With enthusiasm and the spirit of overcoming difficulties, the Bio-clean Organic Dishwashing Liquid Project “Safe for children, peace of mind for mothers” by a group of students at Nong Lam University (Thai Nguyen University) won Second Prize in the competition. The 6th Creative Start-up Competition of Nong Lam University, 2022. After 2 years of implementation, by March 2024, the Project was officially accepted, moving to the stage of promoting product commercialization and Initially received positive feedback from customers.
| Bio-clean organic dishwashing liquid was displayed at the Fair organized by the City. Organized by Pho Yen. |
Concerned about the skin irritation of themselves and their families when using industrial cleaning chemicals, members of the Organic Dishwashing Liquid Project wish to introduce a benign hygiene product to the market. , contributing to protecting consumer health. Under the guidance and advice of MSc. Lecturer Nguyen Duc Tuan and Training Department staff Nguyen Thi Bich Hong, group of 4 students majoring in Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Institute of Biotechnology – Food Technology (Biotechnology – Food Technology), University Agroforestry students including: Dang Thi Yen, Ngo Thi Hanh, Dao Van Cong, Dao Quang Khai, built the idea of producing organic dishwashing liquid from natural ingredients.
Taking over the role of project leader in the production phase from January 2023, Nguyen Thi Mai, 2nd year student, Institute of Biotechnology – Food Technology, Nong Lam University, shared: The first times of testing, due to The mixing ratio of ingredients is not reasonable, so although it brings high cleaning efficiency, the product has an unpleasant sour smell. Undeterred, the project team continuously researches and optimizes the product’s ingredients, scent, foaming and cleaning abilities to suit consumer tastes. After many tests, the production formula combining enzymes with lemongrass and lemon essential oils was perfected, providing a pleasant natural scent as well as increasing the antibacterial effect of the product.
Thanks to research efforts, in 2023 the project group successfully produced the first batch of dishwashing liquid with a quantity of 1,000 bottles at a selling price of 50,000 VND/500ml bottle. When first launched, the product faced challenges in reaching potential customers. Most consumers are not familiar with organic detergents, so they do not easily trust the cleaning ability and safety of the product. Besides, although the selling price is about 30% lower than organic dishwashing liquid brands on the market, the product still has a higher selling price than most industrial dishwashing liquids today.
| Raw materials for producing Bio-clean organic dishwashing liquid. |
To overcome those limitations, the project team promoted e-commerce development and built a brand identity for the product. At the same time, actively participate in promotional and display activities at exhibitions and fairs connecting supply and demand, typically product introduction activities at the Fair on the occasion of the announcement ceremony of the decision to establish the City. Pho Yen. Currently, the product is being sold at the Product Introduction store of the Institute of Biotechnology – Food Technology, Nong Lam University and posted for sale on Facebook Fanpage, Shopee booth. In the coming time, the project team will continue to deploy online advertising campaigns to gradually affirm the value and position of the product in the market.
In order to ensure output for Bio-clean Organic Cup Drink, Project members proactively seek out units that specialize in distributing organic products. In particular, Thai Nguyen T&T Cooperative is the main purchasing unit with a rate of about 85% of the number of products. The main consumers are households and restaurants in the province. To date, more than 800 products have been sold and received positive reviews from customers. As a person with sensitive skin on her hands, Ms. On Thi Tu Uyen, group 6, Trung Vuong ward (Thai Nguyen city), shared: After 2 months of use, I feel that Bio-clean dishwashing liquid is quite gentle. Although the product does not create much foam, it is still able to clean stains and grease from dishes. Furthermore, this dishwashing liquid does not dry out my hands, so I feel secure in using it for a long time.
Directly guiding the topic, MSc. Nguyen Duc Tuan, lecturer at the Institute of Biotechnology – Food Technology, Nong Lam University, highly appreciates the development potential of the Bio-clean Organic Drinking Water Project in the future. The product meets safety standards for human health and is environmentally friendly, suitable for use in daily activities, especially for families with young children. Not only does it bring economic efficiency, the Project also promotes the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship among students and contributes to environmental protection associated with the development and diversification of organic products in Thai Nguyen province.
