Background

Pencil Industry Statistics

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

According to an approximate calculation in 2008: http://timberlines.blogspot.com/2008/04/myth-ofyellow-pencil.html 2 http://wima.org/IndustryInformation/IndustryStatisticalInformation/2007/tabid/71/Default.aspx 3 http://timberlines.blogspot.com/2005/09/chinese-pencil-industry-world-reaction_15.html

Background
Pencil Industry Raw Materials and Certification
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

Background
Industrial Pencil Manufacturing: How is the wooden pencil made?
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).

Background
Understanding Deforestation 1
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
1

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

Background
Understanding Deforestation 1
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.
1

http://www.ucsusa.org/ssi/biodiversity/population-and-environment-series/population-forest-linkage.html 2 Based on different estimates of the number of pencils produced by a tree

Background
Alternative Pencil Raw Materials

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.

1Pencils:

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

Background
Pen Industry Statistics
Plastics have become the main raw material used to produce ballpoint pens. Thermosetting plastics, like phenolic resins, which remain permanently hard after being formed and cooled, are typically used in constructing the body, cap, and other pieces Ballpoint pens dominate the writing instrument market, selling over one hundred million pens each year worldwide. In the US, 5,232,000,000 pens where produced in 2007, grossing $3,253,000,000 in sales.2 Given the chemical stability of thermosetting plastics, disposed pens will take several years to decompose in landfills. Nowadays, there are several environmentally friendly alternatives to plastics including biodegradable poly lactic acid corn starch, recycled HDPE plastic from bottles and even recycled paper casings.

http://wima.org/IndustryInformation/IndustryStatisticalInformation/2007/tabid/71/Default.aspx

BioPencils: What are they?

A sprout of genius.
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.

But, how?
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.

BioPencils: What are they?

Think about it for a second.

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.

Our revolutionary composite

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 BioLpiz 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.

The Inventors
Hernan J. Garrido-Lecca
B.S. in Economics (Universidad del Pacfico); MPA (Harvard University); Masters in Science & Technology Policy (MIT), Doctorate in Applied Economics (Universidad de Sevilla) Has a long-standing private and public sector career in Per. 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.

The Inventors
Luis Antonio Camuzzo Rojas
Founder and Director of the Codigo 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.

Raw Material Extraction

Acuisur and Responsible Pasture Management
All of our raw material, Chondracanthus chamissoi, is obtained from either fishermen co-ops sustainably managed prairies or Acucola Mares del Sur S.A. (Acuisur), our sister company. Recently, Acuisur was granted a renewable, 30 year concession over El Carbn, 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 Perus environmental standards are compatible with those enforced in the USA.

Our Proposal
Our Proposal: The BioPencil School Initiative
Aimed at revolutionizing the way kids relate to their stationery and the environment. Schools could save pencil sharpenings and pencil tails: sharpenings could be used to fertilize small educational pencil tail farms within school grounds or planting projects in the community. Biopencils could also be exchanged for aluminum cans and/or plastic bottle caps, encouraging collection of recyclable material within school-aged children. Seeds could be strategically selected to grow according to the schools region and climate conditions. This could allow for worldwide campaigns regardless of geographic location.

Addendum: Seaweed Basics

Seaweed: 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

Addendum: Seaweed Basics

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 cant 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: The Global Market
Seaweed production can be divided into two main areas: Collection (from naturally occurring seaweed growth) or Cultivation (as a result of human activity) Main Seaweed Producers (Collection): China (30%), Chile (29%), Norway (12.5%), Japan (9.6%), and France (3.6%) (FAO 2007) Main Seaweed Producers (Cultivation): China (62%), Indonesia (13.6%), Philippines (10.5%), Republic of Korea (6%), Japan (2.8%)Chile (0.6%) (FAO 2008) World Total Seaweed Production (Cultivation) : US$ 7,426 million (FAO 2008) Total World Production of seaweeds and other aquatic plants reached to 16.0 million tonnes in 2007, of which aquaculture produced 14.9 million tonnes (FAO 2007)