PRESS RELEASE ENGLISH
ORIGINAL: July 26th 2010
Contact: Karen Hutchens
Phone: (619) 236-0227
Mobile: (619) 985-7800
E-mail: Karen@HutchensPR.com
“GreenHouse Soluciones” Company will aid tequila industry with sustainable solutions for waste, water and energy
SAN DIEGO, Calif., (August 2010) – GreenHouse Soluciones (GHS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GreenHouse Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: GRHU), recently completed the purchase of a 25-acre parcel of land in Amatitan-Tequila Valley located in Jalisco, the heart of Mexico’s tequila producing region.
Groundbreaking is planned in August for Phase 1 of the GHS operations, which include construction of a facility to produce compost from the fibrous waste of tequila production, known as bagasse. The company’s future plans include the reprocessing of vinasse—another by-product of tequila production—to convert agave waste into clean energy by replacing the fuel oil that is currently used in the distillation process.
“Executives of the tequila industry invited GreenHouse to the region last year and asked us to develop an environmental sustainability plan to support the growing industry, so we immediately mobilized to form GreenHouse Soluciones with our local partners Sergio Gonzalez Rivera and Carlos Gonzalez Rivera, who are owners of a small tequilera in Jalisco,” said Chris Ursitti, CEO of GreenHouse.
GHS has developed a suite of integrated solutions which will utilize all of the capacities of the agave plant for use in everything from composting, renewable energy production and recapturing clean water, to the development of commercial products such as fiberboard.
“Our composting facility in Jalisco will produce approximately 30,000 tons of compost annually,” said GHS local partner, Sergio Gonzalez Rivera. “Production will begin in August and we will begin distributing to the local tequileras within 90 days. We are working with the tequilerias in the area to develop this plan, and they are pleased to have the compost as a lower cost alternative and more environmentally friendly option to chemical fertilizers to support the cultivation of agave.”
The tequila industry employs over 38,000 people in Jalisco, with many brands produced regionally. Market demand is strong; production has doubled between 1995 and 2005. However, with increased production comes both environmental challenges and opportunities.
For every liter of tequila bottled, the process generates approximately five kilograms of agave pulp (basasse) and 10 liters of liquid waste (vinasse). Currently, most of these by-products are discharged into landfills, therefore seeping into the rivers and water supply of the region.
“Working collaboratively with the University of Guadalajara, state and federal environmental agencies and the tequila industry, we have developed an integrated strategy to significantly reduce the agave waste stream to the landfills. This process will also improve water quality and ultimately help to sustain and grow the economy and quality of life for residents of the valley,” said Ursitti.
“There are significant opportunities to boost the local economy through job development, improve the environment and create a positive effect on the quality of the tequila produced in Jalisco,” said Congressman Gustavo Macias Zambrano. “I am pleased to see the collaboration between these agencies to develop a long-term, sustainable plan for the region.”
Based on a study completed by University of Guadalajara Professor G. Iniguez-Covarrubias, it is more economical to use compost than chemical fertilizers in the cultivation of agave. Chemical fertilizers deplete soil nutrients, release green house gases and produce toxic run off that eventually flows to the rivers and the ocean. Composting the soil reduces the cost of tequila production and benefits the environment. However, there is insufficient compost to meet the demand that exists in the region.
“I am very excited to partner with GreenHouse Soluciones and apply my studies in the field of agricultural science to this project,” said Dr. Iniguez-Covaarrubias. “This plan will not only help improve the environment, but will also work with the tequila industry to produce high-quality, organic products that are much needed in this region.”
According to Dr. Iniguez-Covarrubias, the GHS composting facility will reduce 53,000 tons of waste that currently goes in to the landfills every year. His research shows that one liter of vinasse can be sprayed on the bagasse as it is being composted with no ill effects to the environment. Therefore, GreenHouse would be able to eliminate over 7 million gallons of vinasse annually in this manner.
For more information about GreenHouse Soluciones, please visit http://www.greenhouseintl.com/.
