Bel Papyrus: Use of Local Raw Materials, Stable Power Will Boost Nigeria’s Manufacturing Sector

Peter Uzoho

Bel Papyrus Limited, Nigeria’s biggest tissue manufacturing company, has said that the use of local raw materials ,in addition to a stable electricity supply were essential in boosting the country’s manufacturing sector.

The company also said manufacturers require government support to secure raw materials locally, following the high cost of importing them due to the devaluation of the local currency.

The General Manager of Bel Papyrus Limited, Charbel Kairouz, stated this during a chat with THISDAY.

Bel Papyrus is reputed as the largest tissue reel manufacturer in West Africa. It employs more than a thousand personnel to produce high quality and cost-effective products. It has three paper machines with an annual capacity of more than forty-five thousand metric tonnes (45,000 MT) of jumbo reels.

Lke many other manufacturing firms in the country, Kairouz explained that the company grapples with challenges relating to sourcing foreign exchange for raw materials required for the manufacturing process, adding that power also presents a major challenge as the supply from the grid remains unstable.

“Local raw materials, with a stable power, will allow companies to save costs, time, and key supply chain challenges. In addition, if the government can look into making purchasing raw materials possible locally, it will go a long way to solving a key problem for all manufacturers in Nigeria,” Kairouz stated.

The company, which has been in operation for over 25 years, is considering embarking on backward integration as soon as economic conditions improve and the power supply becomes more stable.

Manufacturers in Nigeria, apart from struggling to secure foreign exchange for the importation of raw materials, are battling high energy costs, which represent almost 40 per cent of all their costs, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

“We need stable power because a majority of our equipment is designed to run 24/7, and if stopped at any time, we will experience technical difficulties resulting in a longer recovery time and loss of resources”, Kairouz said.

The company has scaled this challenge by relying on self-power generation solutions offered by Clarke Energy, a clean energy solutions provider.

“Clarke Energy showed professionalism by assessing and analysing the condition of our existing power setup, carrying out a technical study, and recommending the deployment of the Jenbacher gas power plant,” he said.

According to Kairouz, since switching to gas, the business has improved competitiveness in the market, resulting in cost savings by using gas to generate electricity rather than relying on diesel generators.

He said the switch to gas and the decision to invest in their 11.3 megawatts (MW) plant to power their three factories has made operations more efficient, with factory equipment running over 90,000 hours.

According to him, gas is also cleaner, helping to cut emissions while offering uninterrupted supply and boosting productivity.

Highlighting the services provided by Clarke Energy, Kairouz said, “They have a very responsive after-sales team available to attend to us when we call. We have realised a substantial increase in value, specifically in terms of the energy yield measured in kilowatt-hours per standard cubic meter of gas.

“Clarke Energy designed the entire power solution, from front-end engineering designs to engine delivery, installation, commissioning, and equipment maintenance over its life span.”

Commenting, Managing Director of Clarke Energy in sub-Saharan Africa, Yiannis Tsantilas, said: “Bel Papyrus has demonstrated resilience as it expands its investment in Nigeria over the years. Its values align with Clarke Energy’s drive to extend value to various manufacturers and service providers in Nigeria.”

He added, “Resilience and innovation are the keys to maintaining the lead in supporting the pulp and paper industry to provide consumer products that are part of our daily lives.

“Making such investments in Nigeria directly impacts product costs and relieves the pressure on the global supply chain if otherwise imported.
In the wake of the call for greener earth practices, Bel Papyrus already leads sustainable development in the pulp and paper industry.

“It continues investing in eco-friendly production processes, including its earliest switch to gas and paper recycling, to lower carbon footprints and environmental waste. Of course, this could only have been driven by extraordinary leadership and a commitment to deliver value to Nigerians.”