Polyfilm Packaging Nigeria Limited, a manufacturer of flexible packaging for the food and consumer industries, has recorded over 25 per cent savings in energy costs after transitioning from diesel to gas amid increasing diesel prices.
Co-founder and executive director at the Ibadan-based firm, Vikram Gursahaney, said the company was spending nearly half its operating costs on the purchase of diesel and maintaining equipment, which proved unsustainable as diesel prices hit the roof.
“Energy costs have risen significantly in the manufacturing industry and can contribute up to 50 per cent of your operational expense, followed by labour and other overheads,” he said.
After exploring alternative energy options for two years, it eventually opted for Clarke Energy’s selection of gas plants.
“But there was another challenge: there was no pipeline that brought gas to Ibadan. So when Polyfilm settled on the first engine it bought from Clarke Energy — a 1 MW containerised gas engine — it entered a deal with a gas supplier to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) to the plant.
“Although CNG is expensive it is inevitably more economical than running on diesel, since we made the first purchase years ago, we have expanded the plant’s capacity in line with the company’s expansion plans and now run primarily on gas,” said Gursahaney.
Speaking on the services provided by Clarke Energy, Gursahaney 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. Also, since we do not have access to piped gas yet, which is cheaper than compressed natural gas, it is imperative to consider a very efficient engine to compensate for the difference in cost.”
He mentioned that Clarke Energy designed the complete power solution, covering aspects like front-end engineering design, engine delivery, installation, commissioning and ongoing equipment maintenance throughout the asset’s lifespan.
Managing Director of Clarke Energy in Nigeria, Yiannis Tsantilas, said the partnership with Polyfilm Packaging Nigeria aligns with Clarke Energy’s drive to extend value to manufacturers in regions further away from the piped gas network but can access bottled gas.
