CURRENT PROJECTS (DONOR FUNDED)
Commercialization of Fish Leather Technologies
The commercialization of fish leather technologies project represents efforts by KIRDI to add value to fish skins, generating fish leather, whose value earnings benefit all stakeholders within a pre-defined fish leather value chain.
Based on the high value of fish leather, the project sources raw skins from Industrial Fish Processors (IFPs)through the Artisanal Fish Processors (peasant community groups dealing in fish processing by-products from the IFPs); processes the skins into leather (through KIRDI Kisumu as leather processing SMEs are being established); undertakes further processing at KIRDI’s Leather Development Centre (LDC), for onward forwarding into the market through the Training and Processing Centre for the Shoe Industry (TPCSI), a KIRDI Subsidiary. Technology transfer and incubation, in leather processing and the establishing of SMEs in this case signifies an application of one the institution’s key competencies.
The Pokot Honey Processing Plant
In line with KIRDI’s mandate, the institution developed a 200ltr/day honey processing mini factory. The technology would be transferred to the Asali Kitalakapel Self Help group in Pokot District. The group is an umbrella body of bee keepers, honey processors and sellers in the district. As at the time of initiating the project (Jan 2009), the group produced 5tons of honey per month but received low returns due to low market prices and poor storage and processing facilities. KIRDI’s intervention not only intended to improve processing but create market linkages as well.
The project attracted funding under the Technology Transfer, Innovation and Commercialization Program, DANIDA Business Sector Programme Support within the Ministry of Industrialization.
The KINDA Project
KINDA is a membership forum consisting of professionals, business people and leaders from Nyanza Province, who have come together with the aim of creating positive economic and social change in Nyanza. The forum was formed in 2007 and Kinda Company Limited registered in 2008 as the vehicle to drive the economic objectives of the forum.
As part of its commercialization of leather technologies program KIRDI collaborated with KINDA to put-up a medium sized tannery in Kisumu. The tannery was largely to benefit from the mini tanneries concept that KIRDI is currently advocating. KIRDI entered into an MOU wherein its role would remain largely facilitative, handling mainly the technical aspects such as; feasibility studies, tannery equipment sourcing and installation, training of tannery personnel and quality control and advisory.
.The Arch Welding Project
The arch welding machines project seeks to design fabricate and assemble 30 standardized efficient less energy consuming arch welding machines, for use by local SMEs, while building the local production capacity, through the establishment of a local manufacturing center in Western Kenya. The project is funded by DANIDA under the BSPS programme and incorporates an intervention in that; welding is the most predominant activity in the fabrication sector, with over 80% of the machines being locally assembled. These are preferred because of affordability and ease of adoptability. The project steps in to address issues related to the quality, efficiency, reliability, aesthetics, safety and affordability of the locally assembled machines.
CURRRENT PROJECTS (G.O.K FUNDED)
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The project emphasis for this programme was placed on food security through adaptation, adoption and transfer of appropriate post-harvest technologies to MSE's that promote food security, especially the promotion of processing and utilisation of traditional food crops
Project Title - Development and Transfer of Root and Tuber Crops processing Technologies in Western Kenya.
The aim of this project is to enhance national and household food security, contribute to employment creation and to poverty reduction through acquisition / adoption, transfer and promotion of appropriate processing technologies for root and tuber crops.
Project Title - Commercial utilization of KIRDI Food Pilot Plant
The aim of this project is to contribute to the sustainable livelihoods of the Kenyan people through appropriate food processing technologies.
TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME
KIRDI has within this programme three projects aimed at having a measurable impact on poverty eradication.
Project Title: Development of Coconut oil products and appropriate processing technologies (processing press)
The aim of this project is to contribute to poverty reduction and employment creation through acquisition, transfer and promotion of appropriate coconut processing technologies.
Project Title: Development of Honey and Hive products processing Technologies
The aim of this project is to contribute to wealth and job creation through the development of apiculture in Kenya.
Project Title: KIRDI Energy Audit of Centres (LDC and EDSC)
This project is aimed at making the institute more efficient in its use of electrical energy, first at the commercial centers, then the Institutes other units and finally to offer consultancy services to industry.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMME
The current projects at KIRDI under this programme are:-
Development of Textile Pigments From Tea Tannins
The project aims to develop textile dyes from tea leaves. This will create demand for tea waste there by giving the tea farmers better returns for their crops given the falling international commodity prices. The project has successfully produced and demonstrated the dyes on wool.
Project Title - Utilization of Tannery Wastes; Manufacture of Leather boards
The aim of this project is to develop a methodology for the manufacture of leather boards from tannery chrome shavings as a means towards environmental conservation.
Project Title - Utilization of Iron Based Waste Scrap Metal for the Production of Red Oxide Pigments.
The aim of this project is to develop a sustainable process for recycling of scrap metal from EDSC and other SMEs for production of red oxide pigment, thereby reducing over-reliance on the importation of the pigment and raw materials for its local production.
Project Title – Utilization of Waste from Kisii Soapstone for Production of Refractory Bricks
The aim of this project is to develop low and medium temperature refractories from the soapstone wastes by blending with fine clay for use in lining ceramic kilns.
Project Title - Establishment of KIRDI based Industrial Technological Information Network
Information and the knowledge base it supports is now the key to effective research. This project therefore aims to improve the quality of research at the Institute through links within the Institute and other stakeholders both in research and consumers of research outputs.
OTHERS
Other project(s) of National importance to be undertaken during the financial year is;
Project Title - Establishment of the National Capacity in QA/QC in Kenya.
The aim of the project is to contribute in the improvement of Industrial competitiveness in Kenya through the Implementation of Laboratory accreditation schemes.
Projects grouped based on divisions.
Proposed Projects
Food & Technology
Engineering Division
Enviroment Division
Leather & Textile Division
Ceramics & Building Materials Division
Project Studies Division
Energy Division
ICT Division
KWRC Division
Chemical Engineering Division