crowdfunding campaign on Birchal is live now and open for Expressions of Interest.