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The Fascinating Story of BURN: a Leading Cookstove Manufacturing Company
With millions relying on inefficient traditional stoves, BURN’s cookstoves transform lives by cutting fuel costs and emissions.
Approximately 85% of households in Sub-Saharan Africa rely on biomass as their primary source of cooking energy. As the population grows, an additional 75,000 people on the continent are forced to depend solely on biomass each day. BURN, founded by renowned Cookstove commercialization leader and CEO Peter Scott, recognizes the urgency of providing super fuel-efficient solutions to these households to make biomass fuels affordable for them. Its innovative technology is dedicated to creating a better world and has earned numerous accolades, including recognition from the Bloomberg New Energy Finance Award, the Global Leap Awards, and Ashden International, for its positive environmental and social impact.
The company's highly efficient cookstoves are designed to reduce the negative impact of traditional cooking methods on the environment, health, and safety of individuals, especially women and children, in developing countries. By using less fuel, emitting fewer harmful emissions and smoke, and consuming 50% less charcoal compared to conventional stoves, BURN's cookstoves significantly benefit the environment while improving users' health and safety. While BURN offers a variety of stoves, including electric, hybrid, and liquid fuel options, the company prioritizes efficient biomass stoves. Its commitment to sustainability extends beyond the manufacturing of cookstoves, as the company operates carbon offset projects such as reforestation and clean energy initiatives to mitigate its environmental impact.
In November 2014, the company established a new standard for modern cookstove production in Kenya with the inauguration of its full-scale manufacturing facility, the only one of its kind in the country. BURN is the only vertically integrated modern cookstove company in Sub-Saharan Africa with a state-of-the-art, solar-powered facility that boasts impressive production rates and high-quality products. Its state-of-the-art, solar-powered facility has a monthly production capacity of 250,000 units and boasts an impressive production rate of one stove every 13 seconds within its 50,000-square-foot facility. In 2019, its manufacturing facility achieved a remarkable 99.95% "right-first-time" production.
When BURN first started, there were concerns regarding the effectiveness of cookstove programs in delivering tangible results. However, over the past decade, the company has established a thriving business while demonstrating that cookstoves can bring about transformative social, financial, and environmental benefits. A recent study from UC Berkeley found that investing $40 in a Jikokoa cookstove generates a remarkable return of $1,000 for society, demonstrating the immense value of BURN's cookstove products.
BURN is committed to diversity and inclusivity and strives to create an exceptional work environment. The company employs more than 900 individuals, with women making up 51% of the workforce. BURN operates in ten African countries and employs state-of-the-art research, development, manufacturing, and carbon offset projects from its headquarters in Kenya. By 2022, its solar-powered facility in Kenya is expected to manufacture and sell more than 150,000 stoves each month. BURN's innovative appliances have already helped over 8 million people reduce their fuel expenses, leading to reduced deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. The company's sustainability efforts have resulted in over 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide reduction, 6 million metric tons of wood saved, the creation of 1000 jobs, and over half a billion in household savings, highlighting the positive impact the company has had.
BURN addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through targeted measures. The Jikokoa cookstove is a revolutionary product that has brought significant benefits to households across Africa. By using a highly efficient combustion system, the Jikokoa stove emits significantly less smoke, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide compared to traditional stoves, reducing indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution from traditional stoves has been linked to respiratory diseases, particularly affecting women and children, who are often the primary cooks. The cookstove's ability to reduce indoor air pollution contributes to improved health outcomes for households, creating a healthier living environment for all.
The Jikokoa cookstove offers faster cooking times and higher fuel efficiency compared to traditional stoves. This enables families to prepare meals more quickly and with less fuel, freeing up time and resources for other activities, such as education. Jikokoa Stove's potential to significantly impact the education of girls is noteworthy. Traditionally, girls are expected to assist with cooking and other household chores, which can take up a significant amount of their time. By using the Jikokoa stove, families can prepare meals more quickly, freeing up time for girls to focus on their education. By enabling children to spend more time in school, the Jikokoa stove contributes to improved educational outcomes, which can have a significant impact on future opportunities and quality of life. Overall, the Jikokoa stove provides not only environmental and health benefits but also social and economic benefits, making it a powerful tool for positive change.
BURN channels all its profits into creating clean and efficient cooking solutions, achieving sustainability, expanding its reach, and fulfilling its mission of creating a better world. The company is also committed to bringing about positive, measurable change for people, forests, and the climate through its innovative cooking technology and dedication to sustainability.
Written By
Adetoro Adetayo is a contributing writer at Susinsight, exploring systems and progress across Africa.
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