Filipino invention Pili Seal: The better deal in seal and adhesive product

Pili Seal, a Filipino invention used as a sealant and adhesive for aviation and construction industries, has been awarded around 20 Million pesos (USD 360,000) from seventy-five local and international competitions.  Pili Seal is a sustainable product made from the discarded material from Pili tree waste resin. 

“With 10 million tons of adhesive and sealant waste after usage, including packaging, being exposed to the environment annually, this invention ensures 100% safety and non-toxicity for users, including mechanics and technicians, as verified by rigorous toxicity testing,” Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon, the inventor of Pili Seal and the CEO & President of Pili AdheSeal Inc, a green technology company, said, in describing his invention’s sustainability features. 

Bantugon added that Pili Seal is designed for easy disposal and presents no environmental hazards throughout its lifecycle – meaning, from application to disposal. 

Pili Seal is a dual-function product that serves both as a sealant and an adhesive. As a sealant, it effectively seals gaps, holes, joints, or seams to prevent the leakages, and passage of air, water, dust, or other substances.  As an adhesive, it simultaneously bonds the materials together by creating a strong and durable connection between them.

This sustainable product upcycles agricultural waste annually as its primary ingredient, offering a cost-effective solution at least 25% cheaper than its nearest competitor.

Additionally, Pili Seal’s cartridge packaging is fully recyclable and refurbishable, and the residual sealant/adhesive can be converted into safe fertilizer.  Its simplified formulation process also contributes to sustainability by achieving approximately a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to chemical-based alternatives.

Commercially available sealants and adhesives are faced with several challenges, among which is the price increase of roughly 20 percent, because of the escalating costs of aw materials, energy costs, and regulatory and safety challenges; They also have performance and property issues specifically the moisture contamination and temperature and heat exposure which can reduce bond strength by up to 50% and degrade flexibility by 40%.  Workers' health is also a major concern, as some of the commercial sealants have a toxicity level of 100 ppm which can cause serious irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.  Nine  out of ten mechanics and technicians are reportedly affected by these high toxicity levels.

Pili Seal’s target market includes individuals for personal use; businesses requiring Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services; and the construction and packaging; electrical or electronics, industrial assembly, wood or furniture, and mobility or transportation industries, such as aviation, automotive, marine and others.

Engr. Bantugon, an Aeronautical Engineer who transformed Pili waste into a multi-awarded innovation, shared that he always considers resources (time, financial, workforce, and potential impact) when exploring or inventing something new.

With his invention, he aspires to establish the first local manufacturing production of aviation sealant and adhesive in the country, providing livelihood to at least 15,000 local Pili farmers, by offering them potential new income streams. 

Developing the product was challenging.  Engr. Bantugon faced numerous obstacles in finding the optimal formulation.  Pioneering this study, he lacked existing scientific research or literature, requiring extensive laboratory work.

This pushed him beyond his comfort zone since the invention represented a revolutionary approach in the field of the adhesive and sealant industry, one that uses waste material as the primary ingredient in formulating a hybrid sealant product.The inventor recounted working for 36 hours straight just to continue with the experimentation process, leading him to collapse and experience seizures.  His parents loaned him PHP 100,000.00 to complete  all the standard tests for this Pili Seal invention. 

“The support and guidance of my family, research advisers, friends, university, and public and private sectors, allowed me to really fulfill and finish this invention and now continuously represent the country for the different international competitions,” Engr. Bantugon acknowledged the harvest of all previous hard work.

Aside from his parents, professors, and mentors, the Pili Seal inventor was inspired by fellow Mapuan, Engr. Dado Banatao, whom he regards as a great inspiration, in the realms of innovation and entrepreneurship. 

“His humble beginnings and how he leveraged those experiences to create meaningful change in society serve as a powerful example.  A Filipino engineer, he pioneered the PC chip-set and graphics acceleration architecture, foundational technologies in today’s PCs, and is considered a visionary in Silicon Valley.  Both of us attended Mapúa University in the Philippines, and I believe that the spirit of being a world changer and catalyst for change truly runs in Mapuan blood,” Engr. Bantugon described a fellow Filipino who served as his inspiration.

Engr. Bantugon, a recipient of various Department of Science and Technology (DOST) programs and services, acknowledges DOST's and its agencies' instrumental support in his journey as an inventor and entrepreneur.  He specifically cites the invaluable assistance of the Technology Application Promotion Institute (TAPI), the Science Education Institute (SEI), the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), and the Industrial Technology Development Institute - Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ITDI-ADMATEL).  He also benefited from the SPICE Program's travel assistance, Grants and Assistance to Leverage Innovations for National Growth  (GALING) funding for invention improvement, and technical assistance from the Marketing Assistance Program (MAP).  And finally, as a Regional qualifier and National Invention Contest Exhibit (NICE) winner, he received a cash prize and the opportunity to showcase his inventions internationally.  This experience serves as a stepping stone for the NICE 2024 winners, who are now poised to make their mark on the global stage.

Pili Seal is among the twenty-three (23) DOST technologies showcased in the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Engr. Bantugon joined the event hoping to gain partnerships with groups, individuals, and organizations, secure additional funding support, and to strengthen the invention’s foundation through mentorship.  It seems that he was somehow able to achieve his goals as he said:

The Pili AdheSeal Inc. welcomes collaborations, partnerships, investments, and licensing opportunities.  Explore the future of Pili Seal with Pili AdheSeal Inc. Get in touch with Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon at markkennedy09bantugon@gmail.com/ pili.adheseal@gmail.com.