Assessment of Supply Chain Management Practices for Raw Polymer Materials in the Nigerian Plastics Industry

Reliable and cost-effective supply chain management for raw polymer materials is a foundational operational challenge for Nigerian plastics manufacturers, most of whom depend on imported resins from Asian and European suppliers. This study assesses supply chain management practices among plastics manufacturing companies in Lagos State, South West Nigeria, examining procurement strategies, inventory management, supplier relationship practices, and supply chain risk mitigation approaches. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining structured questionnaire data from 65 procurement and operations managers with in-depth interviews of 12 key informants from large-scale plastics processors. Lead time variability, stockout frequency, working capital tied up in inventory, and landed cost as a percentage of raw material expenditure were quantified as supply chain performance metrics. Results reveal that 74 percent of respondents sourced primary resins exclusively from international suppliers, with average lead times of 45 to 90 days and significant landed cost premiums from port handling charges and duty payments. Inventory carrying costs averaged 22 percent of raw material value annually, reflecting the need for large safety stocks to buffer against supply uncertainty. Only 31 percent of firms employed formal supplier evaluation frameworks. Stockouts resulting in production downtime occurred at least quarterly for 56 percent of respondents. The study recommends consolidation of local polymer feedstock production through Nigeria's planned petrochemical investment programme, development of regional raw material buying consortia among small and medium processors, and structured supplier certification frameworks. Findings support policy advocacy for domestic resin production capacity expansion to reduce supply chain vulnerability. Keywords: supply chain management, raw polymer, plastics industry, procurement, Lagos