Alcom has officially launched the Philippines’ first Combined Heat Power BiocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More & BioOil (CHPBB) facility, located in Mindoro. This state-of-the-art “Electrochar” unit utilizes rice husks and straw to produce biochar, bio-oil, electricity, and heat—delivering a “super-circular” solution for agricultural waste. All outputs are valorized: biochar is refined into biofertilizer and used locally, while excess gas is converted into bio-oil and electricity to support local industries.

The facility is the first in a series to be developed under the Global Green Growth Institute’s (GGGI) $45 million Green Transition Investment Program (GTIP), which promotes low-carbon rice farming. The initiative is backed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, the Philippine National Development Company, and the Board of Investments.

Over the course of the project, Alcom aims to produce 64,000 metric tons of biochar annually, leading to the sequestration of over 1 million metric tons of CO₂. In addition, the program is expected to generate clean energy and more than 1,000 green jobs across the country.

The launch event, held March 24–26, included stakeholders from GGGI, international agencies, and local institutions. Notably, Alcom is working with the University of the Philippines Los Baños to develop a technical vocational curriculum, ensuring a skilled workforce for the green transition.

This milestone reflects a significant move toward scalable, circular economy solutions to support the Philippines’ sustainable development goals.