Agave as feedstock for biofuels, bioproducts and biopower.

1. AGAVE PROJECT México 2008

7. DISTILLED ETHANOL PRODUCTION PRODUCT / PROCESS CORN (USA) AGAVE (head) SUGAR CANE (BR) FEEDSTOCK NEEDED FOR 1 LITER OF ETHANOL 3 Kg 6 Kg 13.4 Kg FEEDSTOCK PRODUCTION TONNES / HECTARE / YEAR 12 110+ 75.3 (MX) YEARS TO HARVEST 1 6 1 PRODUCTION OF DISTILLED ETHANOL GALLONS / ACRE / YEAR 400 2,000 800 PRODUCTION OF BIOMASS TONNES / HECTARE / YEAR 25 200+ (80 TONNES DRY BIOMASS) 100 WATER REQUIRIMENTS HIGH NONE - VERY LOW VERY HIGH FIELD LABOUR HIGH MINIMUM HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT (FERTILIZERS-INSECTICIDES) VERY HIGH VERY LOW HIGH ENERGETIC BALANCE 1.3 12+ (Est.) 8.2 AGRICULTURAL VALUE OF LAND VERY HIGH VERY LOW VERY HIGH DEMAND AS FOOD VERY HIGH NONE HIGH SUGARS 5% - 11% 27% – 42% 10% - 14%

8. CELLULOSIC ETHANOL PRODUCTION PRODUCT / PROCESS POPLAR TREE (GMO) AGAVE (cultivar) SWITCHGRASS YEARS TO HARVEST 7 6 10 DRY BIOMASS TONNES/HA/YR 13 – 20 80 6 – 20 ETHANOL PRODUCTION GALLONS/HA/YR 1,300 – 2,000 8,000 600 – 2,000 ENERGETIC BALANCE 12 12+ (Est.) 7 AGRICULTURAL VALUE OF LAND HIGH VERY LOW VERY HIGH WATERING AND AGROCHEMICALS REQUIREMENTS VERY HIGH VERY LOW VERY HIGH

9. DRY BIOMASS PER HECTARE

12. CELLULOSE FOR PAPER MAKING Each hectare of agave produces 52 tonnes of cellulose per year One tonne of cellulose is around US$700 Producing cellulose from agaves is 50% cheaper than from trees and needs, at least, one year less time to harvest Cellulose from agave can be used for: currency/security/writing-printing paper, tea bags, coffee filters, disposable diapers, toilet paper, cardboard glasses, napkins, disposable diapers, etc. FIBER FOR FURNITURE, PRESSED BOARDS, MDF AND MOULDINGS Agave fibre is used in furniture production (exported to the USA) It could be used for making platforms for transportation industry as well as for moulded furniture and articles and for pressed boards . Agave pressed boards cost 60% less than wood pressed boards PULP AND PAPER MARKETS GROW STEADILY

13. BIOPLASTICS MARKET GROWS 50% EACH YEAR IN THE EU BIOPLASTICS 100 % fast recyclable Manufactured from cellulose, starch, polymers or molasses. Compete with plastics in characteristics, quality and price Brazil will open a Bio-polyethylene plant from the ETHANOL in 2009 Industrial uses: Packaging, transport, agriculture, automobile, construction, educational materials, home, furniture, toys... FRUCTOSE SYRUP Agave produces 2X more fructose syrup than yellow corn. It is also healthier, can even be consumed by diabetics. High demand in the food, beverage and pharmacist industries: Sodas, health food, diet products, marmalades, honeys, syrups, food and medication for diabetics, condensed milk, child medications, probiotics, nutraceutics…

14. Arturo Vélez Jiménez [email_address] Phone-Fax: +(5255) 5544 5832 Mobile: 04455 3424 9126