Pinoy aeronautical engineer named in Top 10 Young Investors Prize 2025
Mark Kennedy Bantugon, 26, has developed the Pili Seal, an aircraft sealant and adhesive made from the agricultural waste of pili tree resin.
Pili Seal aims to reduce environmental impact by providing a safer alternative to traditional sealants and adhesives, some of which contain toxic petrochemicals.
The two-part sealant and adhesive can withstand fuel exposure, heat, and pressure. It also has the potential to be used in the construction, automotive, marine, and defense industries.
According to the European Patent Office, Pili Seal can repurpose the pili tree resin waste generated in the Philippines.
It noted that agricultural pili tree resin waste in the country, which primarily comes from the perfume and food industries, yields about 155 million kilograms annually.
Awarded last June 18 in Iceland, each of the 10 awardees receives 5,000 euros.
During the 2025 Young Investors Prize ceremony on the same day, Bantungon said he chose the pili tree resin because of its sticky characteristics and fragrance.
Bantungon also said that before getting the final output, he tried 84 formulas.
He also shared that he drew inspiration from his parents, who are farmers and were present during the event.
The Young Inventors Prize recognizes inventors under 30 years old who support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG).
Bantugon was selected from 450 candidates all over the world by an independent jury.
'By transforming agricultural waste into a high-performance sealant, Mark Kennedy Bantugon is directly contributing to UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure),' the European Patent Office said.
- Mariel Celine Serquiña ###
PHOTO: https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/young-inventors-prize?size=n_15_n
Video (52.42): https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/young-inventors-prize/2025-event?size=n_15_n
https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/press-centre/press-release/2025/1359873#:~:text=Filipino%20aeronautical%20engineer%20Mark%20Kennedy,EPO)%20on%2018%20June%202025
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