The manufacturing process has a number of distinct practical and environmental advantages over existing fibre production (wood industry) processes. In short, this invention and process converts what would otherwise be waste into a useable, in demand of products. The benefits include:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions – banana plantation waste emits considerable methane gases when they are left to decompose. Papyrus processes this waste so that it is no longer left to decompose.
• Replacing plastics in food packaging – plastic food packaging causes serious environmental and health issues and commonly used natural plastic replacements such as bagasse and wood pulp are more expensive and energy intensive. Papyrus’ banana fibre replaces plastic, bagasse and wood pulp in many food packaging uses.
• Water – the primary production process does not require additional water during production and water is a by-product of the production process.
• Energy – compared to traditional methods of manufacture, the Papyrus process requires only a small percentage of the energy used by traditional processes. This is because Papyrus uses the existing strong bonds within the banana fibre to create its product whereas conventional timber fibre requires high levels of energy to break down the natural bonds so the fibre is ready for pulping.
• Chemical waste – the Papyrus process does not rely on chemical additives to assist the production process. There is no chemical or toxic waste.
• Landfill – the production of fibre from timber yields a broad distribution of fibres many of which are too short for practical use. Hence there are significant contributions to landfill from the conventional process which will not result from the Papyrus fibre manufacturing process.
• Sustainable development – the raw material used to produce the banana fibre is a secondary waste product. The Papyrus technology makes use of this secondary waste product, converting it into useable, in-demand, sustainable products.

Papyrus’ proprietary technology is the cumulative result of more than 15 years of research and development to arrive at an environmentally sustainable process for the transformation of an unutilised resource into useful products with broad appeal across a variety of markets. The manufacturing process is less complex than other methods using traditional raw materials such as timber, so existing technologies do not apply.

The Papyrus manufacturing process needed to be developed from the ground up. The existing technologies are also very mature and extremely costly to modify in order to process fibres from alternative raw materials. Additionally, most researchers have not been successful in sourcing a new fibre resource that does not create more problems than are solved by it use. However, after many years of research and development our founder and Managing Director, Ramy Azer, found the banana fibre represents a distinct advantage over traditional alternative fibre sources.

The Papyrus technology converts banana tree leaves, stalks and trunks into refined banana fibre. There are many potential product applications for Papyrus’ refined banana fibre including compressed fibre (MDF substitute), paper and furniture. Papyrus’ immediate focus is the rollout of the technology to produce fibre and moulded food packaging including trays, plates, cup holders, egg cartons and clam shells.

Papyrus’ vision is to be the global technology leader for the conversion of banana plantation waste into consumable products.

In order to achieve this vision, Papyrus’ commercialisation strategy is to partner with organisations in major growing regions around the world.

Partnership opportunities range from agri waste supply agreements where the grower is financially compensated for supplying Papyrus with plantation waste, to joint venture partnerships where Papyrus and the local organisation would jointly set up banana fibre and/or moulded packaging product processing plants on or near plantations.

The current policy of the Board of Directors is that any profits realised during the development phase of the company will be re-invested into the business of the company.

Environmental Benefits

• Investing in Papyrus Australia Ltd is an investment in helping to save our planet thanks to the environmental benefits our technology offers. The Papyrus technology alleviates two key environmental and sustainability issues.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions – banana plantation waste emits considerable methane gases when they are left to decompose. Papyrus processes this waste so that it is no longer left to decompose.

Replacing plastics used in food packaging

• Plastic food packaging causes serious environmental and health issues and commonly used natural plastic replacements such as bagasse and wood pulp are expensive and energy intensive. Papyrus’ banana pulp replaces plastic, bagasse and wood pulp in many food packaging uses.

Demand & Market Potential – Globally there are 11.7m ha of banana and plantain plantations, resulting in 2.5b tonnes of agri waste per year that can be used by Papyrus’ technology.

There is a clear demand in the market for cost effective, environmentally sustainable products, however, most researchers have not been successful in sourcing new fibre resource that does not create more problems than are solved by its use. Products manufactured using banana fibres have a smaller carbon footprint and possess enhanced physical properties. Not only does the Papyrus process reduce the generation of methane, it also creates products that are sustainable alternatives to plastic, forest wood and chemicals.

The ASX code for Papyrus Australia Ltd is ‘PPY’.

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