Mark Kennedy Bantugon

For decades, polysulfide-based sealants have been widely used in aviation to prevent fuel leaks. However, some of these products contain chemical components that can pose health risks to workers and environmental concerns.  During an internship at Lufthansa Technik Philippines, Bantugon observed the challenges related to sealant application. He also knew that the perfume industry produced large amounts of agricultural waste resin from Pili trees. This resin, while discarded as a by-product, contained natural adhesive properties that made it a strong candidate for an alternative sealant. Bantugon was inspired to work on a sealant that could meet the technical demands of aviation while also using a more sustainable material source. 

His research and development over several years culminated in Pili Seal, a two-part sealant and adhesive made by combining agricultural waste resin with a solvent and hardening agent. The material is designed to withstand fuel exposure, heat and pressure, making it suitable for aircraft fuel tanks as well as other high-performance applications. Pili Seal has undergone testing to meet the demanding conditions of the aviation industry, with evaluations conducted across many different properties. Notably, in flammability tests—critical for aviation safety—four formulations successfully met industry standards.  

Learning from nature, giving back to the community 

Having grown up in a farming community, Bantugon spent his childhood working with different crops, animals and waste materials, which gave him an early understanding of agricultural by-products. As a student, he conducted experiments with tree resins for adhesives and sealants, testing different plant-based materials before focusing on Pili tree resin due to its adhesive properties and availability as an industrial by-product.  

Developing Pili Seal required extensive trial and refinement. Bantugon battled to access labs, navigate industry regulations and secure funding. His parents took out a EUR 2 000 loan to help him complete the necessary safety tests. At one point, his dedication even affected his health, “I pushed myself to the limit—working through 84 formulations in just 36 hours. The exhaustion caused me to collapse and suffer a seizure.” 

Bantugon founded Pili AdheSeal Inc. in 2024 to commercialise Pili Seal. The company sources raw Pili resin from local farmers and then extract essential oils to supply the perfume industry, while repurposing the agricultural waste resin for sealant and adhesive production. In addition to providing farmers with additional income, the company’s waste management strategy ensures that sealant residuals are processed into organic fertilizer. It also offers a recycling program for product cartridges and encourages businesses and customers to return used packaging through incentive-based initiatives. 

Towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

Pili Seal supports SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) by promoting sustainable industrial innovation and using agricultural waste to develop a locally sourced, eco-friendly sealant and adhesive.