Product Description: These are “hard” plastic products used to connect plastic pipes in the sewerage system of buildings. Some of these products are called eflows, tees, etc. With plastic pipes, the fittings are used for fixing kitchen sinks, washing tubs, toilet fixtures and other plumbing facilities.
Market Potential: For many years, metal pipes and fittings were used for indoor plumbing and cemental pipes and fittings for outdoor sewerage systems. During the last 30-40 years, metal pipes and fittings have been gradually replaced by plastic pipes and fittings for sewerage installations. During the last 15 years, the use of plastic pipes and fittings for sewerage has expanded in our country. Even domestic production of the pipes has started in Addis Ababa. Recently use of large plastic pipes and fittings for transporting water has also started in the country.
The future demand is projected to rise at an average 7% annual rate. The following table shows the projected future demand for plastic sanitary fitting in ANRS.
Table 1: Projected Demand
Currently all plastic pipes and fittings are either imported form abroad or are fitting produced in Addis Ababa. The demand of these products by the Amhara Region is meet by supplies from Addis Ababa or from abroad.
Similar to other parts of the country, construction of buildings for different purposes is expanding in the Region. Modern water supply systems are being constructed and installed in many urban communities. In some rural areas, small scale irrigation schemes are being introduced. All these activities require the use of plastic pipes and fittings. To meet the growing demand for plastic pipes, a project idea for producing these products has been suggested earlier. Since the pipes need fittings this project idea is for the production of plastic sanitary fittings. The Amhara Region will have sufficient demand for these fitting to enable a plant to operate with financial viability.
Source of Raw Material: The main raw material for producing plastic sanitary fittings is plastic resin; and this raw material will be:
Process and Technology: The principal process is extrusion. The plastic resin which could be obtained in granular form will be melted and the molten resin will pass the extrusion process. In the extrusion stages different types of fittings (elbows, tees…) will be formed. After the fittings are formed they will be cooled, Finally, the fittings will be given some smoothing operations; and the products are ready for dispatch machinery need include heating apparatus, extrusion machines, dies and some grinding and smoothing tools.
Estimated Investment: For Plant that will produce about 20 tons of plastic sanitary fittings per year, the estimated investment will be:
§ Building/shade:- 300 m2 at Br. 2000m2= 600,000
§ Plant and Machinery 500,000
§ W. Capital 300,000
1,400,000
Benefits: Saves foreign exchange and regional financial resources, facilitates the development of the building industry
location: Bahir Dar, Combolcha