Heaptalk, Jakarta — Singapore-based climate tech startup WasteX reached another milestone by seizing US$450,000 in funds from the P4G Partnership. The team plans to allocate this capital to advance biochar production facilities in various locations in Indonesia through partnerships with local mills and poultry farms, expecting to reach more farmers.
The startup has stepped in to simplify the adoption process of biochar in agriculture by offering an end-to-end integrated biochar solution consisting of its proprietary equipment, mobile app, full implementation, support with biochar application in agriculture, and carbon credit facilitation to maximize the benefits for agricultural producers and farmers.
As is known, WasteX invests, develops, and operates the facilities while the mills provide biomass converted into biochar. A significant portion of the biochar will be distributed for free to local farmers, alongside training programs to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate biochar into their agricultural practices.
Commenting on this investment, the Founder and CEO of WasteX, Pawel Kuznicki, explained that the P4G Partnership funds also support the partnership’s engagement with national policy-making and market development, aiming to facilitate the development of a favorable regulatory and commercial environment that would help the growth and adoption of the innovation.
WasteX’s biochar progress and further plans
The startup has successfully deployed two biochar facilities, the first at a rice mill in Tarlac, the Philippines, as of November 2023. Biochar produced at the facility will be distributed and applied to the farms within the mill’s extensive network in the next planting cycle, intending to support local rice production and foster long-term sustainability by encouraging rising generations to embrace the agricultural sector.
In the archipelago, WasteX partnered with a corn mill in Pasuruan, East Java, to develop a larger-scale biochar facility, which launched production in February 2024. The startup manufactures its equipment for multiple local and international clients and continues enhancing its partner facilities in Indonesia.
Using the high-quality biochar produced by the equipment, the company has already completed numerous biochar implementations on diverse crops across Indonesia and the Philippines, demonstrating impressive results.
WasteX’s biochar application in corn farming resulted in a remarkable 95% increase in yield while reducing fertilizer by 50% compared to the typical practice. Similarly, with biochar application, rice yields increased by 38%, with the potential for long-term fertilizer reductions of 25 to 50%.
Looking ahead, this climate tech remains focused on maximizing the robust network of biochar facilities across Indonesia. Simultaneously, the team actively discusses with numerous potential partners throughout SEA, exploring opportunities to integrate its biochar solutions into its operations.
To propel this growth, WasteX anticipates an equity fundraising round in the second half of 2024, further solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the biochar revolution and empowering a more sustainable future for SEA’s agriculture.
