• Approximately 2.9 billion pencils are used in the United States every year1.• By 2005, more than 50% of these pencils were imported from overseas. Since

then, the figure has almost reached 2/3.• According to industry statistics2, US production of wood encased pencil

products reached 3.8 billion units, grossing $308 million in revenues in 2007.• Several sources put worldwide consumption of pencils around 14 billion

pencils a year• In 2005, 52% of the worldwide pencil production came from China, however

since China also exports pencil slats the Chinese production share of wood or alternate material for pencil casings is much higher than pencils alone 3

Pencil Industry Statistics

1 According to an approximate calculation in 2008: http://timberlines.blogspot.com/2008/04/myth-of-yellow-pencil.html2 http://wima.org/IndustryInformation/IndustryStatisticalInformation/2007/tabid/71/Default.aspx3 http://timberlines.blogspot.com/2005/09/chinese-pencil-industry-world-reaction_15.html

Background

Background

• Various types of wood have been used to make pencils over the years. Red cedar from Kenya and the U.S. was an early favorite, but today nearly all pencils worldwide are made from incense cedar, a species that grows in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains.

• In the US, incense cedar is farmed mostly from Sustained Yield Forests, where tree growth rate is measured against harvest rates so as to safe keep the forest’s productive capacity.

• Sustained Yield Forests can be certified. The most well accepted of these worldwide certification programs is the Forest Stewardship Society (FSC) For more certification actors please visit:

• http://www.pencils.com/forest-certification-marks

Pencil Industry Raw Materials and Certification

• It starts with a block of cedar (1) which is then cut into slats (2).

• The slats are then stained (3) and grooves are cut into one surface (4).

• Prepared leads are placed into the grooves (5) and a second slat is placed on top and bonded with the first (6).

• This 'pencil sandwich' is then passed through a milling process (7) to separate the individual pencils (8).

• The pencil is painted and finished (9 & 10), a ferrule crimped onto the end (11), and finally, an eraser is crimped into the ferrule (12).

Industrial Pencil Manufacturing: How is the wooden pencil made?

Background

Forests cover 27% of the world's land area

Developing regions contain 57% of global forest cover

Half of the world's original forests have disappeared since the end of the last Ice Age. More forest was cleared from 1850 to the present than in all previous history, and the rates of deforestation have been highest in the last few decade

The ratio of forested land to human beings has dropped steadily as population has grown and the world's forests have retreated

Understanding Deforestation 1

1 http://www.ucsusa.org/ssi/biodiversity/population-and-environment-series/population-forest-linkage.html

Background

• Historically, increases in economic growth and population have been the main forces fueling the demand for wood (Brooks 1997)

• World consumption of wood—including woodfuel and industrial wood—has grown by 60 percent since 1960, to over 3.3 billion cubic meters in 1995

• The loss and degradation of forests is most severe in developing countries, where more than 95 percent of the world's annual population growth of about 78 million people occurs.

• Due to globalized trade trends, more and more pencils are produced in developing countries. In those with tropical rainforests, there has been a substantial level of destruction of forests due to overharvesting.

• There is little information relating Deforestation and the Pencil industry. Calculations place the number of trees cut down for pencil-making between fifty and a hundred thousand per year 2.

• Since pencils are considered a commodity, pencil manufacturers compete on a cost basis.

Understanding Deforestation 1

1 http://www.ucsusa.org/ssi/biodiversity/population-and-environment-series/population-forest-linkage.html2 Based on different estimates of the number of pencils produced by a tree

Background

Alternative Pencil Raw Materials

1“Pencils: An Environmental Profile” by Arthur D. Little, 1993. Comments at http://timberlines.blogspot.com/2006/01/pencils-environmental-profile.html

Several companies now offer pencils made out of recycled paper (Sanford), plastic and wood composites. However a comprehensive study from the 90s1 sheds light on the real resource use for each alternative and concluded that recycled paper and plastic pencils might not, in fact, be less harmful to the environment in terms of resource use.

Background

BioPencils: What are they?

The BioPencil stationary line seeks to solve the pressing problems caused by pen and pencil production, disposal and pencil-induced deforestation worldwide, apart from creating an increased environmental awareness in final users and encouraging local household farming.

A sprout of genius.

• BioPencil stationary is produced from a 100% natural compound based on collaginous, farm-grown algae

• Its is harmless to the environment in both its production phase and its disposal.

• BioPencil stationary contains seeds within its casing that can be planted once the pen/pencil has fulfilled its purpose.

• Seed choice will depend on the climate and region where the pencil is being commercialized.

• The BioPencil seaweed casing will fertilize the soil around the seeds and help them grow.

But, how?

Think about it for a second.

BioPencils: What are they?

Our revolutionary composite

100% Naturally Produced, Seaweed-based casings.

• Any type of seaweed with gelatinization properties may be used as raw material (we use Chondracanthus chamissoi)

• Our propietary collaginate mix can be molded and tinted in order to be mass produced.

• Our pencil casings can be sharpened normally. • Massive industrial production will involve creating our

own seaweed slats, similar to those used in wooden pencil production. Industrial production could also encompass casing making for the multi-billion dollar pen industry

• Slat and casing production requires no chemical or artificial products avoiding the pollution generated by the use of plastic covers, and deforestation in case of using wood.

• Our seaweed is harvested under sustainable management programs by fishermen coops in Peru

• Skin contact with seaweed has been proven to have incredible positive side effects.

• Final pencil cost would be competitive with wood encased pencils.

Intellectual Property Registration in Peru

• An Invention Patent Application was filed on April 9, 2010 for the following invention:

• A pen, pencil or writing wax casing made our of seaweed and the process to obtain such casing”

• The inventors have obtained the copyright for the “BioLápiz” term until August 9, 2020

Our revolutionary composite

Seeds inside the casing: Our final touch.

• Seeds can be mixed into the collaginate mix or interspersed when wrapping the algae based laminate around the lead / ink cartridge.

• Thanks to the oxygenating properties of algae, the cover will serve as fertilizer and become a land enriching substrate that will aid in the growth of the planted seed.

• Seed types may vary from region to region: Some might include threatened tree species, others might include plants / shrubs aimed at direct consumption including (but not limited to): Chard, spinach, onion, tomato, carrot, parsley, anise, alfalfa, sesame, linseed, chamomile, lemon, orange, guava, apple, papaya and different flower species.

Our revolutionary composite

The perfect combination between biotechnology, ecofriendly products and social impact.

• Our products and values were awarded in different challenges.

o We use the most advanced cultivation biotechnology via spores to produce seaweed which are the raw material for Biopencil.

o Winner of BID CHALLENGE PERÚ 2011, growing companies challenge.

o Winner of BIZ BARCELONA, ESPAÑA 2011, for our contribution in social and ecologic impact with our product Biopencil.

The most awarded company 2011

The InventorsHernan J. Garrido-Lecca• B.S. in Economics (Universidad del Pacífico); MPA

(Harvard University); Master in Science & Technology Policy (MIT), Doctorate in Applied Economics (Universidad de Sevilla)

• Has a long-standing private and public sector career in Perú. Has held several high-rank positions: served as Minister of Housing and Water Services (2006-07), and Minister of Health (2007-08),

• Author of several books in the fields of Economics, Science & Technology and Literature, he currently holds key director positions in several companies. Founder of Alpamayo Entertainment, the first Peruvian computer animation company, Neotex Industrial and Acuisur. He has received several international awards for his inventions.

• Awarded with the first place in BID CHALLENGE PERÚ, 2011.

• Awarded with the Innovation and social impact product in BIZ BARCELONA 2011.

Luis Antonio Camuzzo Rojas

• Founder and Director of the Cóigo Vida Scientific Center for Ocean Research, private institution dedicated to seaweed application research.

• After 40+ years in marine research, pioneered the creation of seaweed-based cloth, skin treatments, and food snacks.

• Has received numerous awards for his pioneering work on seaweed-based products.

• Co-founder of Neotex Industrial and Acuisur.

The Inventors

Seaweed cultivation Expert

• Awarded with the Innovation and social impact product in BIZ BARCELONA 2011.

http://www.bizbarcelona.com/

Raw Material ExtractionAcuisur and Responsible Meadows Management

• All of our raw material, Chondracanthus chamissoi, is obtained from either fishermen co-ops’ sustainably managed prairies or Acuícola Mares del Sur S.A. (Acuisur), our sister company.

• Recently, Acuisur was granted a renewable, 30 year concession over “El Carbón”, a 43.75 Ha patch of sea located in front of Pucusana, 53 Km south of Lima, Peru.

• The Environmental Impact Study presented by Acuisur was granted an “Approved Environmental Certification” by the official Peruvian body regulating aquiculture practices. Peru has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the USA, which means that Peru’s environmental standards are compatible with those enforced in the USA.

Addendum: Seaweed BasicsSeaweed: An introduction

• Seaweeds are classified in two main groups according to the habitat they grow in:• Planctonic: Unicellular composition, they are free-floating• Bentonic: Multicellular composition, they grow on the ocean floor and rocks

• There are four types of seaweeds, characterized by their different colors:• Cyanophytes (blue), Clorophytes (green), Rodophytes (Brown) and Feophytes

(Red)• Their three main uses are: 1. Human and Animal Consumption

• Seaweed in general contains high protein, mineral and vitamin contents• It is the vegetable with the highest mineral salt concentration and contains

about 10% more iron and calcium than dairy products

Seaweeds: An introduction

2. As a source for colloids or gels:• Agar (Red seaweed).- Used as cultive media (in labs) and flavor

neutralizer in canned goods, pill covering and laxative products (since it can’t be digested), and photographic industry (stabilizes nitroglycerin)

• Carragenin (Red Seaweed) - Used for meat-based products as a stabilizer, and as a preservative for dairy and water-based products. Also used in the farmaceutical and cosmetic industries as to add texture, fluidity and reduce costs.

• Alginates (Brown Seaweed) – Used as a stabilizer for the textile industry, thickening agent for the food industry (jams, ice cream), cellulose treatment (softens paper texture)

•3. Environmental Restoration.-• Seaweed is used to remove nitrogen and carbon waste created as

by-product from aquaculture activities

Addendum: Seaweed Basics

Seaweeds: A source of oxigen

As a byproduct of photosynthesis, algae liberate O2 to the atmosphere, allowing our company to engage in the market of carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol.  Seaweeds are the base of the marine food chain and therefore, areas of fish recruitment, crustaceans and mollusks, so necessary to keep a healthy ecosystem.

“In the future our dream is to stop the forest irrational exploitation to make pencils through seaweeds cultivation

to make it.”Acuisur’s CEO Hernán Garrido-Lecca

«Reasearches from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) cultivate seaweeds through photosynthesis, acting biological filters of CO2 by capturing this gas. (Servicio de Información y Noticias Científicas, 2011)»

Addendum: Seaweed Basics