Valcent's Verti-Gro: Veggies & Bio-diesel, Eco-friendly

Valcent Products Inc. (OTCBB: VCTPF) introduces its revolutionary High Density Vertical Growth (HDVG) system, now producing vegetables within its greenhouse production plant in El Paso, Texas. The HDVG technology provides a solution to rapidly increasing food costs caused by transportation/fuel costs spiraling upwards with the cost of oil. Together with higher cost comes a reduction in availability and nutritional values in the food we consume.

Developed over several years by Valcent's research and development partner, Pagic Inc., the system is designed to grow vegetables and other foods much more efficiently and with greater food value than in agricultural field conditions. The HDVG system demonstrates the following characteristics:

• Produces approximately 20 times the normal production volume for field crops
• Requires 5% of the normal water requirements for field crops
• Can be built on non arable lands and close to major city markets
• Can work in a variety of environments: urban, suburban, countryside, desert etc.
• Does not use herbicides or pesticides
• Will have very significant operating and capital cost savings over field agriculture
• Will drastically reduce transportation costs to market resulting in further savings, higher quality and fresher foods on delivery, and less transportation pollution
• Will be easily scalable from small to very large food production situations

How It Works

The HDVG system grows plants in closely spaced pockets on clear, vertical panels that are moving on an overhead conveyor system. The system is designed to provide maximum sunlight and precisely correct nutrients to each plant. Ultraviolet light and filter systems exclude the need for herbicides and pesticides. Sophisticated control systems gain optimum growth performance through the correct misting of nutrients, the accurate balancing of PH and the delivery of the correct amount of heat, light and water.

The Holy Grail in the renewable energy sector has been to create a clean, green process which uses only light, water and air to create fuel.

Valcent's HDVB algae-to-biofuel technology mass produces algae, vegetable oil which is suitable for refining into a cost-effective, non-polluting biodiesel.

The algae derived fuel will be an energy efficient replacement for fossil fuels and can be used in any diesel powered vehicle or machinery. In addition, 90% by weight of the algae is captured carbon dioxide, which is "sequestered" by this process and so contributes significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Valcent has commissioned the world's first commercial-scale bio-reactor pilot project at its test facility in El Paso, Texas.

As a comparative, food crop such as soy bean will typically produce some 48 gallons oil per acre per year and palm will produce approximately 630 gallons oil per acre per year. In addition, the Vertigro Bio Reactor System is a closed loop continuous production system that uses little water and may be built on non arable lands."

Valcent Products E.U. Ltd., is currently in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with the Paignton Zoological and Botanical Gardens in the U.K. for the rollout of Europe's first VertiCrop(tm) (high density vertical growing) implementation.

The unit will be located at the zoo providing a variety of vegetables to address the specific dietary needs of many of the resident species. The VertiCrop(tm) facility will also serve as an added visitor attraction.

Paignton attracts over half a million visitors annually. Installation of the system is expected to be completed by May of 2009 and will be a feature of the 9th International Conference on Environmental Enrichment (ICEE9) - attended by zoo specialists from around the globe.