DOST-funded Startup wins Top Ten Innovators Award

A Department of Science and Technology – Business Innovation through S&T for Industry Program (DOST-BIST) funded startup wins the Grand Prize in the Business Innovation Category, Top Ten Innovators (TTI) of the Shell liveWIRE (SLW) global.

Nanotronics is a Philippine-based clean tech startup pioneering the production of sustainable nanomaterials derived from highly renewable indigenous plants for various industrial application. Through Nanotronics project with DOST-BIST, the company’s nanotechnology materials are being used to develop and produce sustainable material solutions for packaging application intended for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. Its nanomaterials are intentionally not sourced from trees nor food-based plants to allow full sustainability of its feedstock.

The win of Nanotronics is a historic moment for the Philippines as it is the first time in the 40-year history of SLW TTI to have a winner from the Philippines. This also opens opportunities for the winner to have access to global market and support from SLW global.

This award is designed to highlight and reward impactful Shell LiveWIRE entrepreneurs who are making positive contributions toward social impact, environmental sustainability, and business innovation. Nanotronics won amidst 203 entries coming from 22 countries globally. The names and business summary and impact along with the rest of the 2022 TTI candidates may be viewed in this link: https://www.livewire.shell/top-ten-innovators.html

Nanotronics was also the inaugural Grand Tech Winner of SLW Philippines in 2020 besting 154 tech startups in the country. It was in 2020 that the SLW was first launched in the Philippines despite its long existence in 17 countries globally.

The selected feedstock for the nanomaterial products is highly renewable as it can be grown and harvested almost yearly. However, paper per se as packaging material has inherent weaknesses lacking mechanical strength and barrier properties. The startup’s nanomaterial products enable mechanical strength and barrier properties on paper in packaging while maintaining the full biodegradability of the final paper-based packaging product. Likewise, the final product can decompose at ambient temperature and without industrial intervention. More so, the same nanomaterial products have enabled the startup to recently produce its biobased and biodegradable plastic, which is intended as an alternative for single-use plastic.

The win was announced in the 2022 TTI virtual and global awarding ceremony held last November 15, 2022, and published via the Shell liveWIRE website on November 16, 2022.  Interested Filipino companies who wish to avail the DOST-BIST funding may send their inquiries to the Science for Change Program – Project Management Office, with office address at Department of Science and Technology 2/F ADMATEL Bldg., DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City.  They may also send an email at s4c.ousecrd@dost.gov.ph or call the S4C – PMO at (+632) 8837-2943 / 8837-2071 local 2510 or visit the S4C Facebook page at @dost.s4cp.