VUT SUPPORTS ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS IN EARLY-STAGE TECHNOLOGY-BASED DETERGENT MANUFACTURING
By: Selina Rapulane- 06 April 2023
On the 31 March, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s Institute of Chemical and Biotechnology (ICBT) in partnership with the South African Chemical Technology Incubator (CHEMIN)’s Sedibeng Branch held a Detergent Manufacturing Training Session for aspiring entrepreneurs and owners of small business in the Chemical, Cosmetics and Bio-life Science sector.
The training was held at VUT’s Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park in Sebokeng, thus making it easy for local entrepreneurs to attend.
ICBT is a unit within the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences at VUT, which puts its resources, facilities and infrastructure towards research, analytical services, incubation and nurturing of Chemical and Biochemical-related business units – both from within as well as outside of the University. Its partnership with CHEMIN prioritises incubation to foster economic growth, offering supporting mechanisms in facilitating the provision of the environment, resources and learning opportunities required by many new and growing small businesses to be able to thrive and succeed.
The training started with an introduction to health and safety in a chemical processing area, followed by the presentation of handling of hazardous chemicals, as well as product quality and later on, a practical in product manufacturing of cleaning detergents.
During the practical of the training, participating entrepreneurs were provided with formulations, safety information and steps on how to manufacture dishwashing liquid-soap. Additionally, they gained external support to accelerate their business growth and an experience of a network of relationships with each other.
“Small businesses play a vital role in the well-being of communities. We normally host these trainings for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start a small business of manufacturing, or entrepreneurs currently manufacturing household cleaning detergents, cosmetics, and indigenous knowledge-based product to create a pipeline of innovation and creativity into their own business as well as contribute toward ongoing economic growth and sustainable development for themselves and society”, commented Ms Neo Ndlovu: Project Assistant.
Prof Fanyana Mtunzi: Acting HOD at ICBT, sharing the same sentiments, added that, “Skills transfer is an invaluable aspect that empowers small businesses and, ultimately, benefit the economy as a whole. By supporting and nurturing small businesses, they have the opportunity to demonstrate their potential and grow with larger role players in their sectors. We are always eager to engage with all promising entrepreneurs so that we can help them take their enterprises to the next level and become suppliers to normally inaccessible corporates”.
After the training, entrepreneurs were each given twenty litres of the liquid soap to supply their friends, family, and community with this much-needed product, whilst generating a sizeable income.
CHEMIN is a not-for-profit business incubator, under the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)’s incubation program, that is dedicated to supporting the growth of very early-stage technology-based businesses in the South African Chemical sector. It provides clients with an exceptional entrepreneurial business environment that promotes collaboration, innovation and encourages ingenuity as well the creation of wealth.