Empowering Artisans in Nepal with know-how and co-funding 

The Association for Craft Producers (ACP) in Nepal, a fair-trade organisation supporting low-income artisans, collaborated with a PUM expert in 2023 to enhance ceramic production techniques. This year, with co-funding from PUM’s Hans Blankert Fund, six potters were able to adopt more efficient methods, reduce costs, and increase their competitiveness.

 The Association for Craft Producers (ACP) is a fair trade organisation in Nepal that supports low-income artisans with design, marketing, and technical services. ACP integrates traditional craft with modern design and offers its members a flexible programme for creative collaboration. In addition to promoting the welfare of artisans, ACP is committed to environmental conservation through sustainable practices. 

In early 2023, ACP approached PUM seeking expertise to train their ceramic producers in new techniques. PUM expert in Inorganic Materials, Industry Glass & Ceramics, Wim Crompvoets, was matched with the project, focusing on improving glazing and colouring methods. During the training, Wim observed that potters were firing every single piece twice – first for bisque and then a second time after glazing by dipping. This method is very labour-intensive, energy-consuming,  and reduces the lifespan of the kiln. Wim proposed a more efficient approach: spraying glaze onto the raw material and firing the pieces just once.  

Investing in sustainable growth

Recognising the need for equipment to implement this new technique, Wim collaborated with ACP and the potters to create a plan for building spray cabins, including purging compressors and spray guns. He designed a spray cabin featuring a water curtain, which not only ensures an efficient spraying process but also allows for the reuse of spray dust. Wim submitted a request to PUM’s Hans Blankert Fund (HBF) for co-financing, while the six potters themselves would cover the remaining costs. HBF is committed to empower PUM clients to grow, innovate and enhance their sustainability. The additional funding, enabled the potters to purchase the spray cabins, driving business growth. A local constructor in Nepal built the first spray cabin, which, after testing, was replicated six times for the potters. 

Future impact

In August, Wim revisited Nepal to check on the progress. He comments: “All six potters had installed their spray cabins and, after some practice, were achieving excellent results. The new process enables them to fire their ceramics only once, reducing production costs by 20-25%. This efficiency improvement has allowed the artisans to lower their prices, making them more competitive in the market and significantly boosting their income.” 

Although PUM’s involvement in Nepal has concluded, the investment made through the Hans Blankert Fund and the collaboration with Wim have left a lasting impact. These potters are now better equipped to grow their businesses, ensuring a more sustainable future for themselves and their community.