Philippine Startup Lesstics Transforms Coconut Husks into Eco-Friendly Building Boards
Lesstics, a Philippine green technology startup, is converting abundant discarded coconut husks into "Earth Board," a formaldehyde-free construction material. This initiative aims to provide new income streams for Filipino farmers while addressing agricultural waste and offering a sustainable alternative to conventional building materials.
Filipino green technology startup Lesstics, Inc. is transforming discarded coconut husks into Earth Board, an innovative, formaldehyde-free construction material. This initiative, spearheaded by founder and CEO Kenno Michael Uy, aims to address significant agricultural waste while creating new income opportunities for Filipino coconut farmers.
The Philippines, a major coconut producer with an average annual yield of 14 million tons of fruits, faces a challenge with vast quantities of fibrous husks that are often left unused or improperly disposed of. Historically, only about 5% of these husks have found commercial use, primarily in geonets for erosion control, as noted by Uy and corroborated by DOST-TAPI. Improper disposal can also lead to vector-borne risks in farming communities.
Earth Board utilizes these abundant husks, cutting them into uniform sizes and combining them with a plant-based binder before machine processing. The resulting boards are designed to offer high bonding and structural strength, insulation, and moisture resistance. Lesstics states that Earth Board is sturdier and more affordable than conventional cement boards, with a standard 4x8 foot board requiring approximately 164 to 168 coconut husks.
Lesstics currently collaborates with three farmer cooperatives in Davao and Lanao del Norte and plans to extend its network to cooperatives in Bicol, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quezon. The startup is also actively exploring international partnerships, having recently exhibited in Berlin, and is considering a potential deal with a German company seeking alternative raw materials, according to APACrealty. This global interest highlights the potential for Philippine sustainable technology on the international stage.
Key facts
- Philippine green technology startup Lesstics, Inc. is producing Earth Board, a formaldehyde-free construction material made from discarded coconut husks.
- The initiative aims to create new income for Filipino farmers and reduce agricultural waste, partnering with cooperatives in Davao and Lanao del Norte, with planned expansion.
- Earth Board offers superior bonding and structural strength, insulation, and moisture resistance, making it a more affordable and sturdy alternative to conventional cement boards.
- The Philippines yields an average of 14 million tons of coconut fruits annually, with large quantities of fibrous husks often improperly disposed of or burned, according to the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI).
Official sources
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