Performing Department
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Non Technical Summary
PKS Consulting Inc.'s proposal for the USDA's SBIR Phase II aligns with Subtopic 8.6: Rural Development, Subtopic 2: Development of New Services, focusing on recycling PET plastic waste via the Mobile Grizzly Brick Production System to mitigate environmental pollution and foster economic growth in rural areas. This initiative directly supports the USDA's Strategic Goals by combating climate change through sustainable waste management and expanding economic opportunities in rural communities by creating jobs and promoting local manufacturing. Leveraging previous support from EPA, NOAA, and investors, our project introduces a transformative solution for managing Plastic Ocean Waste, Post Consumer Resins, and Ocean Bound Plastics, converting them into valuable recycled products. This approach not only addresses the critical issue of plastic waste but also stimulates economic development in rural coastal Alaska, offering a sustainable model for local economies. The Mobile Grizzly Brick Production System is designed to be replicated nationwide, embodying a vision where communities leverage environmental challenges for economic and innovative growth. Phase II will focus on constructing and testing the Grizzly Brick Production System, with pilot testing in communities engaged with the Grizzly Wood Production System that has been developed under prior funding. Our innovative, decentralized recycling solution reduces costs and fosters local engagement, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of Grizzly Bricks for outdoor construction and promote a culture of recycling. Led by Patrick Simpson and supported by a skilled team, this project promises significant environmental and economic benefits, aligning with NIFA's program goals and objectives.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
During Phase II, we will build the Mobile Grizzly Brick Production system and conduct pilot testing in four coastal Alaska communities Seward, Soldotna, Palmer and Anchorage. We will sell the Grizzly Bricks through sales channels that are currently being established for Grizzly Wood.
Project Methods
Work PlanDuring Phase II, there will be a set of seven tasks performed over 24 months. Per the solicitation, we have assumed a September 1, 2024 start date. The following sections describe the activities undertaken by each task.Task 1: Mobile Grizzly Brick Production System BuildThe system design that was specified in the Phase I Final Report will guide American Cierra Plastic (ACP), the firm that will be building our Mobile Grizzly Brick Production System. ACP built our Mobile Grizzly Wood Production System (ACP 2022). In the first month following award, PKS Consulting will confirm the design with ACP and initiate the build. ACP can build this unit in 4 months, making it ready for shipment to Alaska during month 6. We will ship the system from Auburn NY to Palmer AK where the initial Pilot Testing will be conducted.Task 2: Operation PlanThe operational plan will specify the logistics for each of the target communities during each year. Using the operational plan that was provided in the Phase I Final Report as a guide, we will specify the stockpile/processing location in each community, the logistics required for bringing the equipment into the community, the local accommodations and temporary labor for staff, and the intended sales for the Grizzly Bricks that are produced. We have been collecting and stockpiling PET in Soldotna/Kenai, Palmer/Wasilla, and Seward for the past two years as part of the Mobile Grizzly Wood Production system pilot testing, so we have direct experience in each of these areas that will make operational planning accurate and reliable.A significant addition to the operational plan will be the incorporation of Kamilo's tracking application. Our operations will require us to provide dates, weight by resin type, location in Lat/Lon coordinates, and source for the plastics that will be processed in each of our target communities. We will integrate the Kamilo Tracking Application during year two.Task 3: Year One Pilot TestsPilot tests will be conducted in three communities during Year One: Palmer, Seward, and Anchorage. Once the system has been delivered, which is expected toward the end of the 6th month after award, we will immediately begin processing PET and Glass to make Grizzly Bricks. We have been stockpiling PET in Palmer and Seward for the past two years, providing us with a readily available material stream for plastics. The Municipality of Anchorage and the Palmer Recycling Facility (VCRS) have an abundance of recycled glass that we can purchase at a very low rate. We will purchase this recycled glass during the first six months and have it ready for processing when the system arrives from New York.We have scheduled two months for the pilot tests at each location. This allows for time to mobilize, demobilize and process for four continuous weeks. Following Palmer, we will relocate the Mobile Grizzly Brick Production system to Seward for pilot testing. Following Seward, we will relocate the equipment to Anchorage where the final pilot test for Year One will be done.Task 4: System Maintenance and UpgradesDuring the first three months of Year Two, and following the Anchorage Pilot Test, we will return the system to Palmer where we will conduct annual maintenance tasks such as cleaning, lubrication, screw and barrel inspection, rotor and hammer inspection, heating and cooling system checks, screen inspection, hydraulic system check, mold inspection, and housing inspection. If there are any upgrades needed, they will also be done at this time. Possible upgrades can include new heating elements, control systems, and molds.Task 5: Year Two Pilot TestsPilot tests will be conducted in three communities during Year Two: Palmer, Soldotna, and Anchorage. Two of these communities (Palmer and Anchorage) will be repeat visits. We have scheduled two months for each community, allowing ample time for the equipment to be moved to the site and mobilized before conducting four weeks of continuous processing. PET plastics are already being stockpiled in these communities. We anticipate having at least 50,000 lbs for processing at each location. We will work with Soldotna to secure recycled glass for processing. We will begin stockpiling the glass immediately upon award.Task 6: Business PlanThe Phase I Final Report provided a Commercialization Plan (Business Plan) that included The Product, The Market, The Competition, The Marketing Strategy, the Management Team, and a set of Financial Projections (see included Commercialization Plan).During Phase II, this business plan will be updated twice, at the end of each year, respectively. The updated business plan will include refined financial projections using data collected during production. This plan will also summarize the markets that have been targeted and the sales that have been generated in each of these markets.One of the significant additions to the Business Plan will be the incorporation of revenue generation from Plastic Credits. This nascent business area is emerging, with several different approaches being proposed (Liu, Zhang & Medda 2021 & 2022; Lee 2021, Proof et al. 2022). We will work closely with Kamilo to determine the best strategy for bringing our plastic credits to market. Their value will enhance our product sales, but the extent of this value is yet to be determined by the market.Following Phase II, this business plan will be used to secure additional capital that will be needed for further expansion into additional Alaskan communities. One addition to the business plan will be capital requirements for growth. This discussion will focus on the expected return on investment (ROI) for new investors.Task 7: ReportingA mid-term report will be produced at the end of Year One. A Final Report will be produced at the end of Year Two. These reports will provide a comprehensive overview of the activities conducted during the Phase II effort. In addition to reporting our progress to the USDA, these reports will serve as valuable appendices for the business plan, providing potential investors with an extensive overview of the technology, the operations, and the testing that support the validity of the underlying business model.