By Oluremi Modupe Rebecca
In a significant move toward industrial collaboration and sustainable economic development, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) through its Ondo State Coordinating Office recently conducted an industrial visit to Armada International Limited in Akure.
The RMRDC delegation, led by State Coordinator Mrs. Tejumola F.A. met with Armada’s management to explore opportunities for innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Ismail Keles, CEO of Armada International Limited, revealed that the company has successfully established a waste-to-wealth initiative by converting sawdust from their timber pallet production into briquettes and pellets. “These sustainable alternatives to traditional wood and charcoal have higher density, resulting in slower burning and longer-lasting fuel, Ismail added”.
Our primary business is manufacturing pallets for major companies like Guinness and Nigerian Brewery, said Mr. Keles. He said we developed the briquette production line as an innovative solution to our sawdust disposal challenge.
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The Armada’s Company manager, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi, identified marketing and power supply as primary challenges facing their operations. He said the company has predominantly targeted large corporate clients, overlooking potential markets among smaller businesses and domestic consumers.
In response, Mrs. Tejumola suggested packaging briquettes in smaller quantities to make them accessible to food vendors, restaurants, bakeries, and household consumers, expanding their market reach.
Mrs. Oluremi, who recommended social media marketing strategies and targeting lower-tier markets, said there are significant opportunities to create awareness about the benefits of briquettes as an eco-friendly fuel alternative,” noted
The discussions also highlighted infrastructural challenges affecting manufacturing costs in Nigeria. Mr. Keles pointed out that operating with generators for briquette production was surprisingly more economical than relying on the national power grid, underscoring the ongoing energy challenges faced by manufacturers.
The meeting concluded with Armada committing to explore additional marketing strategies and potential collaborations with manufacturers of modern charcoal stoves to expand their briquette market.
This collaboration between RMRDC and Armada International exemplifies how government agencies and private sector entities can work together to promote sustainable industrial practices, waste management solutions, and economic development in Nigeria.
The industrial visit included a comprehensive tour of Armada’s factory facilities, providing the RMRDC team with firsthand knowledge of the production processes and potential areas for further research and development.
