ABUJA – The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in collaboration with some Nigerian researchers has developed automotive brake-pads from palm-kernel shells, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, RMRDC, Mr Chuks Ngaha, has said.
Ngaha told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the innovation which is part of the Council’s initiative would soon be certify for public use.
He said that the innovation was part of the Council’s mandate to promote the usage of local raw materials in the manufacturing sector, as well as develop local content and create jobs.
He said research into the product was started in October 2010, and was funded by the RMRDC.
“This is one of the major assignments the incumbent RMRDC Director-General, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, has on his desk to bring to lime-light very soon.
“The auto industries are really excited about the product; and what is now left is to actually put the brake-pads on a vehicle and run it for months.
“The brake-pads that would be produced in Nigeria would be better than foreign ones that are made with asbestos.
Ngaha said what was lefty was to test run the product, and described it as an improvement on the existing ones made from other products.
“It would last longer than the imported ones and likely to be more affordable,’’ he said.
Ngaha said that the product, when finally rolled out, would stimulate research interests in exploring local replacement for other imported raw materials.
He said that the effort would help in the facilitation, development and utilisation of local raw materials by Nigerian manufacturers. (NAN)
