Aliko Dangote who runs the largest single-train oil refinery is also looking to establish Africa’s largest polypropylene production site.
A recent report by the Punch newspaper showed that Dangote has begun the startup of its polypropylene facility in Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos.
This is also buttressed by the fact that an unfinished task, according to S&P Global, for the Dangote Refinery in its commissioning sequence, which has been underway since January 2024, was the opening of Dangote’s 830,000 metric tons per year polypropylene plant.
“Polypropylene production has now started, with supplies being distributed in 25kg bags, and has already threatened to upend the domestic market,” two market sources had told Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.
The Nigerian businessman and Africa’s richest fellow had earlier expressed confidence that the complex would satisfy Nigeria’s annual need for polypropylene at a rate of about 250,000 metric tons.
With two polypropylene units with capacities of 500,000 mt/year and 330,000 mt/year, the factory is expected to expand into Africa’s largest polypropylene manufacturing site once it is fully operational.
According to S&P Global, market players are concerned that Dangote could rapidly gain market share in the current polypropylene homopolymer market, which has up until now been dominated by imports from the Middle East and centered at Indorama Eleme’s Port Harcourt refinery in Nigeria,
Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, provided insight on the recent development, stating that the facility will stimulate significant investment in the downstream industries.
“We have 77 types of polypropylene, which can go for different uses that we can produce from our petrochemical plant. Currently, the plant is capable of producing about 900,000 tonnes of polypropylene per annum. Our Petrochemical plant should be the biggest in Africa,” he had said last year.
“Right now, raw materials from polypropylene are imported into the country. There is no foreign exchange for manufacturers to import raw materials. The Dangote Petrochemical plant is going to take care of this challenge,” he added.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer made from propylene monomers. It is widely used due to its durability, chemical resistance, and affordability.
In packaging, it is commonly found in plastic containers, food packaging, bottle caps, and films. The textile industry uses polypropylene for carpets, ropes, upholstery, and reusable shopping bags.
In the automotive sector, it is used for bumpers, dashboards, and battery casings because of its lightweight and strong properties. Medical applications include syringes, medical trays, and surgical instruments, as it can be easily sterilized.
Households rely on polypropylene for storage containers, kitchen utensils, and toys. Industrially, it is used in pipes, insulation, and laboratory equipment.
