B-CRT

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded the Reinvent the Toilet Challenge with a Global Access requirement, ensuring that technologies developed with foundation funding are made available and accessible at affordable prices to intended beneficiaries. Over 25 innovations supported by the foundation are now available for licensing, production, and commercialization. The foundation granted itself a nonexclusive license to funded intellectual property to ensure products reach underserved markets.

ISO 30500 is a voluntary international product standard published in October 2018 (revised July 2025) for non-sewered sanitation systems. It specifies general safety and performance requirements for design and testing of prefabricated integrated treatment units. ISO 30500 certification demonstrates that a system meets international standards for safety, functionality, usability, reliability, and environmental protection. Organizations can promote their systems as ISO 30500 certified to the public, users, and clients, providing legal assurance that system outputs are pathogen-free and safe to handle.

Reinvented toilet technologies developed through the Gates Foundation initiative are available for commercial licensing. LIXIL was named the first commercial license partner for Georgia Tech's Generation 2 Reinvented Toilet (G2RT) technologies in March 2024, committing to the Gates Foundation's "Global Access" principle. Samsung announced plans to offer royalty-free licenses of their reinvented toilet patents to developing countries during commercialization. The Reclaimer technology from Duke University has been licensed by a company in India with demonstration projects planned for 2024-2025.

The Gates Foundation collaborated with India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) on "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge: India," investing a combined $2 million to support Indian researchers developing innovative sanitation technologies. Six teams of Indian researchers received funding to develop various models including solar-powered toilets and ultrasound water-saving systems. While specific exclusive territorial rights vary by technology, the foundation's Global Access commitment prioritizes making technologies available to developing countries like India at affordable prices.

Multiple patent families protect reinvented toilet technologies. Georgia Tech's G2RT program filed five provisional patents covering their Generation 2 design. LooCafe's Bio-Circular Resource Technology (B-CRT) is protected under Indian Patent Application No. 299563, covering proprietary waste treatment processes and circular resource recovery systems. Commercial partners pursuing these technologies are required to secure appropriate intellectual property protection while adhering to Global Access commitments. Patents cover innovations in treatment processes, system design, materials, and operational methods. The foundation transfers technologies through free patents and provides technical and financial support for partners to adapt, test, and pilot innovations in target markets.

Manufacturing rights are granted through commercial licensing agreements with technology developers (universities, research institutions) and the Gates Foundation. Licensees like LIXIL obtain rights to manufacture and deploy specific toilet technologies in designated markets. The foundation encourages grantees to commercialize their innovations in developed markets at a profit, provided products remain available and affordable in underserved markets. This dual approach enables sustainable business models while ensuring global access to sanitation innovations.

Government agencies and municipalities can procure ISO 30500-certified systems through standard procurement processes. Technology transfer for government contracts includes training, technical documentation, and ongoing support. State-level regulators (Pollution Control Bodies, Public Health Engineering Departments, Water Supply and Sewerage Boards) use ISO 30500 frameworks to guide local bodies in selecting appropriate sanitation systems. Government purchasers receive full operational rights for deployed units, with manufacturers retaining underlying intellectual property while providing maintenance and support services.

Yes, organizations can pursue licensing partnerships for reinvented toilet technologies. Georgia Tech's Office of Technology Licensing manages commercialization of their G2RT innovations. Interested parties should contact technology transfer offices at research institutions (Georgia Tech, Duke University, etc.) or the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Water, Sanitation & Hygiene program. Licensing agreements typically include technology transfer, training, quality standards compliance, and Global Access commitments to ensure affordable access in developing markets.