Product Description:
Liquid detergent is a chemical compound produced from synthetic substances and used for washing and conveyor lubrication. The concentration of the solution could vary according to consumers demand or preference. For washing, the volume of concentration may be up to 60 percent and it could be as low as 30 percent for conveyor lubrication. Liquid detergents are delivered in plastic bottles and plastic jerry cans. Standard sizes are one liters and two liters for bottles and 25 and 35 liters for jerry cans.
Market Potential:
The main users of liquid detergents are households, hospitals, hotels and restaurants, boarding schools, offices and factories. There is no local production of liquid detergents in the country. Some types of powder detergents are being produced by one or two plants located in and around Addis Ababa. It is believed that consumers prefer liquid detergents to powder detergents because of more convenience to use and effectiveness to remove dirt.
Demand for liquid detergents has been met largely by imports. Between 1984 and 1994, average annual import of the product was about 384 tons and projected demand for liquid detergents was about 593 tons in 2000, and this is estimated to reach 729 tons by 2007. The Amhara Region imports all its cleaning materials requirements (toilet soap, laundry soap, powder and liquid detergents) either from other parts of the country or from foreign sources. The demand share for liquid detergents of the Amhara region might not justify the establishment of a liquid detergent making factory in the region. However, a plant located in the region could supply its products to other parts of the country after meeting the demand of Amhara Region. With this understanding a viable liquid detergent making plant could be established in the region.
Sources of Raw materials:
The main raw materials for making liquid detergent are alkyl benzene, sulfuric acid and caustic soda. Alkyl benzene will be imported while the others will be obtained from local sources.
Process and Technology:
Caustic soda from the caustic soda tank, and alkyl benzene sulfuric acid from the ABSA tank are mixed in a mixing vessel in a ratio of 1 to 6 respectively. Then the mixture is diluted with water to a standard concentration either in the mixing vessel or in a booster vessel. The solution in then pumped and filled to plastic containers for distribution. The main plant and machinery required include caustic soda tank, ABSA tank, mixing vessel, booster vessel and packaging machine.
Estimated Investment:
For a plant that will produce about 600 tons of liquid detergents working 300 days in a year and operating one shift per day the estimated investment will be :-
Building/Shade 500m2 at Br 1500/m2 = Birr 750,000
Machinery................................... = Birr 9,000,000
Working capital ............................ = Birr 550,000
Total = Birr 10,300,000
Benefits: Similar to other projects.
Location: Combolcha, Debre Birhan.