DR. MICHAEL Francis Benjamin, a professor from the University of Santo Tomas, was this year’s recipient of the Dr. Michael Purvis Award for Sustainability Research given by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

He was recognized for his work on integrated biorefineries handling agricultural waste during the 72nd PhilASST National Convention.

IBRs are biomass-processing plants that produce multiple products in the form of biofuels, power and chemicals.

The group said Benjamin’s work was “essential in assisting our country to achieve energy security and economic sustainability through circular economic approaches.”

“The development of IBRs in the country is a circular economy and sustainability approach. His work provides a reference for creating an IBR using local feedstock, thereby valorizing agricultural residues. The utilization of agricultural waste in the country is vital as this could improve energy security by producing biofuels and bioenergy products,” it added.

“Other benefits include increasing farmers’ revenue and reducing poverty incidence due to job creation, an ideal scenario in developing countries. The results from his study are used as input to the Policy Brief Series being prepared by the National Research Council of the Philippines entitled ‘Achieving Energy Sustainability Through Integrated Biorefineries,’” PhilASST said.