Israel’s HomeBiogas steps into the defense sector via new contract with U.S. Air Force
The deal reflects a growing interest in decentralized, sustainable waste-to-energy solutions across military and humanitarian applications.
HomeBiogas, an Israeli waste-to-energy company, has signed its first agreement with the United States Air Force to provide off-grid toilet systems for a remote military base on a Pacific island. The deal marks the company's first step into the defense sector.
As part of the contract, HomeBiogas will supply 20 Bio-Toilet systems, designed for infrastructure-limited environments. The systems address a need for off-grid, sustainable waste management solutions at U.S. military bases that are not connected to traditional sewage infrastructure.
"While navigating the bureaucratic process took time, this contract represents a meaningful win, not just for HomeBiogas, but for the U.S. Air Force, the future of waste management, and the environment,” said CEO Oshik Efrati. “It validates our mission and opens the door to broader collaboration. Our systems are compact, rapidly deployable, and turn waste into clean energy, making them ideal for remote military operations. This is a major milestone in our growth and impact.”
Currently, many installations rely on metal collection tanks for human waste, which are later burned. This practice raises environmental and health concerns, particularly due to smoke inhalation. The HomeBiogas system offers an alternative by turning human waste into usable methane gas. It operates without electricity and uses up to 90% less water than conventional toilets.
The system consists of a specially designed toilet connected to a foot-operated pump that transfers waste into a sealed biodigester. There, anaerobic bacteria break down the waste and produce methane, which can be used for cooking or heating water.
HomeBiogas’ technology is already in use in other sectors. In El Salvador, over 900 schools have installed the Bio-Toilet system, replacing hazardous sanitation setups and producing cooking gas for student meals. The company is also partnering with a Swiss organization to bring its systems to rural farmers in Ghana.
The company’s entry into the defense space reflects a growing interest in decentralized, sustainable waste-to-energy solutions across military and humanitarian applications. HomeBiogas was founded in 2012 and operates in more than 100 countries, helping businesses meet their ESG criteria and climate goals.
