FLOWERS CHEMICAL LABS and PRC to expand China Strategy

After a successful mission to China, FCL and PRC have joined forces in an expansive operation to test air quality. The project known as FAQTS (Flowers Air Quality Testing Seal) will test dwellings for toxic fumes. Addressing a major problem in China, FAQTS will determine at what level toxic fumes are being emitted from builidng materials and furnishings. For more information email chinaconnection@cfl.rr.com or visit www.flowerslabs.com

The current technology, facilities, and operational procedures in China are outdated and arcane. Firms with extensive experience, western technology and worldwide accreditation can achieve incredible financial prosperity in the environmental science industry in China. Government entities are aggressively looking towards veteran western firms to foster leadership and collaboration to help solve these tremendous problems. China will require foreign technologies and project financing to attain the goals of the Trans-Century Green Project and requirements of the World Trade Organization. Market segments that will have the highest demand for U.S. resources are air pollution control, drinking water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, resource recovery, and energy. Additionally, China must upgrade its antiquated environmental and agricultural testing laboratories.

Proceeding from its national conditions, China has, in the process of promoting its overall modernization program, made environmental protection one of its basic national policies, regarded the realization of sustainable development as an important strategy and carried out throughout the country large-scale measures for pollution prevention and control as well as ecological environment protection. Meanwhile, in order for China to meet international environmental compliance, it will rely heavily on using foreign environmental products and services.

The range of hazardous waste in China is broad and their effects diverse. There are numerous instances of poor procedures of environmental science in China. The current Chinese practices employed for biological treatment of waste/wastewater and hazardous wastes will be changed. The new technologies described in the following are conventional treatment processes; their variations as well as recent research will be well received in both the major and minor cities of China. Substantiated and credible techniques in the field of in-situ bioreclamation of contaminated groundwater for cleaning up aquifers contaminated with organic pollutants, such as chlorinated solvents, petroleum products and pesticides. These particular environmental problems are some of the most critical. There are target markets and niches that will produce unlimited, and yet manageable opportunities for firms with experience and expertise.
Background

Flowers Chemical Laboratories, Inc., (FCL) is a nationally certified, full-service testing laboratory, which provides analytical and environmental laboratory services to governmental, municipalities, utilities, commercial, industrial and residential clients. Founded in 1957, FCL has been certified by the State of Florida's Department of Environmental Regulation and the Department of Health for more than two decades. FCL was the first laboratory in the State of Florida to design, implement and obtain approval for its Comprehensive QA/QC Plan. FCL is licensed for the possession of radioactive materials.

FCL currently works with world-class clients such as British Petroleum, BASF, Agilent, the State of Florida and numerous municipalities. In addition, FCL is accredited with the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, which meets the ISO9000 series of standards. Once again, FCL was the first laboratory in the state of Florida to achieve national accreditation through A2LA. Dr. Jefferson S. Flowers is its president and succeeded his father, founder of FCL. Dr. Flowers co-authored the national standard for environmental testing for the United States, an arduous 8-year process. For more information, see www.flowerslabs.com

Pacific Rim Corporation (PRC), founded in 1992, is among the most successful liaison facilitators in the China trade." It maintains offices in China, Australia, Germany, and the United States. PRC has forged agreements between numerous Chinese and Western companies, including Atlantic Gulf Communities, Walt Disney Cancer Research Institute, CMI/Kansas City Power & Light, Ayiko Europe, Genesis Technologies, Motorola China, the Florida Department of Commerce, Carlson Hospitality Group, China Academy of Sciences, the Bank of China, eProtea Technologies, Goodyear Rubber & Tire Company, and others. It is estimated that successful contracts exceed USD 650 million in value. For more information, visit www.pacificrimcorporation.com

Now that Flowers Chemical Laboratories and Pacific Rim Corporation have completed the first mission to China in March 2002, the parties can quantify and focus on specific projects in China. This program is designed to successfully commercialize FCLs endeavors in China, while sincerely and earnestly attempting to improve the environment and living conditions in that country. To achieve these ends, FCL has established Flowers Chemical Laboratories International, Inc. (FCLI), designed to negotiate profitable and enforceable contracts while forging reputable and professional alliances in China.

FCLI Air Quality Testing Seal (FAQTS)
China faces a serious environmental and economic problem in the contamination of air quality in newly constructed dwellings. At present, over 2,000 skyscrapers are under construction in Shanghai. FAQTS initial focus is in the Yangtze River Delta, with a population exceeding 60 million.

FAQTS will test dwellings to ascertain specific levels of air quality, examine test results, and issue a Seal of Occupancy at an estimated retail cost of USD 250 per certificate. At present, such units cannot be occupied safely until contaminants are eliminated. Such delays sometimes require occupants six months of waiting, while they pay dual rents or mortgages.

The most significant chemical contaminants to test indoor air quality for an apartment are Formaldehyde, Ozone, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Benzene, and Petroleum Hydrocarbons.

These compounds are known to be emitted from building materials or mans activities in a city environment. Each one is known to affect respiratory health and needs to be at acceptable concentration levels prior to inhabiting the living space.

FCLI does not recommend testing apartment air for Radon (previously discussed). Radon is an inert element that is also radioactive. The main sources for this are vapors emitted from the earth. FCLI is unaware of any man made sources of radon that would be relevant to apartments.

The air testing needs in Shanghai can be accomplished several ways as indicated: Field Acquired Data: Detector tubes, utilizing pumps or bellows, and Chip Measurement System; Lab Acquired Data: Active (pumped) Field Sampling followed by Local Lab Testing.

The setup costs for the Field Acquired Data will be much lower than trying to establish a lab for performing the tests. The training costs for the personnel involved will also be much lower for field staff than if a lab is to be established.

FCLI suggests to startup the operation using Field Acquired Data with either detector tubes or Chip Measurements. This will allow us to concentrate on the logistical problems of the new company and get the staff trained on customer service and reporting aspects. Then as we grow we can expand into lab operations as needed.

FCLI would provide field measurements of the above listed compounds and issue technical reports to the clients by use of the Internet. FCL currently has a web based reporting mechanism that can be expanded for this new company. One can review an example report from FCL by going to www.flowerslabs.com; press Clients Only and log in with User ID visit@flowerslabs.com with Password 'visitor.

By using the existing FCL web site as the report generator, a new data system will not have to be created for tracking or producing the reports. The Web site will provide for printing a PDF file for the final report and invoice.

FCLI needs to accomplish the following tasks:
(1)   Establish testing protocols.
(2)   Establish reporting/Billing protocols
(3)   Create Standard Operating Procedures
a.   Operations
b.   Maintenance
c.   Client contact
d.   Office functions
(4)   Establish Training documents for staff
(5)   Build Internet data entry/reporting mechanism
(6)   Bring FCL Training personnel to Shanghai
(7)   Create a marketing campaign
(8)   Consider accepting a financial partner
(9)   Explore a secondary business opportunity of remediation, which is not included in this model.

Remediation aspects that are removing of the fumes from units may be considered as a secondary business or a sublicensing opportunity.