From clean water systems to advanced air purification, Aldrin Derrick Chua has dedicated his life’s work to improving the everyday living conditions of Filipinos through science-backed innovation.

As director of Marketing at Techglobal Incorporated, a company with a rich family history dating back to 1974, Chua leads the charge in transforming traditional infrastructure through modern environmental solutions.

In a Straight Talk interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Chua shared how the family business evolved through decades of innovation.

“Alright. We’ll start with our family business. Our family business is Techglobal. So our company started in 1974. We were doing hardware distribution before; we would sell to hardware stores all over the country,” he recalled.

“But it’s in the 1990s that we focused on piping systems. 1995 to be specific. We were the first one to bring in PPR pipes in the country. PPR stands for Polypropylene Random Copolymer.”

Describing PPR as “a better alternative to galvanized iron” and “blue PVC pipe,” Chua emphasized its importance in maintaining clean, potable water lines for showers and faucets.

“Once you put it, you’ll never have a problem in your water line system,” he said.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Techglobal responded to national needs by introducing an anti-microbial version of the PPR pipe.

Pipe with a difference

“So, the pipe will now have a film inside. And this film is able to destroy viruses and bacteria. So, the water is extra clean and extra potable,” he explained.

“Water quality affects your skin, affects your daily lives, right? So, we do this to make each and every Filipino house much, much better.”

Chua revealed the company donated these antimicrobial piping systems — free of charge — to all emergency quarantine facilities during the health crisis.

“During the pandemic, we immediately launched it. And we gave it to all emergency quarantine facilities in the country. For free. We were piping in our part.”

But his pursuit of innovation did not end with water.

“I have no protection against Covid,” Chua said, reflecting on his experience during lockdown.

“Because there was no vaccine also at that time. And then I researched air purifiers that can destroy viruses. So there was nothing available in the country.”

He learned that while most commercial purifiers used HEPA filters for bacteria, virus filtration required ULPA filters.

“ULPA are much, much stronger. ULPA stands for ultra-fine particulate matter,” he said.

“They have a rating for that. There’s a table like MERS 18 or 19 or 20. So these are the ones that can destroy viruses like Covid.”

After testing units from various countries, one product stood out — a German-made purifier called Luftonic.

“It was the second most expensive from all the six purifiers I bought, but I knew this is what the country needed.”

Despite the high investment cost, Chua pushed through. “They say, ‘Aldrin, you need to order at least a container. One full container.’ It’s expensive. I think one container is around 10 million pesos.”

That first shipment sold out immediately. “When the first container arrived, I was surprised. Everything was pre-sold.”

Word spread fast. “When I did the sign-up sheets, the doctors would just put their names. And some doctors would put three or four. So other doctors would see. Then the other doctors would say, oh, I also need to have one. So they created a list. So everyone signed up.”

Since then, Luftonic air purifiers have been deployed across hospitals, restaurants, homes and government offices — including St. Luke’s and several city halls.

Chua also pioneered specialized variants. “We created one for elevators. We were the first one to have elevator purifiers,” he noted. “Luftonic, because the largest concentration of Covid is in an elevator. And also, we created Luftonic Industrial for ducting systems in ventilation.”

Explaining his vision, Chua said: “The moment you enter the lobby, the elevator, down to your workstation, everything has to be purified. It doesn’t make sense that this area is purified and this one is not. Then you get contaminated in this area.”

Beyond business, Chua believes these solutions are part of a larger responsibility. “Also, of course, the water you drink has to be clean, right? So that’s what we do. We provide clean water, clean air.”

He credits much of his drive to discipline and productivity. “I guess I was trained to always be productive, always to do hard work. So I guess that stimulated my mind.”

Whether it’s through piping innovations or air purification systems, Aldrin Derrick Chua continues to champion a mission larger than profit.

“That’s part of our advocacy,” he said. “Our philosophy is to bring in new piping innovation — first-world piping innovation — to make our piping system at par or better than first-world countries.”

At just 31, Chua’s influence is already being felt in the way Filipinos live and breathe. And for him, it’s all part of doing his share.

“So obviously we’re doing our part,” he said. “At least we were doing our part for the country, for the economy… to help the country, helping the economy.”