Lagos: The Federal Ministry of Environment has inaugurated a Systems House at Vitapur Plc to optimise the use of ozone- and climate-friendly polyurethane systems. The facility was inaugurated with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative aligns with the implementation of the Montreal Protocol’s Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP), targeting the elimination of HCFCs by January 1, 2030. These substances, commonly used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and foam manufacturing, have high ozone-depleting potential.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Montreal Protocol and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in addressing climate change challenges. He highlighted the collaboration with UNDP in upgrading the Systems House at Vitapur for the formulation of ozone- and climate-friendly methyl formate-based pre-blended polyol, serving as an alternative to the ozone-depleting HCFC-141b-based polyols used in rigid polyurethane foam applications.
Lawal noted that the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol had approved the project, which aims to introduce a variety of ozone and climate-friendly technologies into the market, facilitating the phase-out of HCFC-141b. He also emphasized the government’s intention to establish policies and legislation that support relevant stakeholders in implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative, represented by Mr. Muyiwa Odele, expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s compliance with the phase-out of ozone-depleting materials. She described the commissioning as a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s leadership in environmental stewardship, industrial innovation, and sustainable development, reflecting the strength of partnerships between the government, private sector, and international community.
The Chairman of Vitapur Plc, Mr. Zakari Sada, commended the federal government for creating an enabling environment for businesses in the foam sector. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among industry, international bodies like the UNDP, and the government to achieve meaningful and sustainable development. Sada assured continued compliance with applicable laws around quality health and environmental protection.