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Kenyan engineers recycling plastics for bricks

Yvonne Okwara-Matole

September 28, 2020 |

Citizen TV Kenya |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Kenya

Gjenge Makers Ltd is an alternative building product manufacturing company that creates products – such as pavers and blocks – out of recycled plastics. Founded by four Kenyan engineers, the team began by studying the manufacturing process and researching what products would do well on the market. They then built all of the machinery themselves, which break down the plastics, and then mix them with other building material products to ultimately create customizable plastic bricks that can withstand larger weight and are less expensive than concrete. They are popular in rural and lower-income areas.

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'We're still trying to keep going': Companies change business model to keep staff employed during coronavirus

Ellen Coulter

April 10, 2020 |

ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Australia, Tasmania

To replace lost business and keep their employees on staff, Tasmanian businesses quickly diversified into new product lines to meet COVID-19-related demand. A camera accessories firm that saw nearly all of its sales to the film and TV industries dry up became a manufacturer of face shields. A plastic manufacturer increased its business by turning out acrylic counter-top protective screens. And a whiskey distillery began producing 2,000 liters of hand sanitizer per week.

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Knox County ahead of the curve on manufacturing-healthcare alliance to fight COVID-19

Cheryl Splain

April 08, 2020 |

Knox Pages |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Early and rapid collaboration to create new supply chains improves emergency response times. In Knox County, Ohio, manufacturers began working with the Knox Community Hospital to mobilize 3-D printers and offer a short-term solution to the availability of masks, gloves, and other protective equipment. If the surge in demand for devices continues, companies may also scale up injection mold production.

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From Julia Louis-Dreyfus' house to N95-like masks: Architects join the COVID-19 fight

Deborah Vankin

April 07, 2020 |

Los Angeles Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

By running a network of 3-D printers, universities like USC and UCLA Extension, as well as volunteer firms and nonprofits mobilize their resources to create backup masks. The masks are more effective than basic disposable surgical masks, and serve as reserves for hospitals in the region. The network operates with the assistance of the Los Angeles Mayor’s office.

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Are We Firing Too Many People In The U.S.?

Greg Rosalsky

April 07, 2020 |

NPR |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

“Kurzarbeit” is a German governmental program that helps preserve jobs in an economic crisis. A company can reduce the hours of workers and the government will help pay them, which preserves the important specialized training invested in manufacturing jobs, helps workers get some pay, and reduces the reliance upon unemployment benefits that are comparable to those in the U.S. It worked in the 2008 recession, and it is working in the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

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Statewide makerspace network collaborates on COVID-19 mask projects

Meghan Pierce

April 01, 2020 |

Manchester Ink Link |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

Makerspaces, collaborative community-operated workspaces, across New Hampshire have started using 3D printers to make masks for healthcare workers. Using mostly donated supplies, members printed and assembled protective face shields for health-care workers, sending 150 to a hospital in Manchester and planning on making 1,000 a week. The main limitation is that 3D printer is slow, but volunteers throughout the state with 3D printers have offered to help.

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Makers are rushing to fight coronavirus with 3D printed face shields and test swabs

Kristin Toussaint

March 27, 2020 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Across the country, 3D manufacturers sprang into action in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to create a medical supply chain to fill gaps in hospitals' access to needed products like face shields and nasal swabs. Through networking and crowdsourcing, small manufacturers with 3D printers linked with shipping and product assembly teams that formed to meet the emergency need. The focus was on products that did not need elaborate testing to be proven safe and effective.

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Renaissance Mill

Britany Robinson

March 23, 2020 |

Oregon Business Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, West Linn, Oregon

After a paper mill in Oregon closed abruptly, a venture capitalist swooped in, bought the place, and reopened it as the first paper mill in the United States to produce paper using wheat pulp. Through a partnership between a pulp plant in Washington state, the Willamette Falls Paper Company is using the leftover material from wheat farmers to turn it into a product that reduces agricultural waste, carbon emissions, and the need to cut down trees.

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How schools and employers in northeast Ohio are tackling the manufacturing workforce shortage

Katie Ellington

December 23, 2019 |

Richland Source |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chagrin Falls, Ohio

In Northeast Ohio, manufacturing companies are partnering with local schools to address a workforce shortage by appealing to future workers at a younger age. By participating in a Certified Production Technician program, high school students in the 9th and 10th grade are able to learn technical skills, obtain a certificate, and learn more about career tracks in the manufacturing sector.

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Kenyan scientist builds with bottles to beat plastic pollution

Nita Bhalla

December 13, 2019 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Gilgil

Repurposing plastic waste into construction materials reduces pollution and lessens the carbon footprint of construction. Eco Blocks and Tiles, an environmentally-savvy company based in Gigil, Kenya, manufactures roof tiles from discarded plastic and glass. The value-added product is more durable and lighter than clay. The company has received support through crowd funding and grants, and has also attracted the attention of Kenya’s National Construction Authority (NCA).

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