Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Revolutionizing construction, our Lego-like plastic recycled bricks requires little or no cement when building, fostering sustainability and affordability. Best of all, the bricks can be easily deconstructed and rebuilt in another location/orientation.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Emmtech specializes in sustainable construction solutions by transforming waste plastics into sustainable building materials such as pavers and bricks. Our process begins with the meticulous collection of plastic waste from the environment. Subsequently, the collected materials undergo a thorough sorting process before being skilfully moulded into innovative and eco-friendly affordable construction materials. What sets us apart isn't just the positive environmental impact only, but our commitment to social responsibility. This unique blend of environmental stewardship and community empowerment positions Emmtech as a pioneer in sustainable business practices, fostering positive change on multiple fronts. . these bricks empower everyone, regardless of expertise, to construct and reconstruct structures effortlessly. The products are very affordable, accessible, durable 100 years+, heat resistant, non-water absorber, high compression strength, saves trees and water and cost effective.

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

Emmtech plays a crucial role by recycling waste plastics into affordable and high-quality sustainable building materials to reduce plastic pollution and deforestation. Malawi faces a dual crisis of deforestation and plastic pollution, impacting our environment and communities. Deforestation leads to loss of 33,000 hectares of trees per year, and is mainly attributed to burning bricks. Evidence suggests that the future environmental, social and economic costs associated with single-use plastics are likely to be much higher than the costs of preventing the production and use of single-use plastics today. To prevent these damages Recycling can be the solution to this problem.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

we present an innovative solution by transforming all types of plastic waste into affordable and eco-friendly building materials. Our bricks and pavers have high competitive benefits, there 100% recycable, heat/fire resistance, double compresion strength(12-14Mpa), very durable(up to 100+ years), saves trees and water(making it more eco-friendly). non water arborsober(can withstand harsh weathers), reduces carbon emmision and Best of all, the bricks can be easily deconstructed and rebuilt in another location or orientation with little effort. these bricks empowers everyone, regardless of expertise, to construct and reconstruct structures effortlessly making building environmentally friendly and accessible to all.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our targeted customers are home owners, house development agencies, construction companies, sustainable builders, NGO’s, Government, hardware stores and building materials suppliers. The good thing with our business is that can be replicated and is scalable in all districts of Malawi even beyond boarders and with the global shift towards sustainable practices and increased awareness of environmental issues create a favorable market for recycled construction materials. The enterprise taps into this demand, ensuring sustained market relevance and demand for its products gives our business a robust platform for the business to expand and rapidly grow representing a good and fast return on investments.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-03-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Emmtech Enterprise is a sole proprietorship business have no other owners and its welcome to partners and investors.

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

https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088816354756

01.11 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 startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Too many are still struggling for the most basic needs. We believe through innovative recycling programs and social development we have the chance to help reduce poverty through provision of green jobs within our startup for people to be able to make a living either selling plastic waste to us, working at the production plant and management positions. No change is lasting change unless it involves the community. Through training and social entrepreneurship, we aim to make a lasting and positive impact to the communities we serve.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Through our plastic bricks manufacturing were creating jobs and promoting economic growth, especially to underprivileged. This economic upliftment can increase incomes, allowing more families to afford nutritious food. also supports sustainable agriculture. Recycling plastic reduces environmental pollution, which benefits agricultural productivity. Less plastic waste in soil and water systems can lead to healthier crops and livestock, thus improving food security. and we aim to diversify to compost manure production to ensure affordable agriculture inputs and promote food systems in Malawi.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

My startup helps to reduces environmental pollution through its recycling plastic waste into bricks, which can have positive health outcomes by improving air and water quality. This contributes to healthier living conditions and reduces the prevalence of lung and water borne diseases associated with plastic pollution.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

Our enterprise is also focused on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all through educational training on the importance of recycling and benefits of using recycled materials. And we aim to dirvesify our products into roofing tiles, floor tiles and furnitures which can be used to build climate resilience school blocks ensuring continued eductaion during extreme weathers and access to quality education to all at all times.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

The enterprise is gender inclusive model for it employ and empower woman to recycle plastic promoting woman entrepreneurship, train them in construction. and 60% of our workers are woman to promote gender equality and empower them economically.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

The enterprice is reducing plastic pollution, its recycling initiatives helps to maintain cleaner water sources and support efforts to provide safe and affordable drinking water. The bricks can be used to build WASH facilities which is essential for ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Our startup is designed through its recycling programs to create 100+ green descent jobs in waste collection, sorting, and manufacturing to drive and stimulate local economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Through our ecycling plastic waste into sutainable construction materials fosters innovation by developing new technologies and methodologies for sustainable building. It promotes resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization by reducing reliance on traditional construction materials and integrating eco-friendly alternatives.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Using our recycled plastic bricks in construction industry we will contribute to building sustainable cities and communities. we shall reduce the environmental footprint of urban development, promote the use of sustainable building materials, and enhances the resilience of buildings and infrastructure to environmental stressors, such as climate change and natural disasters.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Through our recycling plastic initiative for construction promotes responsible consumption and production by creating a circular and blue economy where plastic waste is transformed into valuable resources such as bricks, pavers, tiles and furnitures. This approach minimizes waste, reduces the demand for virgin materials, and encourages sustainable production practices across the construction industry. Many of the materials we use on daily basis have the capacity to be recycled. However, they are often thrown out or worse burnt, polluting our air and water sources. This is often due to limited education and facilities - we aim to provide communities with access to recycling facilities and convert these materials into items that benefit their lives.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

There is no country in the world that is not experiencing the first hand effects of climate change. We aim to reduce the burning of trash by creating value out of the materials, whilst educating on the impact climate change is having on our planet. Our products made from recycled plastic waste helps to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production and disposal, cement industries and burning trees to produce bricks. It also decreases the environmental impact of construction activities by lowering the carbon footprint of building materials since our bricks needs no cement when building, thus contributing to climate resilience and sustainability.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

We diverte plastic waste from landfills and waterways, and recycle it into bricks for construction helps protect marine ecosystems and reduce marine pollution. This action directly supports efforts to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Recycling plastic waste to bricks our startup prevents land degradation and pollution, supporting the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems. It reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste on soil and biodiversity, promoting the sustainable management of land resources.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

My startup is helping fostering social stability, strengthening institutions through collaborations and transparency, and promoting environmental justice. These initiatives help build more inclusive, peaceful, and resilient communities, aligning with the broader goals of peace, justice, and strong institutions.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

To achieving our goals we will often require partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society. Recycling plastic for construction will foster collaboration across sectors, facilitating knowledge sharing, innovation, and the scaling up of sustainable practices.

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

4

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Plastic recycled bricks are a highly innovative and unique solution to both construction and environmental challenges. Their ability to transform plastic waste into useful building materials represents a significant step forward in sustainable development and circular economy practices. This unique blend of environmental stewardship and community empowerment positions Emmtech as a pioneer in sustainable business practices, fostering positive change on multiple fronts. This innovative approach makes building environmentally friendly and accessible to all.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main competitors are local burnt bricks producers(locall villagers), Cement products manufactures(Paver World, JOGS cement products, RK investments, Ecobuild and etc) and plastic recycling companies(Arkay plastics, Easypack, NT plastics, OG plastic, Quibix Robotics). To outstand them i will leverage enterprise's unique strengths such as product diversification and strong marketing strategy, investing in innovation, and maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and customer satisfaction.

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

i have set an enabling environment for woman and girls to freely participate and contribute to the project am currently doing of recycling plastic into sustainable construction materials for both administration and managemt positions and 60% are females we have trained to recycle annd trade plastic waste to promote female entrepreneurs.