Product Development

Product Development brings together technical sections that identify and develop local raw materials, support product formulation, provide analytical services and help entrepreneurs improve product quality.

The directorate supports UIRI's broader mandate by connecting applied research, laboratory analysis and practical product development with industrial value addition.

Ceramics specializes in identifying ceramic raw material sources, collecting samples, processing and characterizing raw materials, and formulating and testing bodies suitable for ceramic product production.

This work supports the development of usable materials and product options from locally available resources.

UIRI's Chemistry Laboratory is one of the country's well-equipped laboratories and provides testing facilities to food scientists, researchers, exporters, manufacturers, pharmacists and the general public.

The analytical laboratory capability supports product quality, compliance and product development decisions for industry and entrepreneurs.

UIRI's Handmade Paper section utilizes agricultural fibres and waste materials that would otherwise be underused or discarded.

Materials used include banana stems, pineapple crowns, cotton rags, sisal, bagasse, papyrus, wheat straw and waste paper.

UIRI's Microbiology Laboratory was established to assist in product development and the provision of microbiological analytical services.

The section helps ensure in-built quality in products and processes, demonstrates compliance with national and international quality requirements and standards, and provides analytical services to industry.

Agro Production undertakes applied research to develop value-added products and affordable technologies that local entrepreneurs can use to develop high-quality food products.