The strategic investment accelerates Orbital’s deployment of cleaner, more reliable, and lower‑cost sludge‑disposal services for wastewater utilities
PITTSBURG—Orbital Biocarbon, an operator‑led infrastructure firm that builds sewage‑sludge disposal facilities for wastewater utilities, announced the close of a strategic investment round that includes a personal commitment from industry veteran Toby Z. Rice.
Rice, a long‑term shareholder, brings the perspective of an operator who has built large‑scale energy and waste‑to‑value platforms, underscoring the significance of this milestone for Orbital.
Regulators are tightening emissions standards, aging treatment plants are approaching the end of their design life, and available landfill capacity for sludge is shrinking. Those dynamics are driving up disposal costs and operational risk for municipal utilities. Orbital’s modular, thermal‑technology‑based model is positioned to address three core utility concerns: environmental compliance, cost predictability, and service reliability.
“We have been intentional about building Orbital as a sludge‑disposal platform for utilities,” said John Day, president and co‑founder of Orbital Biocarbon. “Toby’s track record in scaling critical infrastructure makes him an ideal strategic shareholder to help us advance the company.”
“I back operators who tackle hard problems and deliver lower costs with better environmental outcomes,” said Rice. “Orbital is turning one of the toughest waste challenges in the utility sector into essential infrastructure. Deploying their first facility in the Pittsburgh region is a pivotal step toward reshaping waste‑management practices nationwide.”
Industry context
In the United States, municipal wastewater utilities spend an estimated $2 billion annually on sludge disposal, a figure that is projected to grow at 4‑5% per year as stricter EPA limits on landfill methane emissions take effect. Traditional disposal methods—landfilling and low‑temperature incineration—are increasingly seen as unsustainable due to space constraints, rising tipping fees, and community opposition.
Orbital’s approach leverages proven high‑temperature thermal conversion technology that reduces sludge volume by up to 90% and captures energy in the form of syngas. The modular design enables rapid deployment—typically within 12‑18 months—and scalability to match regional demand curves. By offering long‑term capacity contracts, Orbital helps utilities lock in disposal rates, mitigating exposure to volatile landfill fees and regulatory penalties.
Competitive landscape
Few players currently offer end‑to‑end, utility‑focused sludge‑disposal solutions that combine thermal processing with turnkey financing and operations. Large engineering firms provide custom plants but lack the standardized, asset‑light model that Orbital promotes. Meanwhile, emerging tech firms are experimenting with plasma gasification, but those systems remain capital‑intensive and unproven at scale. Orbital’s modular architecture and focus on contract‑based capacity give it a differentiated value proposition in a market poised for consolidation.
Financial outlook
The new capital infusion is earmarked for three initiatives: (1) construction of two additional facilities in the Midwest and Southeast, (2) expansion of the company’s proprietary financing platform to offer utility‑friendly lease structures, and (3) development of an integrated data‑analytics suite that provides real‑time performance monitoring and predictive maintenance. Collectively, these actions are expected to accelerate revenue growth to $150 million by 2028, with EBITDA margins expanding from the current 12% to above 20% as economies of scale are realized.
About Orbital Biocarbon
Orbital Biocarbon develops, finances, owns, and operates regional sludge‑disposal facilities that provide contracted capacity to wastewater utilities and their haulers. Each facility employs standardized thermal technology in a modular layout that supports 24/7 operation, processing of diverse sludge streams, and capacity scaling to meet local demand. By delivering dependable, long‑term infrastructure beyond traditional landfills and incinerators, Orbital helps utilities stabilize disposal costs, reduce risk, and deliver more affordable service to their communities.
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