Dangote Begins Manufacturing of Polypropylene, Key Material For Automotive Material, Others

Dangote Begins Manufacturing of Polypropylene, Key Material For Automotive Material, Others

  • President of the Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, has stated that Nigeria will no longer import polypropylene from October
  • The development comes as the Dangote refinery is nearing its 650,000bpd operational capacity
  • Polypropylene is a versatile plastic widely used in packaging, textiles, automotive parts, and medical equipment

Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.

The chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has declared that from October, Nigeria will no longer import polypropylene, a versatile product used in manufacturing.

The development comes as the 650,000 bpd-capacity refinery nears total operational capacity.

Aliko Dangote, polypropylene
Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote's refinery to begin the manufacturing of polypropylene Credit: Bloomberg/Contributor
Source: Getty Images

Dangote Refinery to dip into the polypropylene market

The oil refinery is poised to enter Nigeria's polypropylene market, estimated at $267.7 million.

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The refinery aims to stop Nigeria’s dependence on imported polypropylene, a key material for packaging, textile, and automotive manufacturing industries.

The Nigerian Tribune reports that Dangote said Nigeria will no longer import polypropylene from October, stressing the country previously imported about a quarter of a million tons.

Polypropylene is a versatile plastic widely used in packaging, textiles, automotive parts, and medical equipment. Nigerian manufacturers import it in enormous quantities.

Nigeria’s polypropylene import jumps in 2024

Data from TradeMap shows that Nigeria’s annual polypropylene imports are estimated at $267.7, peaking at $407 million in 2022.

Other data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Nigeria imported about N99.6 billion in polypropylene in the first quarter of 2024, making it the country's 12th most imported product.

The Nigerian billionaire stressed that the refinery will meet Nigeria’s demand for polypropylene and ease local production and manufacturers' struggle with forex and extended shipping times.

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“Industries will no longer need to stock up for months due to import delays,” Dangote said.

The many uses of polypropylene 

He also stressed that his company is a significant consumer of polypropylene, especially in Dangote Packaging.

Reports say Nigeria imports polypropylene from Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, China, and Vietnam, which accounts for 90% of the country’s demand in Q1 2024.

Many industries favour the product due to its flexibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

It is also used in flexible and rigid forms for different applications, including food packaging, caps, closures, and containers for condiments and detergents.

Dangote begins another project

Legit.ng earlier reported that Dangote Cement Plc had announced plans to set up a multi-million naira skills acquisition development centre in Lokoja, Kogi State, to enhance empowerment and economic development.

President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and the Kogi Statement conceived the project.

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A statement from the Dangote Cement Corporate Communications Department and the Plant Director at the Dangote Cement, Obajana, Azad Nawabuddin, said the project will be completed in the coming months.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Pascal Oparada avatar

Pascal Oparada (Business editor) For over a decade, Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy. He has worked in many media organizations such as Daily Independent, TheNiche newspaper, and the Nigerian Xpress. He is a 2018 PwC Media Excellence Award winner. Email:pascal.oparada@corp.legit.ng