Vitapur Nigeria Opens Rigid Polyurethane Plant

Vitapur Nigeria, a subsidiary of Vitafoam, has recently set up an ozone-friendly polyurethane plant in Lagos. The plant will produce rigid polyurethane foam for various applications. By eliminating 301 tons per year of emissions, Vitapur Nigeria will have completed the phase-out of ozone-depleting HCFC-141b in its operations. Nigeria's inaugural plant is the second of its kind in Africa.

The facility was built with the support of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It will develop ozone-friendly polyol blends for rigid polyurethane foam for refrigeration, air conditioning and building insulation, with Vitapur phasing out the use of HCFC-141b. Different ozone-friendly blowing agents will be evaluated to optimise formulations.

The ministry said it will continue to work with UNDP, industry partners and other stakeholders to complete trials, validate formulations and scale up production. Further technical support and training programs will be rolled out as the project progresses, the minister said.

“This innovation supports the Montreal Protocol, boosts energy efficiency, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” the ministry said. “With support from UNDP and industry partners, the project will drive sustainable manufacturing, technology transfer, and capacity building in Nigeria’s foam and refrigeration sector.”