Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The project has aimed to demonstrate the potentials of (fresh) coconut husks and bagasse as raw material for the production of environmental safe and high performance construction materials. The project has been designed to identify the perspective of expansion and diversification of the production and trade of high value-added products for coir and bagasse producing countries. End-users will be local as well as export markets for building materials, but also packaging industries and potential export markets for price competitive and environmentally safe consumer goods. Potentials of the products in other areas than building markets or packaging could be found in a wide variety of consumer goods and furniture.

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How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

One unit of coir ply with a production capacity of 40 cubic metres a day would be able to save about 22 trees per day which means 6,600 trees per year, the 6,600 trees will save 1100 tons of CO2 emissions. Assuming that one such tree requires 40 sq.metre, then it would be 25 trees in one acre so that a coir ply unit could save about 264 acres of tropical forest in every year. If 10 % of coir fibre produced is utilized in the manufacture of coir ply, it would save about 8, 800,000 tropical trees per year which corresponds to 8,800 acres of tropical forests per year. The 8,800,000 trees will save 1,466,667 tons of CO2 emissions.

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SOCIAL IMPACT
Ecovon will generate wealth and employment/jobs for individuals in rural and urban areas of Ghana at the initial stages of the value chain, mostly youth and women, who will collect, sort and clean coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse for production. By the 3rd year of operation, Ecovon aims to create 100 direct and over 500 indirect jobs. The company aim to create a new wood industry from coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse creating value-add for the poorest rural farmers (Bottom of the pyramid) while reducing CO2 emissions and deforestation. Ecovon will also produce cheap alternative building materials for low income earners and poor rural farmers in the country.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Ecovon Plan for coming three years is to withdraw over 2 million kilograms of coconut husk and bagasse from the environment and use them to manufacture fibreboards and save an estimated 500 acres of forest (based on calculations by the Canadian Forestry Association). Coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse recycling also saves 2.5 kg CO2/kg coconut husk and bagasse hence we will be preventing 2,500,000 kg of CO2 emissions further mitigating climate change.

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Mission Statement:

Ecovon will bring the first non-additive, bio-based, renewable wood product to market which is naturally flame retardant and anti-fungal without added binders (glues). The physical properties are better than comparable engineered woods on the market currently, all which use additives and heavy chemicals to reach additional flame retardant properties while reducing our CO2 footprint, deforestation and enriching the lives of locals in coconut and sugarcane producing developing countries such as Ghana. The board material has been shown to exhibit excellent properties, which are comparable with or even superior to commercial wood based panels. Our product is stronger and more durable, priced considerably less, and greener