Title of the idea: Development of biodegradable masks

I. Problem statement

As the COVID-19 cases continue to grow, face masks have become an absolute

necessity for all of us. Wearing masks are proven to give protection against the respiratory

droplets of those who cough or sneeze around us. Many companies developed and produced

single-use masks which are made up of synthetic material and are non-degradable in nature,

to cater the needs of the public but disregarding its effect to the environment. More

consumers purchase and wear these surgical masks in an effort to reduce the spread of the

virus but many have noted the detrimental environmental impact of the increased use of these

single-use masks by pointing out the number of disposable products filling up landfills and

waterways.

II. Proposed Solution

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shortage of personal protective equipment for

usage of the public especially the fronliners. Even though there is a continuing influx in the

production of disposable personal protective equipment, the materiality of any single-use

item needs to be carefully considered. The sustainable use of waste products like bagasse and

used tea bags for the production of masks make a lot of sense.
III. Details of the product

Raw Materials

Bagasse

Bagasse is the leftover residue after crushing and processing sugarcane to remove the

sugar juice. Aside from making it as a fuel for power plants, bagasse is also famous in the

pulp and paper industry. Sugarcane mills around Negros – Victorias Milling Corp., BISCOM,

etc. will be the supplier of the raw material.

Used tea bags

This material will be collected from different cafes around Bacolod where tea-based

products are common.

Production of the product

1
COLLECTION AND PREPARATION OF BAGASSE.
Bagasse will be collected from the different sugarcane mills
around Negros Occidental. The collected bagasse will be sun-
dried and will be passed through water vat to remove dust.

There will be one (1) truck assigned to collect 30 tons of

bagasse from partner mills.

2
Labor: 2 workers

BAGASSE PULP. After the batch processes of drying and

washing the bagasse, it will be cooked with 10% caustic
solution and then blended in mixer for the creation of pulp.

Needed chemical: Caustic solution

Equipment needed: Batch blender for 60 tons of bagasse

Labor: 3 workers

3
CREATION OF BAGASSE PAPER. Starting from bagasse
pulp, the material will be loaded to the automatic paper maker
equipment.

Raw material: Treated bagasse pulp

Equipment needed: Automatic paper maker equipment

Labor: 2 workers

4
CHROMATOGENY. Also called chromatografting is a
process that brings hydrophobicity to papers and boards.
Making the bagasse paper into water-proof mask is essential
for it will stop the droplets containing the virus from
spreading.

Process (pilot): Bagasse paper will be coated with starch +

Fluorinated product (C6)

[Assuming that the method passed the biodegradability and

recyclability tests]

Labor: 2 workers
 5
MOLDING OF THE MASK. After the coating of the bagasse
paper, the product will then undergo a process where it is
molded into masks.

Equipment needed: Mask molder equipment

Labor: 2 workers

6
PUTTING THE VALVE, USED TEA BAG FILTERS AND
PUTTING REUSABLE GARTERS. The putting of the used
tea bag filters, valve, and reusable garters will be done
manually.

Labor: 7 workers

7
PACKING OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT. The packaging
material is also made of untreated bagasse paper bag to lessen
and to make use of the extra untreated paper. It will be packed
manually.

Labor: 3 workers
IV. Target customers

Since this is a pilot plant, the target of this production is big companies that will

help/offer a large-scale technique to produce these biodegradable masks. If effective and

mass-produced already, the target of these masks will be the public, especially the

environmentalists.

Even though this product is costly compared to common non-biodegradable masks, its

biodegradability will be its unique feature that can compete in the market. Many

environmental organizations urge people to buy biodegradable masks since this pandemic has

really increased the amount of non-biodegradable single-use plastics found in bodies of water

and landfills. These organizations advocate the use of these eco-friendly masks to reduce the

further damage of commercial masks to the environment.

V. Estimated cost of the business

Amount
Area (rented far from the city) 495 square meter Php594 000.00
Php100/square meter (whole year)
Workers 21 workers Php4 104 000.00
Php 18 000/worker
Batch blender 2 sets (capacity: 600 Php 130 896.00
kgs/set)
Full automatic pulp paper making machine 1 set Php 775 680.00
Chromatogeny process Php 7 272.00/ton of paper Php 2 617 920.00
CNC moulds for face masks 10 sets Php 290 880.00
Plastic filter exhalation breath valve 6000 pcs Php 8 726.40
Reusable Garters Php 5.00/meter Php 15 000.00
Automatic multi-purpose sewing machines 7 sets Php. 13 574.40
Automatic paper sealer 1 set Php. 48 480.00
Electricity Whole year Php 1 000 000.00
Total amount: Php 9 599 156.40
Contingency fund Php 400 843.60