The Polymer Institute of Nigeria (PIN) says it will partner with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and Plastic Recycling Plant, SAJ Foods Ltd on polymer research and development.
The partnership is aimed at encouraging research on polymer to reduce hazards of plastic waste on environment.
Prof. Paul Mamza, President of the institute, disclosed this during the a facility tour of the company in Zaria on Thursday.
Mamza, who is also a Professor of Polymer Science and Technology (ABU), said he would meet the Vice Chancellor to see how the university and the company would share experiences.
“The polymer science and technology programme students would be brought to the company for an industrial attachment.
“Instead of going to Kano for excursion with Masters of Science on Polymer Processing, students could come to the company for such exercise.
“As educational institutions, we may not meet up with you in terms of facilities because most of the equipment at the laboratories are not functioning due to poor maintenance,’’ he said.
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Mamza also disclosed that the PIN would soon become a regulatory body as the bill to that effect was already before the President for his accent.
He noted that as a regulatory body, the institute would look at the processes in all areas of polymer productions such as plastics, gums, adhesives, paints, inks, pigments among others.
The institute, he said, would register the company as its corporate member to ensure that it gets more visibility and access to the pool of polymer experts.
He added that as a corporate member of the institute, the organisations would be in close contact in terms of exchange of services and knowledge especially in research and development aspects.
“We have tried to look for options on how to utilise plastic waste.
“From all indications the plastic recycling plant established by the company would help in many ways to reduce hazards associated with disposal of plastics,’’ he said.
According to Mamza, the institute has given emphasis towards keying into the activities of industries for its day-to-day operations.
He said most of the industries that were concerned with polymer helped in funding some of the institutes’ projects and conferences; in exchange, the institute looks at the problem areas of the companies and pays back in service.
“This is more so, because we want to diversify the economy towards generating revenue from non-oil sectors and the global economy was moving towards technology driven economy.
“The diversification in production at the company is telling us that hopes are not lost on polymer development in Kaduna State, therefore, we have no option than to encourage entrepreneurs and industrialists that can do the task,’’ he said.
He, therefore, appealed for more support to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), to scale up their activities towards reducing poverty and social vices.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar, Chief Executive Officer, SAJ Food Limited, commended the institute for the visit, adding that the company had diversified its production from yoghurt to maize flour and plastic recycling.
Abubakar said the company had partnered with the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria, to sensitised 2,500 pastoralists on artificial insemination and hygienic practices to enhance dairy production.
He said the beneficiaries were drawn from Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states, adding that the initiative focused at checking pastoralists’ migration as well as address farmers/herders clashes.
He said that the Backward Integration Policy adopted by the company informed its decision to partner with the institute and other key stakeholders.
He said the company would look inwards and strengthen its collaborations with the institute and other key stakeholders, to enhance quality of its products.
