Frequently Asked Questions
Expedite
Why is this project a good candidate for Expedite Approval?
USCIS can give approval to expedite adjudication based on several factors including humanitarian needs and in the interest of the United States. We feel that our project qualifies for those reasons and should be granted approval to have investor’s petitions adjudicated more quickly.
What is the process for a project to be granted Expedite Approval?
An investor petition is prepared and submitted to USCIS for Expedite Approval.
How will I know if a project has been granted Approval?
USCIS will notify the investor.
Products
What products are you making and are they used for?
We make structural and non-structural panels used for building homes, work and educational facilities. Our materials are non-soluble, inorganic, fire, water, mold and earthquake resistant while being energy efficient.
How are they different from what others are producing?
Our products are made in the USA from the highest quality materials under strict quality controls in a facility that adheres to International Code Council (ICC) and NTA standards certified to ensure the highest product quality and dependability. We use no organic fillers and have a patented and proprietary formulation to deliver the highest 517 phase material in the world.
Who are your competitors?
We plan to be the first Magnesium Oxysulfate (MoS) board manufacturer outside of China. Currently the world’s supply of MgO and MoS board all comes from China with its supply chain, delivery and quality control issues.
Why are disruptions to the global supply chain good for your product?
Builders in the United States currently must order their MgO and MoS board panels from China which can be expensive, hard to obtain and of inconsistent quality making pricing and project delivery deadlines difficult to predict with certainty. The quality and dimensional stability of board panel in China is frequently inconsistent and of variable quality making installation and reliability issues for builders and their clients who rely on standardized quality, strength and flexibility.
Market
What is the cost to manufacture? What is the expected sales price?
We estimate that we can manufacture a 4’x8’x1/2” board for under $20 with approximately 2/3 of that cost for raw materials and the balance for labor, facilities, utilities and other production costs. The current market price, from China, is for between $50 – $65/board not including taxes, duties, insurance and transportation from the port. Estimated delivery times from China could be over six months.
What are the benefits?
MgO Fiber Cement boards are much lighter & more flexible than similar sized Portland Cement panels, much more fire, water, earthquake and mold resistant that Gypsum (drywall) or organic (lumber) based panels. MgO panels are typically more environmentally friendly, contain and emit much lower CO2 during production and more thermally efficient. Greater cost saving are achieved not only in simpler installation using less material, but long term operating expenses as well.
Operations & Plan
Where are you in the process of executing the business plan?
We have located and placed a deposit on a manufacturing site in Puerto Rico are negotiating an incentives package of over $10 million for equipment, hiring, research and development as well as a 1% tax rate for developing Innovative & Pioneering technology as well as products that can be exported.
Will you have all of the capital you need in order to carry out the plan?
We need at least $5 million of EB-5 or private equity investment to begin production. Much of that will be replaced by the incentives from the Economic Development Authority in Puerto Rico.
Jobs
How many people do you plan to employ?
Initially we will need approximately 50 FTP to set up the plant, installing the machinery, testing and initial production. Full scale production (one line/two shifts) of 10 homes per day, transportation and assembly of the structures on site will require close to 2,000 FTP.
Returns
How do you plan to make money?
We can in three ways; the first is to sell only MgO / MOS board panel to the United States. The second would be to keep the panel to make housing structures with. The third would be a hybrid approach to keep the number of panels needed for home production and sell the balance as simple panels.
Science
Is your technology patented?
Yes, information on our proprietary technology can be found here.
What makes your process so special?
Decades of research into how to improve on centuries of technology of using magnesia as a cement binder (Great Wall of China) to creating a stable, flexible, non-soluble inorganic structural panel.
What testing needs to be done to certify your products?
We will be engaging the NTA to oversee conformance of our products to International Code Council standards as well as local wind, water and seismic codes such as the Florida High-Velocity Wind codes, California Residential Fire Codes and Los Angeles Seismic Building Codes.
Net-Zero
Why are your materials and designs good for the environment?
All of our materials can be fully recycled. The energy required is also far less than that required for traditional materials such as Portland Cement board panels as curing can be accomplished at room temperature.
What does Net-Zero mean?
A net zero building means that the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to or less than the amount of renewable energy (energy created by sources that are naturally replenished, such as wind, rain, or solar) created on-site. A net zero building is typically connected to the grid and can sell excess power, as well as buy additional power during times of high energy demand. However, over the course of an entire year, this building will be net zero because it cleanly produces as much energy as it consumes.
How can building Net-Zero achieve cost savings in the long-run?
Most zero net energy buildings get half or more of their energy from the grid, and return the same amount at other times. Buildings that produce a surplus of energy over the year may be called “energy-plus buildings” and buildings that consume slightly more energy than they produce are called “near-zero energy buildings” or “ultra-low energy houses.” Traditional buildings consume 40% of the total fossil fuel energy in the US and European Union and are significant contributors of greenhouse gases. The zero net energy consumption principle is viewed as a means to reduce carbon emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels and although zero-energy buildings remain uncommon even in developed countries, they are gaining importance and popularity.