MANILA, 5 NOVEMBER 2024 – Climate tech venture builder Wavemaker Impact has launched Numat, a new venture focused on transforming bamboo processing with sustainable practices. With a fresh investment of US$525,000, Numat is set to lead the way in the primary processing of bamboo, putting nature and community first.
Numat’s mission is to transform raw bamboo into sustainable products, starting with primary processing to establish a strong foundation. As the company grows, it plans to take on larger projects with a commitment to both environmental responsibility and social impact. Bamboo has an enormous potential for reducing carbon emissions—it absorbs around 4.6 tons of CO2 for every ton harvested, making it a powerful tool against climate change.
As Southeast Asia’s pioneering climate tech venture builder, Wavemaker Impact partners with experienced entrepreneurs to launch sustainability startups, with the goal of reducing 10% of the global carbon budget by 2035. Each startup that Wavemaker Impact builds is a ‘100×100’ company—with the potential to abate 100 million metric tons of CO2e and generate US$100 million revenue per year.
A key part of Numat’s vision, led by CEO Mark Sebastian, includes the world’s first mobile unit for processing of bamboo into pre-processed inputs such as bamboo slats. This innovative approach allows Numat to set up bamboo processing directly at harvest sites and easily relocate to new sites. As a result, the company can bring sustainable income opportunities to rural landowners, creating a flexible and efficient operation. Sebastian has also created the BambooPreneur Program, a partnership model for landowners, allowing them to join Numat through a franchise-style system. This program provides landowners with everything they need to run their own bamboo processing operations using Numat’s BambPro System, much like the simple, streamlined processes of fast food franchise brands.
Today, Numat has the capacity to enable the replanting of 5,000 new bamboo seedlings weekly to advance to sustainable growth and development of bamboo plantations across the region. In the 2 months since its inception, Numat has delivered its first 3 orders of bamboo poles totalling 1,260 poles of the Tinik and Asper variety. By the close of 2024, Numat will also complete its first deliveries of:
- 12,500 rough slats to a local offtaker
- The first batch of fully treated and finished slates to an international offtaker
“Our reason for being is not only to help the planet but to uplift communities that need it most,” said Mark Sebastian, Founder & CEO of Numat. “Thanks to Wavemaker Impact’s support, Numat is able to strengthen our operations, support our hardworking ‘Numatians’ (bamboo harvesters) on the ground, and provide returns to our investors for a lasting, positive impact.”
“Bamboo is one of the most compelling nature based solutions we have in the fight against climate change and provides an effective alternative to less sustainable construction materials. We’re excited to support Numat on its journey in building bamboo processing capabilities that not only improves local communities welfare but also delivers positive environmental impact through carbon sequestration,” says Marie Cheong, Founder Partner, Wavemaker Impact. “We believe that bamboo material from the Philippines can be cost competitive with exports from around the world. We look forward to more innovations that Mark and his team will bring from the Philippines to the wider region.”
Numat is focused on building reliable and efficient bamboo processing capabilities, introducing innovative techniques and establishing a dependable supply chain. Their overarching goal is to promote bamboo as a sustainable material, true to their motto: “From nature, for nature.”
As part of their commitment to the planet, Numat is open to partnerships with other businesses and organisations aligned with their mission. They welcome interested groups to join them in advancing environmental protection and community development.
About Numat
Numat (short for “New Material”) is a Philippines-based bamboo processing company. By operating in harmony with nature and prioritizing innovation, Numat aims to become a leader in alternative materials, fostering a positive impact on both the environment and underserved communities. Today, Numat is Southeast Asia’s first provider of mobile bamboo processing units that are able to convert bamboo poles – at the harvest site – into a variety of pre-processed formats for bamboo processors worldwide.
In the picture: The Numat team harvesting Giant Asper (Dendrocalamus asper) and Tinik (Bambusa blumeana) Bamboo Poles in the Philippines for processing and delivery.
