BIOCHUTE
TEAM WOLF-GANG

Keep your boats clean and our waters pristine.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Marine debris is a global problem where large areas of concentrated marine waste areformed by ocean currents1. From surface water to deep-sea sediments, approximately
80% of all these marine debris is plastic waste; equivalent to 8 million tons of plastic
yearly. This threatens the marine environment in aspects of ocean health, food safety
and quality, human health, coastal tourism, and climate change. Over 200 marine species
have been affected by entanglement of plastic, which resulted to open wounds,infections, and deaths of organisms2.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Marina’s flagship product, BioChuteis a non-intrusive boat attachmentthat uses the flow of water to collectdifferent types of marine plastic
litter. BioChute’s body is a recycled
PVC drum with an opening that is amouth for the different types oftrash that may be present.

Noting these statistics that highlight the danger plastic puts marine life in, MARINA
introduces the BioChute: a biofilter that collects drifting litter and removes minuscule
plastics found in waters. In line with the United Nations’ SDG 14, MARINA’s mission, is“to provide customers with tools that benefit all the seas they traverse and those thattravel with them.” Our vision is “oceans with life to enhance and no pollution to collect.”
The BioChute

There are strategically placed holes
in the hind portion of the productthat allows water to flow throughonce the plastic is filtered out of it.
As an added feature, BioChute has
a filtering sheet at the back end ofthe drum that uses a newly
endorsed glycoprotein that comesfrom jellyfish mucus. This material
attracts and captures microplastic
fragments. This ensures that theocean ecosystems that BioChutepasses through are not altered.
Considering jellyfish and comb
jellies naturally produce mucus withglycoproteins, the substance must
be collected; there is no excessive
carbon emission and waste
production from this substance.
A metal hatch with grids can also
be pulled up or put down by handso fish do not get trapped and fortrash not to flow out when not in use
or when the speed of the boat or
currents slows to almost a halt. The
rubbish accumulated can then bedisposed of properly.

THE TECHNOLOGY
Hydrokinetic Flow
The BioChute utilizes the boat’s movement; stream hydrokinetics attracts trash inside. As
the force of the boat pushing opposite of the water is significantly stronger, the force of
the water is directed to the sides. This will coax floating trash inside of the container
without utilizing power. The inserts placed on the back end of the BioChute and on thehatch which closes the chamber ensures continuously flowing water.
Jellyfish Mucus
With the increasing presence and threat of microplastic to marine life, jellyfish (Aureliaaurita) mucus has been promoted as a solution. The mucus, according to Akiko Masudaof the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Saitama, is a very simple type ofmucin that could serve as a building block for more complex compounds with otherproperties3. Jellyfish have been shown to fill in the gaps of ecological niches such as
overfishing and ocean acidification; however, these are seen as pests upon reaching theshores of beaches and known to clog intake pipes for nuclear plants. With the mucus’
ability to bind microplastic, the researchers targeted the filter towards wastewater
treatment plants as they are the largest producers of microplastic4. Jellyfish lives will not
be compromised to collect their mucus as swirling water with jellyfish using a stick will
already accumulate the mucus being excreted5.

{1} https://coast.noaa.gov/states/fast-facts/marine-debris.html{2} https://ocean.si.edu/conservation/pollution/marine-plastics{3} https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/17/science/17obse3.html{4} https://phys.org/news/2018-10-plastic-jellyfish-filters.html{5} https://www.nature.com/articles/srep11387{6} https://www.worldfinance.com/markets/counting-the-cost-of-plastic-pollution{7} https://www.nature.com/articles/srep11387{8} https://www.cnet.com/news/seabins-want-to-be-the-garbage-cans-of-theocean/OPERATIONSPROMOTION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES

Initial funds will be raised throughinvestmentsfromshipping
industries, namely UPS, Maersk,and FedEx Corporation. Whencreating the product, MARINA
plans to recycle 200-liter PVC binsfrom companies that dispose ofthem. The lids will be removed fromthe bins where other accessories
attached will be removed beforeholes are drilled. The bin itself will
have holes drilled at the bottom
before attaching a screen coatedwith jellyfish mucus inside. A slot
will be cut at the top and towards
the front of the bin’s opening toplace the new lid.

MARINA highlights a personalized customer relationship wherein customers may
avail for certain services such as an installment service. In addition to that, a manualis included with every purchase of the product. In the event that any damages would
occur, the consumer may contact the MARINA in order to receive assistance. Tutorial
videos and QR codes will also be utilized in economically-inclined countries whereas
the MARINA would reach out to local communities and non-governmentalorganizations to disseminate information and promote the product in platforms suchas seminars.

The Company will invest in custom
metal work to create beams that
attach the BioChute to the boat.
The bin will be attached to thebeams via swivel safety hasps
which will allow it to be detached toempty the contents and clean thescreen. The beams themselves will
be attached to the boat with corner
braces and screws.

Initial marketing to gain partners and recognition is meetings and panels with aninternational audience. To establish government-relations, participation in theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or other talks underinternational organizations like the UN or ASEAN is necessary. To garner nongovernmental recognition, MARINA can feature in Dive Expositions. Theseexpositions attract potential investors as the participants of such are interested in thepreservation of marine life and ecosystems.

MARKETThe market is those who regularlyinteract with ocean waters and are
therefore affected by marine debris
that impact their water activities.
The market can be divided into two:boatowners/users
andcoastline/shore inhabitants. Buyers
include large overseas shipping
companies such as UPS, Maersk,FedEx, Scuba Diving organizations
like PADI, residents such as resort
owners, and commercial fishingorganizations like Yellow Boat ofHope Foundation. MARINA will
have a focus in the Philippine
setting as it is the third largest
polluter of marine litter globally6 but
seeks to expand to other countries
once specific investors can beidentified and a market isestablished.

To advertise the purchase of our product, the company will emphasize the reductionof boat damage costs caused by trash scratching the sides of boats or floating debris
getting trapped in motors and propellers. Furthermore, cleaner waters will allow
those aboard the boat to better see the fish and coral below. Using these as pointsof significance caters more to the market’s interests and lessening marine debris isa secondary benefit. With regards to partnering with large industries andorganizations, we can highlight how partnering with MARINA is an asset in Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR).

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
The company’s primary competitor is the Seabin Project, which uses a similar
mechanism to collect trash. However, Seabin requires higher maintenance cost as it
is stationary, and it requires the usage of an electric pump in order to attract trash toits compartment. Since BioChute is designed to be secured onto a moving boat tocollect trash, the production of energy is no longer required to create a suction force,
rather, it uses the energy already present in the waters surrounding it. Seabin has
yet to successfully integrate technology that traps microplastics. BioChute utilizes afilter with a jellyfish mucus screen with glycoproteins that are shown to attract
nanoparticles8. In addition, the Seabin can only hold 1.5 kg of waste per day while
the BioChute is much larger with a capacity of 200 liters with its body which iscomprised of a PVC Bucket. The use of cost-effective materials allows us to price a
BioChute at $380 as compared to the Seabin at $41008.
FINANCE

FUTURE DIRECTION
Overall, MARINA uses upcycled material, organic substances, and toreduce costs and CO2 emissions. Further research will be done tounderstand jellyfish mucin’s effectiveness and possible alternatives orproperties which could be added to the base compound.

The company will spend $134.10 and $130 for rent
and marketing expenses respectively; the total
fixed cost is $295. The company will spend a totalof $172 for one unit. MARINA aims to create 25
units for the cost of $380. Past the breakeven, thecompany expects to gain $8740. MARINA needs$4595 to cover the first month’s costs. As thecompany continues to sell BioChutes, the units tosell will increase from 25 to 30 until it reaches 35
units. Expected profit for the first year is $71,465.