DM-XTech · DM-X CBM
DM-XTech · DM-X CBM
Honest status of what is proven, what is converting, and what remains to be built.
Beyond the 18 reinforced azolla cultivation tanks, the pilot site hosts several major capital items accumulated by the proponent over prior operations. These assets sit on the proponent's balance sheet already and are not part of the ₱12M term loan ask.
| Asset | Specification | CAPEX Status | Phase 2 Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 reinforced cultivation tanks | Cylindrical, ~28.3 m² surface / 28.3 m³ water each | Sunk (~₱4.5M replacement value) | Phase 1 biology & commissioning baseline |
| 150 kVA diesel genset | Currently standby duty; planned dual-fuel CHP conversion | Sunk | Loop 1 — continuous CHP; ~140–160 kW recoverable thermal |
| Hydrodynamic cavitation unit #1 | HDU for on-hub CME transesterification | ₱1.5M sunk | Loop 1 — CME self-production (~35,000 L/yr) |
| Hydrodynamic cavitation unit #2 | Heavy-duty HDU, chemical-free water sanitisation | ₱2.0M sunk | Loop 3 — shared water utility |
| 20 concrete hatchery pools | Precast, inside covered warehouse ~10m from tanks | Sunk | Loop 2 — integrated tilapia hatchery |
| Operational chicken flock | Existing proof-of-concept at 30% azolla inclusion | Operational | Loop 2 — chicken-azolla nutrient loop |
| Starting rabbit colony | Establishment stage; azolla as core feed | In progress | Loop 2 — rabbit-azolla loop |
| Total capital already deployed | — | ~₱5.5M | — |
What is operational today, and what is not.
16 of 18 tanks have dense, healthy mats. Growth rates confirm 3–5 day doubling under Philippine tropical conditions.
2 tanks are being sealed and fitted with HDPE gas-collection rings. Dome seals pending. No biogas production yet.
No PWS skid on site. Procurement planned for Month 0–3 post-loan drawdown.
No compressor on site. K-102 4-stage unit to be ordered upon loan close.
No filling manifold or CNG-rated cylinder fleet on site.
Target: Month 8 post-drawdown. No CBM has been produced or compressed to date.
Proven: Azolla pinnata grows vigorously in Philippine tropical conditions in concrete circular tanks without synthetic fertilizer, heating, or artificial lighting. No disease pressure or pest colonization observed over multi-month operating periods.
Not Yet Proven: Anaerobic digestion of azolla at scale; biogas yield consistency; PWS upgrading efficiency; 200-bar compression reliability; cylinder filling logistics; consumer acceptance; and long-term digestate offtake contracts. These are the risks the ₱12M loan is specifically designed to retire.
From loan approval to first CBM cylinder in under 8 months. Every activity is standard for anaerobic digestion + PWS + high-pressure compression — no custom tooling, no novel engineering.
Equipment ordered & site prep. Final spec sign-off with vendors. PWS scrubber skid ordered (lead time ~12 weeks). K-102 compressor ordered. Civil works — compressor pad, pipe racks. Biodigester sealing & gas dome installation on BD1 & BD2.
Mechanical & electrical fit-out. PWS skid set-to-pad & piped up. Compressor installed with intercoolers. Flash tank, caustic scrubber, dryer positioned. Cylinder filling manifold & safety interlocks.
Cold & hot commissioning. Pressure & leak tests on all gas lines. First biogas from biodigesters (≥50% CH₄). PWS operation trials · CO₂ removal tuning. Target ≥97% CH₄ purity confirmed. Compressor ramp to 200 bar.
First CBM cylinders filled. Cylinder filling trials (weight & pressure QA). First commercial cylinder delivery. Customer route and logistics finalized. Operator training complete. Revenue generation begins.
Gradual output increase to nameplate. Feedstock logistics optimization. 82% utilization target. Full debt service begins (M12 end of grace). First annual audit & carbon credit filing.
First commercial cylinder fill is the hard milestone the bank monitors. Once demonstrated, the project transitions from construction risk to operational risk — materially lowering the bank's exposure profile. Thereafter the standard DSCR covenants apply.
A 200-bar biomethane plant requires multiple permits before commercial operation. DM-XTech has initiated pre-application consultations but no permits are yet in hand.
| Permit | Agency | Status | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) | DENR-EMB | Not yet filed | 4–6 months from filing |
| RA 9513 Renewable Energy Registration | DOE-REMB | Pre-application consultation initiated | 3–4 months from filing |
| Biomethane Distribution Permit | DOE / ERC | Not yet filed | 4–6 months from filing |
| Building / Occupancy Permit | LGU | Not yet filed | 2–3 months from filing |
| Fire Safety Inspection Certificate | BFP | Not yet filed | 1–2 months from filing |
| Hazardous Area Classification Approval | DOLE / PNR | Not yet filed | 2–3 months from filing |
The 12-month principal grace period on the loan is designed to absorb typical permit delays. However, DENR ECC or DOE registration delays beyond 12 months could push first commercial revenue into Year 2, compressing the DSCR buffer. DM-XTech will file all permit applications within 30 days of loan drawdown and engage a regulatory liaison to expedite processing.
The pilot is step 1 of 3 — and each step funds the next.
| Parameter | Phase 1 · Urban Pilot | Phase 2 · Standard Hub | Phase 3 · Bicol Scale-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2026 | 2027–2031 | 2032–2035 |
| Footprint | ~0.05 ha (18 tanks) | 114 ha leased land | 525 ha contiguous |
| Feedstock | 16 in-house tanks + local leased land | Leased farmland within 8 km | Proponent-owned Bicol site |
| Nameplate | ~50 Nm³/h (ramping) | 50 Nm³/h per hub | ~230 Nm³/h (4.6× standard) |
| Year 1 CBM output | ~82,000 Nm³ | ~360,000 Nm³ at steady state | ~1.65M Nm³ |
| LPG displaced (Y2) | ~287 MT/yr | ~7,175 MT/yr (25 hubs) | ~1,319 MT/yr |
| Households served | ~2,000 HH | ~50,000 HH (25 hubs) | ~10,000 HH |
| Indicative CAPEX | ₱17M total | ₱17M per hub | ₱800M–₱1.2B |
| Funding | ₱5M equity + ₱12M loan | Phase 1 cash flow + commercial debt | DFI / strategic / VER off-take |