By Precious Mbaramah
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has intensified its campaign for local raw materials utilisation and sustainable industrial development, pledging greater support for indigenous recycling firms to boost productivity and environmental protection.
The commitment was made during an industrial visit by the Council’s Imo State Coordinating Office to Impexus Services West Africa Limited, a plastic recycling and packaging company located along the Owerri–Onitsha Expressway in Irete, Imo State led by Imo State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mr. David Enemuo and was received by the Manager, Mr. David Enema.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Enemuo said RMRDC remained committed to driving industrial growth through the development and efficient utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant raw materials.
He explained that the visit is to enable the Council to evaluate manufacturers’ operations, identify production challenges, and explore areas for technical collaboration and intervention.
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During the inspection, the RMRDC team observed that while production was ongoing, much of the company’s equipment remained manually operated. Enemuo noted that upgrading to automated machinery would improve production capacity, product quality, energy efficiency and workplace safety.
Meanwhile, the Manager of Impexus Services West Africa Limited, Mr. Enema. Explained that the company produces polyethylene packaging materials, including sachet water nylon, shopping bags, refuse bags, marketing bags and shrink-wrap products. He said it sources crushed plastic waste from waste collectors and recycling agents across Imo and neighbouring states, converting the materials into finished packaging products through a recycling process that supports environmental sustainability.
He noted that the company has maintained steady production and continues to supply customers within and outside Imo State. However, identified inadequate production machinery, multiple taxation and rising energy costs as the major constraints limiting expansion and competitiveness.
Enemuo commended the company for transforming plastic waste into valuable industrial products and for its commitment to using locally sourced raw materials. He said the firm’s operations align with the Council’s mandate of promoting value addition, import substitution and sustainable industrialisation.
He assured the management of RMRDC’s continued support through technical assistance and other intervention programmes aimed at strengthening the company’s production capacity and long-term competitiveness.
The visit also highlighted the critical role of recycling enterprises in creating jobs, reducing environmental pollution and promoting a circular economy through the conversion of waste into valuable industrial raw materials.
