If you read the article properly it also states that in projects of the type as indicated in the STEP article, when students design new products this benefits the host company !!!
"In the process, the projects can also increase the growth and innovation potential of the host business. Most small businesses involved are convinced by Shell STEP of the value a student project can deliver, with 96% of last year's SME participants stating that they would offer further opportunities to students in the future."
Now That said you can assume that cos the company went into full scale production plus the distributors buy in bulk and they are now supplying the product that the first order of 750,000 will be a minimum in my opinion!