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IAEA Director General visits the Philippines to spearhead nuclear tech for plastic pollution

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Published: 28 November 2025

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi (1st row, 6th and 5th from right, respectively) with ministers and officials from the Philippines and other countries at the opening of the International High-Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics on November 25, 2025 at the Conrad Manila Hotel, Pasay City (Photo from DFA-OPD / Johannes Adrian De Guia and Clark Joseph Galang)

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi delivers the opening remarks of the NUTEC Plastics forum (Photo by Dean Calma / IAEA)

IAEA Director General visits the Philippines to spearhead nuclear tech for plastic pollution

Showing the international body’s strong commitment to harness Atoms for Peace and Development, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, leads a large gathering of delegates from across the globe to discuss solutions to the global problem of plastic pollution in a forum held from November 25 to 26 in Pasay City.

With the theme, “Scaling Solutions and Partnerships for Global Impact”, the IAEA International High-Level Forum on the Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution represents the agency’s growing initiative in recent years advocating the use of radiation and nuclear innovations for assessment, disposal and even recycling of plastic waste into useful materials for construction and industry.

Building on the framework of NUclear TEChnology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics), the high-level forum featured a large gathering of ministers, scientists, and other stakeholders to share in the progress of the various countries in developing the technology for reprocessing plastics and other innovative solutions combined with strong decision-making and support from their corresponding governments going forward.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at the IHLF NUTEC Forum (Photo from DFA-OPD / Johannes Adrian De Guia and Clark Joseph Galang)

Recognizing the Philippines’ great leaps in radiation technology

The Director General took the opportunity to emphasize the need for the IAEA and its Member States to band its resources and attention together in meeting the challenge. As well, he had high praises for the Philippines’ enthusiasm and the presence as well as support of its leading decision-makers as it hosted the event.

"When we launched this program five years ago, given the dimension of the problem, we need to put our sights and our technology at the service of a solution, a very concrete solution, " said the Director General.

"Here today, in the Philippines, launching this important phase of the existing program NUTEC … is going to be a great success.

"It's an indication that this is a problem that is tackled at the political level so we can provide a solution, so joining us, I think we are going to be successful, here in the Philippines, here in the ASEAN region and in the world community."

He also lauded the Philippines’ role in international diplomacy, not only as a Member State of the IAEA, but also in the wider community of the United Nations.

Describing the country’s respectable stance as a necessary “voice of moderation”, he expressed confidence that the Philippines and the IAEA as a whole will benefit from its contributions in shaping the global nuclear policy through its recent election to the Board of Governors for the 2025-2027 term.

He also emphasized that in terms of nuclear power development, the previous progress made by the country and its newfound enthusiasm and active policies rightfully counts the Philippines not as a ‘newcomer’ state, but rather a ‘pioneering’ and ‘revisiting’ country that is absolutely ready to take the next step in its milestones towards nuclear energy.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivering his keynote address at the opening of the high-level forum (Photo by Dean Calma / IAEA)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who graced the forum with his presence during the opening ceremonies, highlights the strength of the country’s global linkages as well as its scientific institutions as it leads its own counterpart initiatives to NUTEC Plastics.

Foremost among these are the Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Wastes (PREx) Project by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), as well as the marine microplastics monitoring laboratory of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI).

“Plastic pollution is emblematic of this new era of challenges: global in scale, persistent in impact, and deeply entangled with the way economies grow. It affects biodiversity, public health, supply chains, the lives of our coastal and urban communities,” said the President.

“NUTEC Plastics embodies the kind of innovation that we need — solutions that merge advanced nuclear applications with environmental protection, to translate scientific progress into tangible benefits for industry and for society.”

The President also cited recent developments in the nation’s nuclear regulatory framework and international cooperation as a sign that the Philippines is ready for responsible innovation as well as a deeper, science-driven cooperation with global partners. These include the signing of the PhilATOM Law and the country’s ASEAN 2026 chairship campaign.

Read more: IAEA Director General visits the Philippines to spearhead nuclear tech for plastic pollution

We Juan-A Nuclear Philippines! DOST-PNRI to celebrate Atomic Energy Week 2025

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Published: 12 November 2025

We Juan-A Nuclear Philippines! DOST-PNRI to celebrate Atomic Energy Week 2025

The Gen-Atom craze continues this year as the country once again celebrates the Atomic Energy Week (AEW) from December 9 to 12, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

With the theme “I Juan-A Nuclear Philippines”, this year’s AEW reflects the extraordinary energy akin to atomic nuclei among generations of Filipinos, particularly the youth, as we talk more about the growing role of nuclear science and technology in national development.

This year’s celebration is also as enthusiastic as they are inclusive, with a wide range of activities in store for every Juan and Juana wanting to learn more about the benefits of the Atom.

Open-House Technical Exhibits

For starters, PNRI will once again open its doors to the public from December 9 to 11 with a showcase of several technical exhibits with free guided tours for all visitors, to be presented by no less than our very own Filipino scientists and researchers.

The exhibits will feature the country’s latest nuclear and radiation technologies, products and services by PNRI, divided into five overarching themes:

Team 1: Radiation in Daily Life - Everyday applications of radiation (focused on the public and radiation workers)

Team 2: Nuclear Science in Health Innovations - Use of nuclear science in medicine, therapy, and health physics applications

Team 3: Environmental Protection and Monitoring - Use of nuclear techniques to track pollution and monitor the environment

Team 4: Nuclear Energy, Safety, Security, and Safeguards - Basics of nuclear energy, safety protocols, and potential applications, and the newly-established PhilATOM

Team 5: Research and Innovation at PNRI - Highlights of on-going PNRI research projects

4th Philippine Nuclear Research and Development Conference

Preparing a perfect avenue for leading experts and researchers, professionals, educators, students and other stakeholders or sectors to meet and discuss the latest advancements in nuclear research, development, and innovation, the Institute will also host the 4th Philippine Nuclear Research and Development Conference (PNRDC 2025) from December 10 to 11.

The conference aims to foster dialogue on nuclear science, technology, and policy, creating a platform for engagement among researchers, policymakers, and the public.

PNRDC 2025 will partner with a Scopus-indexed journal to publish a special issue on Nuclear Science and Technology, featuring full-paper versions of selected presentations from the conference, subject to the journal’s peer-review process. Researchers, academics, and professionals from all over the country are invited to submit abstracts for possible oral or poster presentations at the conference.

Myth Smashers Nuclear Science App Contest

Meanwhile, senior high school and college students are competing in the development of the best mobile applications at the Myth Smashers Nuclear Science App Competition. Very much reflecting the Gen-Z spirit, these apps on nuclear science will aim to debunk the most common myths and misconceptions prevailing among the public and the youth.

The winning team, to be announced on December 11 during the 2025 AEW, will officially represent the Philippines at the Asian Network for Education in Nuclear Technology (ANENT) International Finals in March 2026.

At the week’s conclusion, DOST-PNRI will also recognize its Civil Service Awardees and recipients of other accolades for the year. The Institute will also hold an Employees’ Day to cap the event with an afternoon of raffles, games, and well-deserved bonding after a whole year’s worth of accomplishments.

The AEW serves as the annual culmination of the Institute’s efforts in promoting nuclear science and technology to the general public. As mandated under Presidential Proclamation No. 1211 in 1973, the AEW aims to generate awareness of the Filipino people on the beneficial uses of nuclear science and technology.

For more information on the AEW 2025, visit the DOST-PNRI Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PNRIDOST/ as well as the PNRI and AEW websites at https://www.pnri.dost.gov.ph/ and https://aew.pnri.dost.gov.ph/aew/2025/. You may also contact the Institute at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

From trash to tiles: Radiation-processed plastic waste now used as construction materials

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Published: 22 November 2025

From trash to tiles

Radiation-processed plastic waste now used as construction materials

From trash to tiles. Who would have thought that the eye sores commonly found in every Filipino home can now be used to build houses and buildings too? Indeed, through the use of radiation technology, trash such as plastic packaging and containers can now be modified, and made durable to become tiles and bricks that can efficiently make homes and buildings stronger and also more attractive.

This is made possible through project called Post-radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Wastes (PREx Plastic), led by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the Department of Science and technology (DOST-PNRI).

To demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of the radiation-processed plastics turned into tiles and bricks, the PNRI and its partner, the Davao City-based Envirotech Waste Recycling Incorporated, built the “PREx Prototype House.” A prototype of a common residential house that uses PREx plastic for tiles and walls, the PREx House will be the testing site of how the said plastics will maintain strength and durability in the daily household grind.

Read more: From trash to tiles: Radiation-processed plastic waste now used as construction materials