Ultralight weight, High Absorbency Sanitary Pads. With a bio-degradable packaging box which is better for the planet.
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The Problem
When the average woman in Ghana (West Africa/ Africa) enters a retail store to purchase a sanitary pad, the vague idea she has in mind is the “Thicker the sanitary pad, the more it absorbs”. Same vague idea applies to most women around the world.
Through surveys and health reports, these thick/ bulky pads creates so many inconvenience to the menstruating woman; some of these inconveniences are skin irritation due to over soaking, rashes due to artificial fragrances, increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), potential for allergic reactions, discomfort from prolonged wear, and in rare cases, an increased risk of bacterial infections if not changed frequently enough.
90% of the popular store brands are packaged in aluminum coated PET rubber which is non-biodegradable; it’s degradation is extremely slow, potentially taking hundreds of years to break down.
Tests reveals the absorbency of most popular store brand pads are significantly different than their labels suggest.
Solution
These inconvenient statistics obliged us to consider “the possibility of a lighter more sustainable pad”. After more than 6 months of research and samples development PLASENCE brand became a realization; the outcome was a sustainable sanitary pad with a gel-like cotton core that is thinner and lighter than the popular store brands.
The pad is embedded with an anion chip which inhibits the bacteria growth, regulates acidic secretions in the vagina and prevents infections.
The gel-like cotton core of our pads with a breathable base, have higher absorbency which locks away funneled fluid, dries and minimizes leaks and odor. Our pads have been certified by the FDA both in Ghana and in the originating country.
The packaging of Plasence sanitary pads adopted degradable packaging cardboard box instead of the popular aluminum coated PET rubber packaging 90% of the sanitary pad brands on the African market uses.
Launch of Plasence
Research and Development was completed in the last quarter of 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, Plasence launched 2,000pcs of sanitary pads as our MVP to test the market after giving out trial products as samples to friends and family. Reception of the MVP was impressive both on social media and in the open market.
Less than 45% of the female population in Ghana are using social media so we launched a series of open market product activation campaigns to resonate the brand name with the local women.
We launched our MVP with 2 variants: Normal Flow (10pcs pack) and Heavy Flow (10pcs pack), which we SOLD OUT in less than 10 months.
Reviews from our MVP testers (Customers):
Improved Commercial Range (Mass Production)
After a successful MVP, PLASENCE is launching 5 variants in our commercial range: 13pcs Normal Flow, 13pcs Heavy Flow(Night), 24pcs Normal Flow, 24pcs Heavy Flow (Night), 20pcs Panty Liner.
The average quantity in a pack of sanitary pad in Ghana is 8-12pcs. A woman with above-average flow type has to purchase more than 1 pack to get through her flow every month. To save money from excess purchases, Plasence is introducing 2 variants of 24pcs packs which will cost 40% less than 2 regular pack purchases.
Promoting Menstrual Equity
In 2024, we supported an NGO during the World Menstrual Health Day to educate and donate sanitary towels to young girls in underprivileged schools.
