Producing disposable diapers in Bolivia Since the last disposable diaper manufacturing facility was closed in 2003, Bolivia imports disposable diapers. In the past five years the Bolivian diaper market has shown high growth rates, creating the business opportunity to re-establish a Bolivian disposable diaper manufacturing company. The Italian company Justiniano Wilma provides technical assistance to companies that manufacture absorbent hygiene products and will form a joint venture company with the two Bolivian companies Empresa de Envases, Papeles y Cartones S.A. and Correas Center to produce disposable diapers in Bolivia.The production facility will be set up in Santa Cruz and will be certified according to the OHSAS 18001 standard. The new company will produce diapers under its own brand and will allow supermarket chains to develop their own Bolivian brands. It will also produce biodegradable diapers. The partners have taken utmost care to select their suppliers according to the most recent requirements of chain responsibility.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The company will offer very good employment standards. Living wages will be paid to all employees. For the basic and medium levels, inflation will be corrected annually. Employees will enjoy life and health insurance, pension payments, end-year gifts and other benefits as according to Bolivian Labour Law. The company will offer equal employment opportunities and discrimination will not be tolerated. The joint venture will acquire the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 certification. The company takes its chain responsibility seriously and implements environmental management in its company.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe joint venture will pay living wages to all of its personnel. All employees will be hired on a full-time basis and contracts will be indefinite after the probation period of 3 months. All staff will receive continuous training. In order to ensure good and safe working conditions, the joint venture will be OHSAS 18001 implemented and certified. In addition to the Bolivian labour regulations as social contributions, 13th month, paid holidays, health insurance, life insurance, pension payments, etc, the joint venture will also pay a 14th month in case the joint venture creates a net profit. Childcare will be arranged and additional compensation for employees with children is provided. Employees will also be trained in health, hygiene and HIV related issues.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeCurrently, no diapers are produced in Bolivia, so production method is new. The company has spent a lot of dedication to its chain responsibility, introducing new techniques for logistics. In terms of organisation, it will introduce the OHSAS 18001 certificate.•	Chain effectsImpact on local suppliersThe joint venture will buy nearly all inputs from foreign suppliers. However, the plastic packaging material and the advertisement campaign will be supplied by local companies.Impact on local customers or consumersTheir clients and the consumers will benefit with good quality but lower priced diapers. Their clients will benefit as well with the possibility to develop their own private label line of diapers.•	Impact on the sectorThe project will actively cooperate with the University and offer internships to students. Furthermore, it will introduce the OHSAS certification standard, providing an example to others.•	EnvironmentThe disposable diapers will substitute the current import and as such not cause additional waste. In future Empacar wants to introduce a complete recycling system in Santa Cruz. The joint venture will introduce biodegradable diapers to create awareness. Furthermore, it will recycle its own waste at the plant.•	Position of womenEight out of 19 medium- and high-level staff will be women. In total 21 out of 58 staff will be women. Using disposable diapers in households, mostly women have to spend less time on washing cotton diapers. The establishment of a disposable diapers manufacturing company, including biodegradable ones.