Tech watch: We review the latest circular innovations

From the newsletter

Since July, several innovations have emerged seeking to advance the global circular economy. Circular Rising highlights three of them that stand out for their anticipated impact. They include a plastic-based technology to improve infrastructure resilience in Africa, a waste-to-fertiliser solution, and a wastewater innovation to boost hydrogen production.

• Two of the innovations are already in application in Africa, while one is being tested globally but holds potential to revolutionise Africa’s circular economy sector.

• The innovations aim to convert Africa’s specialised waste burdens into valuable resources that could help scale the continent’s ambitions.

More details

• Among the innovations is a recycled plastic technology that is set to be deployed in road construction and maintenance across Africa to boost climate resilience. The material, known as PET Asphalt Concrete, has been under testing in Kenya since May and is now scheduled for scaling up to other countries with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

• Developed by the Japanese consortium comprising Shimizu Corporation, Kao Corporation and the Nippon Road Company, the PET Asphalt Concrete technology, comprises reinforced asphalt mixture with recycled PET plastic materials. According to AfDB, the innovation “ demonstrates strong potential to enhance sustainability in Africa’s road maintenance sector, while supporting circular economy principles.” 

• The technology could transform road infrastructure in Africa where most of the roads are made from conventional asphalt concrete. The concrete is a combination of bitumen binder and stone aggregates, which is sensitive to weather conditions . As a result, the continent is projected to experience the highest road damage from climate change globally. However, unlike conventional asphalt concrete, the PET Asphalt technology is more stable and resistant to weather events due to the strong binding properties of PET.

• Meanwhile, US-based Easy Environmental Solutions has developed EasyFEN™, a proprietary waste-to-fertiliser technology, with Kenya being the first African country to deploy it.  The technology addresses a critical need in the region, where agriculture is a key economic activity and organic waste volumes are high.

• The innovation is modular and designed to process up to 17,500 tonnes of organic waste annually, producing around 2.7 million gallons of microbial fertiliser. According to the company, the fertiliser can reduce water requirements by up to 20%. With two gallons per acre supplying 45–60 lbs of nitrogen and 15–20 lbs of phosphorus, a single unit could treat roughly 1.35 million acres annually.

• On the research front, scholars from Australia’s RMIT University have developed an experimental innovation that seeks to turn wastewater into a valuable resource for green hydrogen production. Unlike conventional methods, which require purified water, this innovation leverages the contaminants in wastewater to boost hydrogen generation, making it ideal for water-scarce regions.

• According to the lead researcher, Professor Nasir Mahmood, the technology, in the form of electrodes, works by harnessing metals naturally present in partially treated wastewater, including platinum, chromium and nickel, to enhance green hydrogen production. 

• The carbon used in the electrodes is derived from agricultural waste, making the technology  not only cost-effective but also aligned with circular economy principles. By using waste products to create the electrodes, the process reduces reliance on virgin materials while simultaneously converting another type of waste, wastewater, into a productive resource.

• The technology is particularly relevant for Africa, where water scarcity drives up the cost of green hydrogen production and subsequently the feasibility of projects due to reliance on desalination.

Our take

• These innovations demonstrate how Africa’s waste burdens can shift from liability to asset, offering new pathways for circular growth.

• PET Asphalt Concrete innovation could help address the continent’s rising plastic waste burden, which could be used as a raw material.

• By converting locally available waste into valuable inputs, the waste-to-fertiliser initiative can strengthen agricultural resilience and foster greater self-reliance across African farming communities.