The just concluded Propak West Africa 2015 has exposed untapped opportunities in Nigeria’s packaging, printing, processing and plastics industries.
Investors, local and foreign, converged at Landmark Centre in Lagos at this year’s Propak West Africa to leverage unending opportunities in Nigeria’s packaging industry and market their products, establish new business relationships while concluding plans to establish plants and offices in the country.
“With the rapid growth in opportunities within the packaging, printing and plastics industries in Nigeria, Propak West Africa is perfectly placed to display innovative product solutions and showcase the latest developments in packaging and printing excellence,” said George Pearson, regional director (West Africa), Afrocet Montgomery.
Pearson said the exhibition provided a platform for regional and international companies to meet, network and do business with firms driving the industrial sectors’ huge growth.
Some of the companies that participated included Chellarams plc, a leading Nigerian conglomerate; Chia Ming Machinery, a manufacturer of blow molding machines in Taiwan; Clear Pak, maker of filling/capping machines; Acepak, a South African manufacturer of end of line packaging equipment.
Others are Global Sterling Products Limited, a leading player in the food processing, beverage and water treatments in Nigeria; Dhiman Industries, manufacturer of hard candy, ball/flat lollipop, bubblegum, fondant plant and chocolate equipment.
Nigeria’s packaging industry recorded about 40 percent expansion in the last five years, according to Naomi Peterson, managing director, Nampet Ventures Nigeria Limited, producer of disposable plastic materials based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a recent survey, PCI Film Consulting says Nigeria’s packaging industry has accounted for 12 percent of the $4 billion recorded by Middle East and African markets in the last five years.
One reason for this is the steady rise in urbanisation rate as more people move from rural and less developed areas to cities.
The industry is also spiked by recent strides in the pharmaceutical industry, where over N300 billion was invested. Pharmaceuticals use many packaging materials in drug packaging.
The growth is also propelled by rise in retail mega stores and the growing awareness on the part of manufacturers to improve visibility and competitiveness.
“The demand for plastic containers is being driven by the need to package food in very attractive containers. The fact that these containers are disposable is also helping the continuous demand,” says Peterson.
ODINAKA ANUDU
