10%

New Facility Shows What Climate Action Looks Like on the Ground:

Inside Nigeria’s Shift to Safer Foam Production through UNDP’s support

By UNDP NIGERIA

The commissioning of the Optimized System House at Vitapur Nigeria Limited in Lagos marks a turning point in Nigeria’s effort to eliminate harmful chemicals from its manufacturing sector. Developed with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Ozone Office, the facility is now fully equipped to produce rigid polyurethane foam using safer, climate-friendly materials.

With the complete phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbon-141b (HCFC-141b) in Vitapur’s operations, Nigeria has not only met a major obligation under the Montreal Protocol but has also positioned its foam industry for long-term sustainability. The facility replaces outdated systems with modern blending tanks, upgraded control panels, safety systems, and an internationally certified laboratory. It now uses alternative blowing agents such as Hydrofluoro-olefins (HFOs), Cyclopentane, and Methylal. These chemicals are safer for the ozone layer and less harmful to the climate.

HCFC-141b has been widely used in foam production for decades. It helped manufacturers meet insulation and product standards, but at a high environmental cost. It depletes the ozone layer and has high global warming potential. Under the Montreal Protocol, Nigeria committed to phasing out this substance. That commitment required more than a ban - it demanded investment, new equipment, new skills, and a transition plan that would not cripple local production. The Optimized System House is the result of that work.

New Facility Shows What Climate Action Looks Like on the Ground:

The project was funded under Stage II of the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan and guided by technical expertise from UNDP. The phase-out at Vitapur eliminates more than 301 metric tons of HCFC-141b annually. The benefits go beyond chemical substitution. By producing pre-blended polyols locally, Vitapur reduces Nigeria’s dependence on imported foam systems. That saves foreign exchange and creates opportunities for smaller companies that cannot afford imported products. It also strengthens local supply chains and encourages the development of more resilient manufacturing infrastructure.

UNDP Nigeria has played a significant role in supporting the transition phase through training, equipment procurement and technical oversight. UNDP helped ensure that the new facility meets both environmental and industrial standards. This kind of support is part of a broader effort to help countries meet their climate and environmental commitments while creating jobs and improving competitiveness.

Muyiwa Odele, who leads the Environment and Climate Change Unit at UNDP Nigeria, described the project as a practical example of how global agreements can lead to real change. He pointed to the alignment between this work and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, which outlines the country’s strategy for reducing emissions and building climate resilience. The System House is a concrete outcome of those goals, delivering results that can be measured in jobs, cleaner air and stronger local industries.

Further, the project also builds on earlier efforts to convert foam manufacturers to safer technologies. In 2023, Slavit Nigeria Limited transitioned to Cyclopentane-based systems, removing an additional 96 metric tons of HCFC-141b from circulation. These efforts are not isolated. They form a pattern of coordinated action supported by public policy and technical assistance.

At the commissioning event, Vitapur’s leadership made it clear that local manufacturers face more than technical hurdles. Policy barriers, such as high import duties on raw materials, still put local producers at a disadvantage. While finished insulated panels can be imported duty-free, the steel sheets used for local production are taxed at 40 percent. This creates a skewed market that punishes companies trying to build domestically.

UNDP sees this project as a platform for further progress. By proving that clean production is possible and profitable, it opens the door for similar upgrades across Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. It also offers a model for other countries navigating their own HCFC phase-outs. What sets this project apart is its long-term focus. It was not designed for a photo-op. It was designed to work.

Nigeria now stands as one of only two African countries (South Africa as the other) with this level of capability in foam system blending. That status brings credibility on the international stage and practical benefits at home. With the right policies and continued investment, the Optimized System House can help Nigeria expand its industrial base while meeting global climate goals.

For UNDP, this is not the end of the work. It is a step forward. The facility shows what happens when environmental targets are met with serious planning, strong partnerships, and a commitment to outcomes that go beyond compliance. This is climate action that supports industry. It reduces emissions, improves livelihoods, and builds systems that can adapt and grow. That’s the real success behind the project at Vitapur.