This business idea revolves around establishing a plant for manufacturing rubber adhesive (rubber cement), a versatile adhesive made from elastic polymers mixed with solvents like acetone and hexane. Rubber cement falls under the category of drying adhesives, where the solvents evaporate quickly, leaving behind a strong and flexible bond. A small percentage of alcohol is often added to the mix. The estimated capital investment cost for starting this project is $13,610, with a predicted annual revenue of $673,920, a net profit margin of 23%, and a payback period of 2 months.

Production Process

The process of making rubber cement is relatively simple. The rubber is broken down into smaller pieces and then mixed with a hexane or heptane-based solvent. The liquid mixture is filled into containers of various sizes, with most of the equipment being automated.

Raw Materials

Rubber cement is an opaque liquid that contains pulverized natural or synthetic rubber and a solvent based on hexane or heptanes. Different grades of rubber cement may contain 70-90% hexane or heptane and 1-15% isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The rubber is typically received in the form of large blocks or slabs weighing around 100 pounds (45 kilograms).

Sources of Supply of Raw Materials

Raw materials for rubber cement production can be imported from Liberia and other West African countries.

Conclusion

Investing in the manufacturing of rubber adhesives in Kenya offers a promising opportunity to produce a versatile and widely used adhesive product. Rubber cement is known for its strong yet flexible bonding properties, making it suitable for various applications. By leveraging a simple production process and sourcing raw materials from neighboring countries, entrepreneurs can tap into the adhesive market in Kenya and cater to the needs of industries, businesses, and individuals.