Joselito Malig

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<p>REYKJAVÍK, Iceland (UPDATED) - A Filipino inventor has been recognized as one of the top 10 innovators of this year’s “Young Inventors Prize” - known as the “Tomorrow Shapers” - by developing sustainable aircraft sealant and adhesive made from agricultural waste of Pili tree resin. </p><p>The European Patent Office (EPO) said it has awarded Filipino aeronautical engineer Mark Kennedy Bantugon as one of the top 10 winners in this year’s Young Inventors Prize on June 18 in Iceland. </p><p>It recognizes outstanding achievements by inventors aged 30 and under whose work supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</p><p>Bantugon has developed Pili Seal, a bio-based alternative derived from the agricultural waste of Pili tree resin. The material, an aircraft sealant and adhesive, aims to improve workplace safety in the aviation industry and reduce environmental impact while offering a locally sourced, biodegradable option.</p><p>&quot;My mother, a public-school teacher, helped me understand the value of a strong and well-rounded education. My father, as a farmer, introduced me to the farm as a training ground—a place where I learned about different plants, animals, trees, and, most importantly, the potential in waste materials,&quot; Bantugon said.</p><p>Bantugon experimented with resins from six different trees before selecting Pili tree resin. </p><p>The resin’s natural stickiness offers ideal adhesive properties, while its fragrant odor makes it easy to work with, especially in confined spaces. Overcoming multiple challenges, he refined 84 different formulations before achieving the final composition. To commercialize his sealant, Bantugon founded Pili AdheSeal Inc. in 2024. </p><p>The Pili Seal is 14 times cheaper than its comparable product, and it’s also sustainable and non-toxic.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/business/09/07/23/pinoy-inventor-eyes-business-on-pili-based-aircraft-sealant">Pinoy inventor eyes business on Pili-based aircraft sealant</a></div><p>The 10 winners were selected by an independent jury from over 450 candidates worldwide, each receiving EUR 5,000.</p><p>EPO is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe. Headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin, Brussels, The Hague and Vienna, the EPO was founded with the aim of strengthening co-operation on patents in Europe. Through the EPO&#x27;s centralized patent granting procedure, inventors are able to obtain high-quality patent protection in up to 46 countries, covering a market of some 700 million people.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable fr-active" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tDOwC2iBpEA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A Filipino inventor has been recognized as one of the top 10 innovators of this year’s “Young Inventors Prize” - known as the “Tomorrow Shapers” - by developing sustainable aircraft sealant and adhesive made from agricultural waste of Pili tree resin.</p>

A Filipino inventor has been recognized as one of the top 10 innovators of this year’s “Young Inventors Prize” - known as the “Tomorrow Shapers” - by developing sustainable aircraft sealant and adhesive made from agricultural waste of Pili tree resin.

Filipino inventor awarded in Top 10 ‘Young Inventors Prize’ in Iceland

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Filipino inventor awarded in Top 10 ‘Young Inventors Prize’ in Iceland

ABS-CBN News,

Maricel Burgonio

Published Jun 27, 2025 05:51 PM PHT

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Updated Jun 30, 2025 01:29 PM PHT

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Pili Seal

Mark Kennedy Bantugon

Young Investors Prize

Iceland

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