The Business Year Special Report
Felipe Ávila, General Manager, PECS
PECS focuses its business model on researching, developing, and applying disruptive, cutting-edge technology to provide more efficient environmental solutions.
• Interview
How has technology influenced PECS’s trajectory since its beginning, and what role does it currently have on the development of more efficient environmental solutions?
PECS is an Ecuadorian company that for the last 30 years has been investing in technology and disruptive innovation, searching for better and more efficient ways to manage waste. Since the beginning of the company, when I was just a child, I remember that my other siblings and I would go with our father on trips to search for new technologies and equipment. It was clear to us that our goal was to always continue innovating with creativity and look for new and cost-effective solutions for the environmental industry. Our budget always includes investment in R&D, which has allowed us to expand our services portfolio from a couple of lines focused on oil spill control and abandoned crude oil pools, to more than 20 different services covering the full spectrum of environmental and waste management services, including the application of a circular economy and the recycling of waste. Our goal is to eliminate the final disposal of waste and develop processes to reuse 100% of the raw materials in waste in five years. Technology is crucial for achieving this challenge.
What is PECS’ approach in terms of innovation and development, especially for the conception of organic and biodegradable products?
During 2018, we completed an ambitious project at our Environmental Solutions Center, located in Joya de los Sachas, for the revaluation of organic products. At the moment, large quantities of chemicals that are not compatible with sustainable production are used in the agricultural industry. Our initiative focuses on improving the type of fertilizers that are used in agricultural plantations in the area. The Organic Waste Revaluation project generates a fertilizer with high nutritional qualities, which is subsequently donated to the community near our facilities or used in our palm and cacao plantations. The fertilizer, which is a waste derivative, is already in production, and we are launching it for sale in 2020.
PECS’ objective is to achieve 100% recycling of waste in five years
Biggest challenge now for mining is to meet expectations of environmental authority and local population
How is the company innovating in terms of waste management?
PECS is the first company in Ecuador to focus its business model on researching, developing, and applying cutting-edge and disruptive technology while applying the circular economy. As an important part of our business model and vision, PECS Environmental Solutions specializes in providing customized solutions and advising companies on how to convert a linear economy business model, management model, and production to that of a circular economy, minimizing pollution. To achieve this change, investment in technology and continuous training of human capital is essential, both within PECS and its clients. Additionally, we focus on providing follow-up on the correct implementation of new technologies that we bring to the country. With this flexibility, continuous monitoring, and improvement, we look to make these new technologies technically
and economically viable, which is usually where many environmental projects fail.
While Ecuador has acquired enough know-how in environmental management within the oil industry, the mining industry is still developing in this area. What are the great environmental challenges for this industry and its consolidation?
The mining industry is under a magnifying glass in the country; therefore, in addition to the social resistance that it encountered, it is a great challenge to meet the expectations of the environmental authority and the Ecuadorian people. Our guarantee is that we will support this industry to be successful in the country, providing solutions to cover the environmental needs they may have and to guarantee compliance with Ecuador’s environmental authority and its people. We believe and focus on developing clean technology that supports the different industries in the country, minimizing pollution, and applying circular economy, taking care of non-renewable resources.
The further development of business activity in strategic sectors in Ecuador requires best practices at the level of environmental responsibility. How does PECS help companies to perform better in this part of the business and build sustainable business models?
As a company, we have detected the urgent need to train and share our knowledge acquired through many years of experience, with the aim of minimizing pollution and the inappropriate use of non-renewable resources; therefore, one of the priorities of PECS is to train not only our staff, but also clients and nearby communities. We have already conducted several free trainings focused on issues such as oil spill management, first aid, rescue brigades, waste management, recycling, proper waste collection design, and more. Our approach is to support enterprises, both large and small, so that through PECS processes, they manage their waste in an appropriate and more environmentally friendly manner, always complying with the requirements of environmental regulations. Large and mature companies, with fully implemented management systems and human capital available for continuous monitoring of their environmental management, require greater support, and that is where we most support their management. Our revaluation processes support index compliance with companies’ plans for waste minimization, carbon footprint reduction, and more.
What are the priorities for PECS for 2020?
Our goal is to achieve 100% recycling of waste generated by our customers in five years, and this is a crucial part of the company’s strategic decisions. This objective fills us with optimism; we know there will be many challenges along the way, though we are sure we will achieve it. We will look for clients committed to the environment who are our strategic partners in this new adventure of being a guide to produce without polluting. The true mark is not to leave a mark. ✖