This inclusion reflects Biogold’s commitment to the
responsible management of the environment. Biogold
recognises that there is a need for the agricultural
sector to move away from predominantly chemically
derived processes towards more biological processes
and wishes to act as a leader/pioneer in this field.
Biogold recognises that these biological processes should
however NOT compete with food production.
Wood and fibre substitutes
Bamboo
As both wood and water resources required to
produce wood grow more scarce across the globe, the
utilisation of fast growing products that can act as wood
substitutes has becomes more critical. Bamboo is the
ideal product to fulfill this role. It is fast growing and has
a wide climatic adaptability across a range of species.
Bamboo trees experience prodigious growth within their
first three years and exhibit high flexibility and strength.
Thereafter, yielding is continuous with the requirement
of replant. Bamboo it is a better wood substitute than
most of the current soft woods. Selective species are
also ideal for fibre extraction with potential application
across a broad range of products from clothing to paper
to insulation.
Cotton
Cotton remains a preferred sustainable component of
clothing fibre production. However, greater climatic
variability and rising costs of production, has forced
the majority of production into marginal and third world
environments. New cotton selections that have greater
disease resistance and climatic adaptability are vital
for the future of organic cotton production. The Biogold
International group is committed to exploring the
development and commercialisation of new cotton
selections and products for worldwide application.
Biofuels
A growing environmental consciousness and simultaneous
acknowledgement of a continued need for a consistent
energy supply is the impetus behind “green energy.”
Biogold however recognises the potential threats posed by
this seemingly positive development in the energy sector,
in the sense that essential food supplies (usually in third
world nations) may be converted into energy instead.
As a result of this threat, Biogold has focused its energies on
the procurement of two non-competitive green energy
sources, namely bamboo and sweet sorghum. These
products produce high energy outputs efficiently in
temperate climates and are not potential food sources.
Selected Jatropha species, suitable for arid region
production, have been added to the product range.
Industrial substrates
Cassava is the best source of industrial starch. Improved
selections of cassava multiplied through tissue culture
will provide impetus for the development of this product
and improve production capabilities. Biogold has identified
this potential and is involved in product development
and the eventual commercialization thereof.
Health products
In today’s world, there is a far greater drive amongst
more educated consumers to use natural products to
improve general health and nutrition. At the same
time, faced with ever-increasing cases of diet-related
obesity and resultant diabetes and heart disease,
scientists and doctors continuously search for healthy
sugar alternatives. Stevia is an exciting new natural
alternative to sugar, without any calories and also
without the negative connotations and potential health
risks often associated with synthetic sweeteners. Biogold
International (Biogold) has identified the potential of
superior selections of Stevia as a healthy, natural source
for a new form of low calorie sweetener. |
