Production of Polypropylene by Dangote Refinery can revive Nigeria’s textile industry – MAN DG

The Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said that the increased local production of polypropylene in Africa’s most populous country will help to revive and build a competitive textile industry.

The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made this remark while speaking in an interview on Channels TV’s Business Incorporated, adding that the production of polypropylene by the Dangote refinery can revive Nigeria’s comatose textile industry.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Dangote Refinery had commenced production of polypropylene, with a capacity to produce 830,000 metric tonnes per year from two plants within the refinery.

Ajayi-Kadri, while highlighting the impact of the development on the manufacturing sector, described it as “a welcome development”, noting that it meets more than local demands, which currently stands at around 250,000 metric tonnes per year.

He affirmed that the development would end the importation of polypropylene and help Nigeria save over 267 million US Dollars.

DG MAN explained that the production of polypropylene in Nigeria can revive the textile industry which has collapsed as a result of poor investment and other business challenges.

According to him, the textile industry relies on polypropylene for manufacturing ropes, carpets, and nonwoven fabrics, such as those used in disposable hygiene products like diapers and sanitary pads, among other fabrics.

He recounted that the textile industry used to be vibrant years ago, “employing more than 25,000 workers aged between 18 and 40 years”, noting that it collapsed as many of the companies in the industry fled the country, but the Dangote refinery is promising a resuscitation of the industry.

In his words: “We believe that Dangote polypropylene coming into the market will ensure that we have a lowering of prices as it will boost local production. It has been demonstrated in the petroleum sector.

“We should also see this as creating competition in the domestic environment, which should see to the lowering of the cost in that sector.

“We are seeing this as an addition to building a competitive textile industry, and of course by extension the garment industry in Nigeria.”

He stressed that Nigeria imports 90 percent of its polypropylene needs and ranks 28th among top importers of the commodity.

The latest data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that the country brought in the product valued at N230.97 billion in 2024, placing it at number 12 on the top 15 products imported by Nigeria from the rest of the world.

He cited the country’s annual polypropylene needs to be 250,000 metric tons, adding that the coming on board of Dangote polypropylene will move the country from a net importer to exporter of the commodity.

He further stated that “NNPC has a capacity for 13,000 of polypropylene and when you add this to what Indorama has and the huge supply that we are going to have from the Dangote Refinery, effectively, we have become a net exporter of polypropylene.”

He lamented that the country’s textile industry, which was once a thriving sector in Nigeria, has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and stiff competition from imported textiles.

He noted that with the local production of polypropylene, manufacturers will no longer have to rely on imported polypropylene, which will help reduce their costs and increase efficiency.

He described this development as encouraging news for manufacturers because since the textile industry relies on the petrochemical industry and it is now available locally, manufacturers will no longer continue to look for foreign exchange to be able to meet our demands.

Ajayi-Kadri urged the federal government to support manufacturers through incentives, stressing it will drive more investments in the sector, create new job opportunities, boost manufacturing contribution to Gross Domestic Product, help the country attain its targeted $1trillion as well as increase export earnings.

Polypropylene, a versatile plastic used in a wide range of applications from packaging and textiles to automotive parts and medical equipment, is currently imported in large quantities by Nigerian manufacturers.

It’s often preferred over materials like cellophane, metal, and paper due to its flexibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

It is also used in food and confectionery, tobacco, and clothing industries in flexible form while in rigid form, polypropylene can be found in caps, closures, pallets, crates, bottles, JIT storage solutions, and containers for products like condiments, detergents, toiletries, and yogurt.