Processing smallholder palm oil into toilet soap in Freetown, Sierra Leone The applicant in this project is the in Ivory Coast registered company Adam Afrique SARL. Adam Afrique is a company which is producing laundry soap for the internal market and the export market. The local partner is Washex Industries Ltd. This company is also involved in the production of laundry soap but for the internal market.The companies will establish a joint venture which will be located in Freetown.The aim of this project is to set up a factory for the local production of toilet soap. At the moment toilet soap is not produced in the country but is imported from abroad.This project will introduce new technology and expertise into the country. The production of toilet soap is more complicated and technical advanced then the production of laundry soap. Furthermore, this project will have a positive impact on the rural community. The main ingredient for toilet soap (but also laundry soap) is palm oil, which is locally produced by small farmers. Increased soap production will thus lead to improved sales of palm oil for the farmers.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will integrate CSR in its operations in the following ways:1. Quality certification: the soap factory will acquire GMP certification for quality management. All employees will receive training in this field.2. Health and safety on the work floor: Standard Operating Procedures will be developed and introduced aiming to ensure health and safety for all employees. Employees will be trained on the job in these fields.3. Social standards: the joint venture will provide decent salaries to its personnel, far above the official minimum wages in Sierra Leone, including health insurance.4. Environmental standards: the joint venture will adhere to international standards for soap manufacturing.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsIn total, 33 people will be employed by the joint venture within the project period. 5 of those jobs can be considered as high-level jobs, 6 are medium-level jobs and 22 can be considered as basic-level jobs.These employees will all be newly recruited persons, as the current employees will continue to be involved in the manufacturing of laundry soap for Washex Industries.Within two years after project completion, an additional number of 24 people will be employed by the joint venture.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThis project will introduce new soap producing technology in the country.•	Chain effectsThis project will have the following chain effects:- The project will have a positive impact on the oil palm famers and traders, because the demand for palm oil for the soap production will rise (at least for a few).- The joint venture will contract logistical companies to take care of the distribution of the toilet soap, both locally and regionally (mainly in Liberia and Guinea).- Customers buying toilet soap will be beneficiaries of the project as they will get access to more affordable toilet soap.•	EnvironmentOils and perfume are insoluble in water and if spilled can create problems. Perfumes are bought in lined steel drums that are adequately robust, and flammable perfumes are not used in the manufacturing of soaps.All the storage tanks are surrounded by bunds to catch the contents of the tank, in case it ruptures or a valve fails.Inside the plant, all the process and operational areas are also bonded, and the waste is piped to an interception tank before draining to the council's waste system. The contents of the interception tank are consistently monitored for alkalinity or acidity. If in the case, a spill is observed in the plant itself, a part of the interception tank can be isolated and the consequences of the spill neutralised before the waste will be drained.•	Position of womenThe joint venture will provide equal job opportunities to men and women. The production of affordable toilet soap from palm oil locally produced by smallholders.