New projects were commissioned in various fields, and in view of government attention on cassava, the new R&D projects covered cassava research.

ON-GOING R&D PROJECTS 

Replacement of Asbestos with Sawdust in Brake Pad Production

Following the successful development of the flux for the pad, samples of brake pad from sawdust were produced. The researchers carried out industrial tests to detect areas of improvement and produced samples for the Council’s independent analysis.

Preparation and Characterization of Alkyd Resin using Rubber Seed Oil

The alkyd resin produced from rubber seed oil has successfully passed industrial test for use in the paint industry. Subsequently, the stakeholders in the industry confirmed the usefulness of the product. More samples have been commissioned for further assessment by the paint manufacturers. Patenting of the product for intellectual protection would be undertaken by National Office of Technology Adaptation and Promotion (NOTAP), Abuja.

R&D Products for Industrial Testing

Samples of the products from research works funded by the Council were submitted for industrial acceptability tests. The projects were:

Evaluation of Medicinal Role of Locally Produced Carbon Black

Development of Calcined Kaolin as Partial Substitute for Titanium dioxide in Paint Making Industry 

Utilization of the by-products of Palm Oil Refining

Extraction and Evaluation of Calabash Seed Oils and the Possible Use of the Lipid Free

Extract as Animal Feed

Extraction and Standardization of Vegetable Dyes for Industrial Uses- Annatto Dyes for Food Industry