He spoke at the commissioning of a partnership project in Lagos, where he encouraged the use of methyl formate as an alternative to HCFC 141b. Abubakar said the initiative, second of its kind after South Africa on the continent, would encourage ozone-friendly and low global warming potential blowing agents in the production of rigid foam, foreign exchange from methyl formate exports and local production.
The minister said Nigeria chose methyl formate as a product-blowing agent because of cost effectiveness, solubility, low volatility and system stability. In their remarks, the partners, including the Group Managing Director of Vitafoam Plc, Taiwo Adeniyi and Country Representative for UNIDO Office, Jean Bakole, pledged their commitment to the success of the project.