Product Description: These are household items made from thermoplastic materials by injection moulding process. These products brought from Addis Ababa or form around are now common in urban households in the Amhara Region. Compared to metal or ceramic made plates and dishes, plastic plates and dishes are inexpensive. They are also light and more convenient to use. In rural areas, plates and dishes are made form wood, grass and clay.
Market Potential: Almost all plastic based products (including plates, dishes and lunch boxes) used in the Region are either imported or brought from Addis Ababa. Even if we consider the urban population as the main consumer of plastic plates, dishes and boxes, this by itself can create a huge demand for the products. Lunch boxes have segmented markets. They are used mostly by school children, office employees and workers on construction sites. Currently, it is reported that there are more than two million school children in the Region. If 20 percent of these children use lunch boxes, potential demand will be 400,000. if about 30 percent of the urban families buy at least two plates and two dishes, demand will reach be about 240,000 units for each type of product. This indicates that there is a market for plastic plates, dishes and lunch boxes in the Region which can absorb the production of a number of plants.
Source of Raw Materials: The main inputs are thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyamides, acrylic, polystyrene, etc. These inputs will be imported.
Process and Technology: Raw material is charged to a hopper and then to a heating cylinder where it melts. A heating cylinder where it melts. After melting, it is injected to the moulds. After curing time, ram returns to its original position, moulds are opened and product is cooled. Final touching is given to the product.
Machinery required include injection moulding machine, semi-automatic hydraulic injection moulding machine with temperature controlling devices, vertical moulding machine, scrap grinder, reprocessing extruder, tumbling barrel, cooking tank, potable drilling machine, pre drying oven, moulds, air compressor, fitters bench, weighing scale and other accessories.
Estimated Investment: For a plant which can produce about 90 tons of plastic dishes, plates and lunch boxes, the investment will be:
Building /shade 300m2 at Birr 2000/m2 = 600,000
Machinery = 300,000
Working capital = 200,000
1,100,000
Benefits: Saves foreign exchange and regional financial resources, promotes self sufficiency, crates convenience to consumer.
Location: Combolcha, Bahir Dar, Debre Birhan