BEC Lab Launches, Redefining Sustainability - SPIK
BEC Lab launches in the Philippines, advancing sustainability through biodegradability, ecotoxicity, and compostability testing.
BEC Lab, DOST-ITDI, sustainability, biodegradable materials, ecotoxicity testing, compostability, eco-friendly packaging, circular economy, plastic pollution, environmental innovation
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20 Feb BEC Lab Launches, Redefining Sustainability

Posted at 10:17h in 2026 Events, SPIK News by
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On February 20, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology – Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) opened the Biodegradability, Ecotoxicity, and Compostability (BEC) Laboratory, a sustainable innovation giant leap in environmental innovation.

Director Annabelle V. Briones of DOST-ITDI, in her welcome remarks, mentioned the institution’s role as a “science-based, accurate, verifiable platform” to develop eco-friendly packaging solutions. “This facility, our first of its kind in the Philippines, promises to provide stringent validation of truly biodegradable materials and can help fill the credibility gaps and improve environmental accountability,” Dir. Briones said.

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr. presented a compelling keynote, countering negative perceptions of plastic: “It’s not inherently evil — our mismanagement is.” He highlighted the lab’s mission to address plastic pollution with scientifically based solutions that support a circular economy. 

The BEC Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities, which Project Leader Gelito Joseph Sikat discussed, from advanced testing for biodegradation rates, to ecotoxicological impacts, for materials that meet the global standards for sustainability. 

Deputy Executive Director Engr. Ninaliza Escorial of PCIEERD expressed institutional support, including opportunities to work as partners with industry partners. 

The ceremonial ribbon-cutting, led by Secretary Solidum Jr., represents the unity of a concerted spirit in innovation. Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Calzado Jr. and Director Briones joined him, highlighting DOST’s interdisciplinary bent toward environmental issues. 

Vice President Danrina Begonia, representing the SPIK, said the BEC Lab would be a “game changer” for the chemical industry. Collaborating with PPIA, UNIDO, and PARMS – an example of sector-wide adoption, which links research to industrial use. The lab’s data-driven framework enables manufacturers to shift to greener alternatives without sacrificing performance. 

Dr. Janet Quizon, ITDI ATS Deputy Director, concluded the event and claimed to have declared the lab to be a “beacon of responsible innovation.” As members explored the facility, palpable optimism filled the air — reflecting the Philippines’ progress toward a plastic-neutral future. The BEC Lab is not a place; it’s a manifesto for change.