Ecovon

Ecovon believe that there is a better way of making building materials. That is why we are focusing our energy on completely rethinking and re-designing how the new generation of building materials is made. Ecovon is developing sustainably sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse, supplying the global market with a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood alternative that are better for people and planet.

In the green building industry there is currently no bio-based paneling board made from 100% natural bio based fibers without added resin (glues), let alone a 100% natural flame retardant panel.

Deforestation: The rate of deforestation in Ghana is estimated to be one of the highest in the world after Togo and Nigeria .At an estimated annual rate of 2%, equivalent to 135,000 hectares per annum. (FAO, 2007)

Waste: Global production of coconut husks has been estimated at 23 million tonnes, while Ghana generates over 750000 tonnes yearly but no proper usage has been found yet. (UNCTAD, 2009),(KNUST Coconut Waste Spring,2016)

Urea formaldehyde used as synthetic binder in wood based panel board has been recognized by the WHO as human carcinogen which has health related risks such as cancer, leukemia, watery eyes, burning sensation of the (eyes, nose and throat), coughing, nausea and skin irritation on the end users or customers.

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

Ecovon has categorized the target market in to two segments:

• Household consumers with age (25-64).
• Industries and small-scale enterprises

Total addressable market- 4billion+ household customers, served available market - 10million+ household customers, serviceable obtainable market- 100,000 household customers

Ghana Real Estate Association (GREDA)-169, Furniture and Wood Products Association of Ghana (FAWAG)-2,400, Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE)- 2,500, Total addressable market- 200million+ enterprises, Served available market – 100000+ enterprises, Serviceable obtainable market- 500 enterprises

The tropical forest has a special role in the conservation of biodiversity which shelter 70% of the world’s plants and animals. It, invariably, influenced the local and global climates. Forest absorbs atmospheric carbon and replenishes the oxygen in the air we breathe. Forests regulate stream flows by intercepting rainfall, absorbing the water in to the underlying soil and gradually releasing it into the streams and rivers of its watershed. Tree roots enhance soil porosity, reduce compaction and facilitate infiltration

Ecovon is at prototyping stage and it needs an amount of $50,000 to start small scale production. This amount of investment will enable Ecovon to start production and also assist Ecovon to cover the time between first costs and revenue from sales. Ecovon will need and an investment of $300,000- $500,000 during its commercialization stage

Ecovon believe that there is a better way of making building materials. That is why we are focusing our energy on completely rethinking and re-designing how the new generation of building materials is made. Ecovon are developing sustainably sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse, supplying the global market with a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood alternative that are better for people and planet. 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. Coconut husk has the highest lignin content of any known plant and this helps the raw material to bind into a hard board without the addition of any damaging glue or binder. Due to its strength the board has the potential to be used for structural elements in buildings. It also has natural anti-fungal properties and burns three times slower than wood. The method is sustainable and environmentally friendly

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.

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.

BRENYA ISAAC, Team Leader/CEO, holds BSc Planning from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

ALEX OBENG, Team Member/Technical Officer, holds BSc Mechanical Engineering from KNUST in Ghana.

MICHAEL OBANAH, Team Member/Finance Officer, holds BA Integrated Business Studies specialized in Accounting from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

 FOSTER OSEI

The team comprises of four peoples who have in-depth knowledge in business management and administration. Their details are highlighted below including their role

BRENYA ISAAC, Team Leader/CEO, holds BSc Planning from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

ALEX OBENG, Team Member/Technical Officer, holds BSc Mechanical Engineering from KNUST in Ghana.

MICHAEL OBANAH, Team Member/Finance Officer, holds BA Integrated Business Studies specialized in Accounting from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

 FOSTER OSEI, Team Member/Communications, holds BSc Planning from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

The team comprises of four peoples who have in-depth knowledge in business management and administration. Their details are highlighted below including their role

BRENYA ISAAC, Team Leader/CEO, holds BSc Planning from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

ALEX OBENG, Team Member/Technical Officer, holds BSc Mechanical Engineering from KNUST in Ghana.

MICHAEL OBANAH, Team Member/Finance Officer, holds BA Integrated Business Studies specialized in Accounting from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

 FOSTER OSEI, Team Member/Communications, holds BSc Planning from University for Development Studies in Ghana.

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

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

MIT Faculty or Initiatives

R&D collaboration

Bio-based resources have played a major role throughout human history. Bio-based resources like coir and allied fibres are renewable, widely distributed, available locally, moldable, anisotropic, hygroscopic, recyclable, versatile, non-abrasive, porous, visco elastic, easily available in many forms, biodegradable, combustible, compostable and reactive. Bio based fibres have a high aspect ratio, high strength to weight ratio, relatively low in energy conversion and have good sound and thermal insulation properties. A composite material is a material where two or more materials are present out of which some load bearing members and the others are for holding the load bearing members in proper orientation. Coir wood composites belong to the fibre reinforced plastics.

In the fibre-reinforced plastics, the fibres are embedded in a polymer matrix so that the former form a discontinuous phase in the continuous phase of the latter. The resinous matrix in the material used to envelop the reinforcement. The compound materials are superior to conventional metallic materials, wood and timber, are mainly used in civil engineering, building and constructions, chemical, transportation, marine and off- shore engineering and sports good applications.

The composite material has different properties from their constituents alone. Coir wood composites can be made using coir as reinforcing material with or without plantation timber (Veneers like rubber veneer, bamboo, jute, glass) in between as a secondary reinforcement and then impregnated with polymeric matrix material like phenolic, polyester, epoxy etc. and processed under controlled temperature and pressure. The primary advantage of the coir wood composites is due to the coir, which is natural, eco-friendly and abundantly available material. Coir is very strong due to its high content of crystalline alpha cellulose (40%) and highly resistance to borer, termite, water and other natural elements due to high lignin content (45%). The coir fibre being very strong and flexible, it can easily replace the glass fibre or can be hybridised in required ratio with the glass fibre. The coir reinforcement fibre could be of coir felt, coir rope or coir sliver etc. Additional reinforcement fibres such as glass, bamboo, and jute fibre could also be used for improving the structural performance. The resultant coir fibre composites offer several advantages such as light weight, high strength and stiffness, non-corrosive, water resistant, long durability, low cost etc. Coir composites are highly suitable for building and construction for door, furniture and other joinery work and transportation application for cost effective replacement to wood and timber.