The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has revealed plans that it is working hard to save the nation $2.1 billion on importation of ceramics by 2025. BINTA SHAMA reports.
7000 ceramic products globally
Ceramic products are mineral-based products manufactured under the non-metallic sector of the economy. It has been postulated that the degree of industrial activities of any nation is related to the level of development, application and utilization of ceramic products as the products have permeated the fabric of modern industrialized economies.
Ceramics are classified into two; the traditional ceramics, such as rocks, minerals, clay, concrete, refractories and porcelain and the modern ceramics. The modern ceramics includes engineering and technology materials such as pure oxide products such as aluminium, silicon, zinc, magnesium oxides and nuclear fuels.
Ceramic products are refined to a temperature of 540⁰C and above during manufacture. There are more than 7000 ceramic products globally. The products are divided into four categories namely; structural materials such as kiln lining materials, gas fire radiant, foundry crucible, etc; white-wares among which are earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, bone china, tiles, sanitary ware, etc, and the technical ceramics which includes gas burner nozzles, ballistic protection, biomedical implants, coatings of jet engine, turbines blades, etc.
Abundance of ceramics in Nigeria
Kaolin is the principal clay raw material used in the production of most ceramic products. Clays are complex alumino-silicate compounds. Clay minerals are the most common and abundant minerals on earth and are found in most parts of the country. The basic clay minerals found in Nigeria include kaolin, feldspar, quatz, limestone, talc, silica sand, ball clay and bentonite. They are present in abundant quantities in most states in Nigeria. Kaolin deposits are found in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ogun, Ondo, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Imo, Nasarawa, Niger and Oyo states. For instance, proven kaolin deposits in Nigeria is about 800 million tons. Likewise, Nigeria has more than 40 million tons of talc deposits located in Niger, Osun, Kogi, Ogun and Kaduna states, while talc, is found in nearly all the states of the federation.
Ceramics processing, utilization helps technological development
Today, the exploitation, processing and utilization of the ceramic minerals are positively influencing technological development and economic growth in many countries. This is confirmed by the expanding market of ceramic products globally. For instance, the global ceramics market, valued at $229.13 billion in 2018, is projected to grow at a lucrative Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2019 to 2025. As a result, the annual global ceramics market size is expected to reach $407.72 billion by 2025.
Presently, there are only 9 ceramic manufacturing companies in Nigeria with 8 of them manufacturing ceramic tiles, and one, ceramic sanitary ware. The combined capacity of the companies was 114 million m3 in 2018 and most of them were operating below installed capacity, due of shortage of professionals with generic and technical skills in ceramics manufacturing, coupled with dearth of infrastructure, particularly electricity supply and dependence on imported plants, machineries and spare parts. As a result, there is about 11 million MT shortages in the demand and supply gap for ceramic products in Nigeria which are cushioned by importation.
Ceramics importation negatively affects local development
Due to this, the importation of ceramic products into the country has affected the development and market of locally produced ceramic products as many customers prefer to buy foreign made products. Ceramic products dealers now prefer importation of ceramic products to establishing local ceramic industries. Consequently, the country imported ceramics products worth over $800 million in 2018 and $900 worth 2019 respectively. The importation of the products into the country is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2025. This is to be driven by rising demand, particularly in the real estate sector as the building and construction industry is the second fastest growing sector in Nigeria with a housing deficit of 17 million units. According to World Bank estimates, this would require about US $22 billion to fund. With a market of this size, the Nigerian ceramic industry has enormous growth potential.
Intervention of RMRDC
In view of the problems militating against local production of ceramic products in Nigeria, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has been involved in promoting programmes and projects aimed at encouraging production of high quality ceramics products locally. To create awareness and sensitize the public on the critical importance of ceramics development to economic and industrial growth, an inventory of existing ceramic industries in the country was conducted to obtain information on the status of ceramic products manufacturing in the country. The study showed the abysmally low level of production which made the council embark on investment promotion in ceramics products manufacturing. Likewise, the Council has ensured the development, production and establishment of processing plants in some parts of the country. The first project was the Pharmaceutical grade Kaolin Plant at Kankara in Katsina State in 1997, while the second was the Industrial Grade Kaolin Plant located at Gwarzo, Kano State in 1998. Both plants were designed to use wet processing methods for the production of Pharmaceutical and Industrial grade Kaolin respectively. The equipment fabricated locally were: Blungers, Hydro cyclones, Sieves, Tanks, Filter Presses, Dryers, Hammer Mills, Floatation Machines, etc. Likewise, the Council collaborated with the Niger State Government for the establishment of catalytic model factory at Kagara which was commissioned and the council later divested. Most of the equipment were locally fabricated. The plant has installed capacity of 3000 tonnes a year of processed talc. The Council’s initiatives have led to the emergence of other talc processing SMEs within Niger and Kogi States that supply processed talc to user industries. This has led to Nigeria being self-sufficient in technical grade talc, and savings of more than 5 billion naira annually from importation of technical grade talc.
RMRDC partners PRODA, others to enhance ceramics
The Council is presently collaborating with Projects Development Agency, (PRODA), Enugu and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos, to promote the development of other types of ceramics processing plants for the production of products such as tiles, porcelain, china wares, etc. When this project is completed, it will increase the range of products locally manufactured. The Council is also collaborating with Interlinked Technologies Plc, Lagos, Life –Mac Industries Ltd., Oji River Enugu and Dajo Pottery at Makurdi, Benue State to promote increased capacity utilization of their facilities. The major areas of the Council’s interest are Refractory Bricks and Electrical Porcelain Insulator production. Feasibility reports have been produced on the projects. In addition the Council in collaboration with other mandated organization are considering involving Government Banks and other Financial Institutions to create support fund for the ceramics industries.
About three years ago, the Council collaborated with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, to characterize the kaolin, talc and other industrial minerals in Niger and Kogi States. The results have been published for investors use. The Council is developing a processing/beneficiation plant for feldspar. This is expected to add value to raw feldspar for different industrial applications.
In view of the importance of this sector to economic development, foreign exchange generation and provision of employment to our youths, the Council has put in place strategies to enhance partnership with Ceramics stakeholders in the area of capacity building, public private partnership in setting up of a catalytic factory for Ceramic products in Nigeria. In addition, the Council is working with the Tariff Board and other relevant agencies to initiate policies that will enhance development of the ceramic sector. Among the objectives of the policy will be to introduce appropriate incentives to encourage investors in the development the sector, thereby, encouraging rapid growth, competitiveness and sustenance of the ceramic industries.
