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July/August 2005 Living Now
New Agricultural Mulch Poised to Revolutionize Commercial Agriculture

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, May 5, 2005 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- EcoCover, a New Zealand manufacturing firm, has developed an agricultural mulch cover, a world first, that offers a unique manufacturing business opportunity. "Business investment opportunities come and go but the introduction of our product may prove to be one of this century's most promising because it could very well revolutionize commercial farming, marginal forestry plantings and landscaping methods. It's already starting to do that in New Zealand," says Murray Cruickshank, the company's CEO and founder.

EcoCover laid on a 60m (200ft) bank cut and pinned around established Roses prior to full planting and bark cover.

An alternative to plastic agricultural mulch covers, EcoCover solves a myriad of problems faced by commercial growers and landscapers and it is environmentally friendly. "EcoCover is not only compostable and biodegradable, it conserves water, reduces plant mortality, controls weeds, promotes plant growth, moderates soil temperature, reduces soil erosion, eliminates or reduces herbicide use and can also be used to carry beneficial soil additives," Cruickshank says. "This makes EcoCover the only environmentally friendly, sustainable agricultural mulch mat in the world. Its attributes make it the ultimate solution for a variety of problems."

EcoCover is produced as a patented composite laminate from paper that would otherwise be introduced into the waste stream. "To our way of thinking, the fact that EcoCover is manufactured using landfill waste makes it the perfect environmentally sustainable product. Unlike traditional agricultural mulch and plastic agricultural mulch covers, it doesn't have a single negative attribute," he says. It is organic, compostable, biodegradable, conserves water, reduces plant mortality, controls weeds, promotes plant growth, moderates soil temperature, reduces soil erosion, eliminates or reduces herbicide use and is a carrier of beneficial additives for the soil.

Typical condition of the soil under EcoCover mulch mat - moist, rich and healthy [Photo courtesy Massey University]

"EcoCover allows growers to make more efficient use of limited water resources, reducing usage by as much as 80%. In addition, it also reduces and in most instances eliminates the need to use herbicides which prevents the contamination of local groundwater supplies," says Cruickshank. Currently, the only truly effective agricultural mulch covers available to commercial growers are made of plastic and, as derivative petroleum products; they have limited application and present several unique handling problems. "Aside from the fact that polyethylene mulch mats share few of EcoCover's positive attributes, landscapers increasingly dislike introducing further plastic on the landscape and farmers are fed up with the high cost and hassle of removing plastic from their fields. Many are also facing two additional problems - increasing landfill charges and outright refusals to landfill the material at all," he says.

EcoCover solves both of these problems. Since the product is 100% biodegradable, it doesn't have to be removed let alone disposed of. Its use also reduces paper and plastic waste which accounts for more than 40% of most landfills. EcoCover is environmentally beneficial (not neutral). EcoCover has been patented in 21 countries and presents itself as an attractive business investment opportunity. "An investment in an EcoCover production plant affords them the means to reinvent themselves and to remain competitive. EcoCover also allows manufacturers in traditional agricultural supply markets facing increasing global competition brought about by the removal or lowering of trade barriers, the means to get a jump on the competition," Cruickshank says. EcoCover's use is not defined by geography, climate or industry. The product has been tested in a variety of climates and has proven to be a valuable means to insulate soil and plant roots in colder climates. In arid climates it provides growers the means to reduce water consumption and to sustain soil moisture.

What is more, as a manufacturing business, EcoCover offers an unlimited potential for diversification. "To cite just a few examples, in the construction industry EcoCover could be used as an insulator. It can be used for livestock bedding, as landfill daily cover, padded floor coverings, used in a wide variety of packaging materials as well as an unlimited number of molded products," Cruickshank says. "As an investor, if you are looking at starting your own manufacturing business, one with a sustainable business plan, EcoCover may be the answer you've been looking for," Cruickshank says. Investors looking for business investment opportunities are encouraged to add EcoCover's manufacturing business opportunity to their list.

To obtain further information as well as a sample of the product itself, interested parties are encouraged to contact one of the company's regional representatives. CONTACT: Murray Cruickshankd, CEO EcoCover Developments Limited , New Zealand. P: *64 (0) 9 836 3338, F: *64 (0) 9 836 3318, M: *64 (0) 21 835854.

For more information visit the EcoCover website: www.ecocover.com