Zambia's first manufacturers of high quality woven polypropylene bags Zambia has a substantial cement industry. Cement used to be packed in paper bags but this has almost completely been replaced by woven polypropylene bags. Polypropylene bags are stronger than paper bags which results in low breakage rates. In Zambia, 95% of all cement bags used are AD PROTEX bags.Applicant AU-STAR CC from South Africa used to be a distributor of plastics machinery and a consulting expert in the field. They used to sell machinery that is used to manufacture the AD PROTEX bags. Just recently, AU-STAR CC started to invest in its own plastics manufactories and now owns 4 factories in South Africa.Local partner Specialised Systems Ltd is a sales company and service provider in a wide range of sectors varying from sales and installation of ICT related products and supplying and servicing the healthcare sector, to delivery and installation of ATM's and sales of Philips Lighting systems. Specialized Systems is part of the Kenian based AJ Group who has subsidiaries in several eastern and southern African countries.Together, these partners want to establish Zambia's first local production factory for AD PROTEX bags. Initially, mainly the cement industry will be serviced, but in time the partners intend to supply the sugar, maize, tea, fertiliser and wheat industry as well.The partners will start a joint venture.The project will be located in Lusaka.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)For Quality Assurance the partners will implement ISO 9001 and will take appropriate measures regarding public health, solid waste, liquid waste, sewage, water usage and energy saving.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project will provide jobs to 30 people: 5 in the office (all high skilled), 20 in operations (of which 9 medium / high skilled and 11 basic skilled) and 5 other (basic skilled).Since the extrusion and weaving process is very labour intensive, the project will employ a total of 170 employees (150 basic, 20 medium / high) two years after finalisation of the project (80 additional people for the weaving and extrusion line, and 60 additional people for the double capacity AD CONVERTEX line and the additional production shifts).Wages will be compliant with other businesses and additionally the company will provide healthcare programmes and personal care for its employees.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeThe knowledge of producing these kind of bags is new to Zambia and as such will enhance the level of technical professionalism in Zambia.•	Chain effectsThis project will mainly affect the clients who now have to import their bags or use inferior material because of the high import costs. The product will easier available (just in time) which saves on stocking costs. Furthermore, the company's clients will no longer bear the risks of fluctuating currency exchange rates.•	EnvironmentThe (little) waste generated by this factory, will be sold to local recycling companies. The bags are known to be reused time and time again. Because of their durability, the bags are used for storing food items, or to make seed containers in plant nurseries etc.As part of its quality assurance system, the partners take appropriate measures regarding public health, solid waste, liquid waste, sewage, water usage and energy saving.•	Position of womenApproximately 40% of all staff will be female. To establish a plastics factory for the production of 12 million AD PROTEX bags annually for the local and regional cement industry.