*** From The Bull & Bear, worth reading closely ***
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Itronics---High Tech Environmental Fertilizer
Golf courses in California are greener, thanks to an innovative, environmentally-friendly new fertilizer developed by Itronics, Inc. (OTC BB:ITRO), the world's only fully integrated photochemical recycling company.
Gold'n Gro -- a chelated, nutrient-rich fertilizer formulated from recycled photochemicals--soon will be marketed to win grape, citrus, avocado, leafy vegetable, and other commercial growers in the Western states, as well as golf courses throughout the region.
Itronics is expanding its collection services of photochemical waste generated by photolabs, printers, hospitals, medical offices and industrial sources nationwide through placement of on-site distillation systems, and strategic partnerships with collection companies. Photochemical wastes are the raw material needed to commercially produce the Gold'n Gro base "syrup."
Itronics' proprietary Gold'n Gro fertilizer formula took more than 10 years of research and development to perfect. It was developed directly from Itronic's proprietary photochemical waste detoxification process which recaptures 99.9 percent of silver, 5 -- 10 percent more than competitors are able to achieve. Virtually 100 percent of all other heavy metals are removed as well, and worked into a completely nonhazardous, inert, reflective jade-green glass matrix suitable for decorative tiles. The company thus has developed commercial uses for 100 percent of photochemical waste by-products.
"Our new technology is unique in the world. With Gold'n Gro, we have invented a better mouse trap--a winner that will be hard for our competitors to beat because the stuff works so well," says Itronics president Dr. John Whitney, an internationally recognized consultant who holds a Ph.D. in mineral economics from Penn State.
Gold'n Gro Ranked #1
Gold'n Gro ranks #1 in effectiveness against many established fertilizers, according to two golf course field tests conducted in 1996 and 1997 by the University of California Riverside. The study found the chelated solution is readily absorbed by plants. It improves both growth and quality, conditions and improves the soil, and produces less ground water nitrogen contamination than competing products. A variety of Gold'n Gro formulations meet many horticultural and agricultural needs.
The fertilizer is guaranteed free of heavy metals--meeting the most stringent environmental regulations. Gold'n Gro has been adopted by 70 major golf courses in just the past year--a number expected to grow to 200 by June. International inquiries are flooding in from such diverse countries as Japan, Portugal, Israel, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Indonesia. The company's web (www.itronics.com) is generating consumer interest.
An exclusive bulk manufacturing and marketing agreement with Western Farm Services, one of the largest distributors of fertilizers in the Western states--as well as pending agreements with East coast companies to provide other key services--position Itronics for a major break-out into the commercial market.
The Company
Itronics Inc. (Est. 1987) controls two subsidiaries. Itronics Metallurgical, Inc. (est. 1981) operates the company's pilot photochemical wast recycling plant, recovers both silver and a heavy metal glass matrix for resale, and produces the environmentally safe Gold'n Gro "syrup." Whitney & Whitney (est. 1977) consults for leading U. S. and foreign mining companies; utilities; state, federal and foreign governments; the United Nations; and the World Bank.
Most of Itronics' present revenues are derived from photochemical waste collection and processing services, the sale of recovered silver, and consulting. With $1.2 million in private placement financing in hand and more pledged to bridge its transition from R&D to a fully commercial venture, and renovation of a new manufacturing plant nearing completion, Itronics expects Gold'n Gro sales will represent a significantly higher percentage of income in the upcoming year.
Outlook
Itronics is strategically positioned to challenge the major players in the $6 billion U. S. Fertilizer market, according to Dr. Whitney. He projects a stronger silver market in 1999 and beyond, benefiting the ITRO's silver reclamation segment. Increasing worldwide regulatory oversight of the photographic industry ensures a growing market for its photochemical waste pickup and processing service. As processing capacity and fertilizer "syrup" production increase, the company will intensify marketing to golf courses and high-end horticultural and agricultural growers, first in Western states, then nationally and internationally.
ITRO is listed as a "speculative buy" by Donner Corp. Intl, a NASDAQ member and California investment banking firm: Itronics is a "highly undervalued" company with an "ideal business strategy... utilizing the waste from one industry to produce superior, quality products to sell to other industries."
Jay Taylor's Gold Resource & Environmental Stocks newsletter has just named Itronics its small cap tech stock "Top Pick for 1999," predicting "explosive growth" with "robust profit margins." Taylor's target ITRO price of $2.50 by 12/31/99 is based on "commercial scale results waking the market up to this company's enormous potential." Taylor expects a $10 to $15 stock price within the decade. |
