Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Ofimcrete is concrete modified with Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage (Ofim) using mixing water replacement by mass. Ofimcrete is aimed at reducing GHG emissions by reducing cement content in Normal Strength conventional concrete.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Pricky pear, one of several species of cactus, Opuntia ficu-indica is a widely available plant in most parts of the world. Countries in Latin America have over time used Cactus as a medicinal supplement and an ornamental. Communities in the rural North-Eastern Part of Uganda, the Karamoja Sub-region have over time use mucilage from cactus, extracted using local methods in strengthening clay used in their mud and wattle structures. Cactus mucilage in their context also elongated maintenance cycles of such clay structures. Having seen this work for clay, I embarked on the such for the possibility to extend the use of cactus mucilage in normal strength cement concrete. I have conducted research and also published in the Construction and Building materials Journal the superior properties of Ofimcrere. My intention is to create avenue to promote cactus mucilage supply to construction sites by locals who then earn some money, while making the infrastructure industry green.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Climate change resulting from GHG emission from cement demand and eventual high production. For every 1Kg of cement produced, there is 0.9Kg of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere, reducing cement in concrete by 10% is an implied reduction in atmospheric CO2. Also, increased durability properties of cactus mucilage-modified concrete structures implies elongation in maintenance cycles, and demand for materials that would otherwise be used for regular maintenance is reduced. My research also finds out that Ofimcrete has 14% less heat conduction than conventional concrete, thus reduced heat transfer into buildings constructed with Ofimcrete and less energy demand for cooling and heating mechanisms. This grossly leads to to less environmental tax burden.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

- Increase in concrete Compressive Strength by 20%. - Reduction in cement content in concrete by 10%. - Reduced head transfer in concrete structures by 14%. - Reduced water absorption/permeability by up to 35% - Reduced Carbon Foot Print of the infrastructure industry. - Harvesters and suppliers of such mucilage could earn income and have their quality of life enhanced. - Residues from mucilage extraction process (solid part) can be converted into poultry feeds. - Reduced relative construction cost.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

- Construction Contractors - Local Construction Clients - Ready mix concrete producers - Potential local cactus harvesters and out growers and cactus mucilage suppliers

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-01-02

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

1. Prof. Dr. Bilal Hamad, who is a Professor of concrete at the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the American University of Beirut. He is an awardee of the American Concrete Institute Award for the best research in Concrete. He is an expert in concrete technology and advances in concrete. 2. Dr. Alissar Yehya, who is an Assistant Professor at the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the American University of Beirut, and a research associate at the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard, Cambridge, USA. She is a scholar and expert in Circular and Phase-change materials for Circular Economies. 3. Dr. Darine A. Salam, who is an Associate Professor at the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the American University of Beirut. She is a scholar and expert in Environmental Chemistry.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132132

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

- My idea is to train locals in our developed mucilage extraction methodology. By this, they earn income from the sale of cactus cladodes or extracted mucilage when ordered. This may lead to a fair income distribution and reduction in poverty. - Residues from mucilage extraction used as poultry feeds could reduce prices of feeds and locals would afford to keep poultry and so earn a living.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

- Reducing GHG emissions reduces effects on climate change which is a threat to the Agriculture industry and food production. My idea comes as relief and hope for the future of food production, facing annually reducing rains, in Uganda and the rest of the world.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

- Reducing poverty is implied improved access to medical services. - Reduction in the demand for cement by 10% reduces human ecotoxicity potential around cement producing areas.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

- A society where poverty levels are reduced can afford quality education for their dependants and thus increased access to quality educational services.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

- Women being the most active in the Ugandan Agricultural sector in which cactus falls, my idea will target women, who will eventually become harvesters and suppliers. One of the major causes of low quality of life of women in rural African communities is their high dependency on men as bread winners. When women begin to provide for their families, their value is upheld.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

- An economy in which populations poverty levels increases experiences a general growth in several aspects. When demand for good increases, because citizens have disposable incomes, the economy grows. - Relative short term and long term reduction in the construction cost would lead to a boost in the infrastructure industry, which is a major driver of economic growth.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

- This is a new innovation in the infrastructure industry, intended to aid the industry attain a reduced carbon foot print.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

- This project is intended to aid locals earn some incomes, this would reduce the income inequality in local communities and the country as the product potential expands.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

- Improvement of durability properties in concrete structures would make cities sustainable. A reduction in heat conduction on concrete structures would reduce energy demand that would otherwise be used in heating and cooling buildings.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

I have conducted a comprehensive comparative Environmental Life Cycle Assessment Ofimcere and conventional concrete and Ofimcrete has lower climate change potential with 10% lower CO2 equivalents over conventional concrete. Given the Billion metric tons of concrete produced annually world over, this is significant action in climate redemption.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

- Reduced marine Aquatic Eco-toxicity potential in Ofimcrete compared to conventional concrete.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

2

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

4

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Producers of chemical concrete admixtures. At the moment, chemical super plasticers are used by the industry to enhance concrete strength and reduce cement. There is no local competitor in this product as all such chemicals are imported. The context of application of the two is also rather different.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Not at the moment