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Member Investments AAEIC NEXUS - 36 ARIGUM” iit ae ARIGUM" is a hybrid species of an Arizona desert weed, developed to increase the production and yield of its various valuable products. Invention/Idea of Science Associates Arigum thrives in the higher rainfall areas of Western Australia, its desert origin renders it tolerant to drier conditions and it will grow well Member ‘ vee ; a” ae with very little rainfall and under saline and acidic conditions. Y The plants can survive on 100-130 mm rainfall /year ideally 500 mm { } of water is required. Even so it would seem that they could be grown as a commodity crop in regions of Western Australia and other areas of Science Associates Peace Shield Ethical | Australia. The Arigum plant also develops a 3 meter tap root which Investments should reduce dependency on watering. Under cultivation the plant, after the first year can grow up to 2 \ J meters, produce two crops in a single season, increasing to four in high- er rainfall areas, and can be harvested for several years, minimizing the Scientific, Commercial and cost of planting which traditional crops require each year. Selection and breeding programmes now being undertaken indicate that resin yield can be increased and it seems likely that hybrids can be developed with improved life cycle, resin yield and disease resistance. | Based on current research results, it is expected that Arigum will yield from 10-20 tonnes of biomass per hectare per annum (depending Ethical Assessment Communigardo P/L on local conditions). All of the harvestable biomass will be converted into commercial products. These products include natural resin (15% to | 20%), essential oils (fragrance - 1%), polymers (by products of resin), steroids and terpenoids, polyphenols and bagasse. NATURAL RESIN: cheaper to produce than synthetic resin. Arigum has very few impurities and is therefore cheap to process. | Natural resins are useful in a variety of industrial applications. Their Investment Proposal derivatives can be used in the production of synthetic polymers (includ- ing Agrosoke™) and in the preparation of cosmetics, adhesives, var- AAEIC nishes, paper sizings, pine oil disinfectants, printing inks, resinates rub- ber additives and much more. FRAGRANCES (essential oils): widely used in a variety of chem- | ical formulations including food and drink products, pharmaceuticals, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes, hair care products, paints, emulsifiers. Ethical Investment Clubs POLYMERS: the building blocks of organic and plastic structures and as such they have huge commercial markets. | STEROIDS AND TERPENOIDS: used in a wide variety the indus- tries. In some cases these components are very expensive due to their rarity. Examples include retarding agents, medicines, pharmaceuticals, health products, cosmetics. | POLYPHENOLS: increase the melting point of plastics made from Investment Funds natural resins and in this respect Arigum has no peers. Polyphenols are also used extensively in speciality chemicals and household detergents. NEW CAPITILISED COMPANY BAGASSE: the plant residue left over after all the other useful com ponents have been extracted. With many crops it is burnt as waste or used as a bulking agent in animal feed. In the case of Arigum it is also | an excellent source of fuel. Growers are licensed by Arigum Plantations Pty Ltd - a contract pro- Environmentally and socially sound vides a guaranteed payment for each tonne collected - estimates of this y y payment provide for a significantly larger return than any other type of pr oducts and services result crop - in the region of $80 per tonne. Therefore at 20 tonnes per hectare that brings at least $1600 per hectare. FRAGRANCES (essential oils): widely used in a variety of chem- ical formulations including food and drink products, pharmaceuticals, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes, hair care products, paints, emulsifiers. POLYMERS: the building blocks of organic and plastic structures and as such they have huge commercial markets. STEROIDS AND TERPENOIDS: used in a wide variety the indus- tries. In some cases these components are very expensive due to their rarity. Examples include retarding agents, medicines, pharmaceuticals, health products, cosmetics. POLYPHENOLS: increase the melting point of plastics made from natural resins and in this respect Arigum has no peers. Polyphenols are also used extensively in speciality chemicals and household detergents. BAGASSE: the plant residue left over after all the other useful com ponents have been extracted. With many crops it is burnt as waste or used as a bulking agent in animal feed. In the case of Arigum it is also an excellent source of fuel. Growers are licensed by Arigum Plantations Pty Ltd - a contract pro- vides a guaranteed payment for each tonne collected - estimates of this payment provide for a significantly larger return than any other type of crop - in the region of $80 per tonne. Therefore at 20 tonnes per hectare that brings at least $1600 per hectare. Communigardo P/L Investment Funds YEAR BOOK - JULY/AUGUST 1991