A Zambian firm has begun producing fuel from used tyres and plastic containers using technology that could hold the key to easing the country’s headache over high fuel import bill and unsightly litter.
According to reports monitored here on Tuesday, Central African Renewable Energy Corporation currently produces 600-700 litres of diesel and petrol per day from 1.5 tonnes of used tyres and containers.
Company chief executive Mulenga Mulenga is quoted as saying, at its peak, his plant targets to contribute between 20 and 30 percent of Zambia’s daily fuel consumption of 140 million litres of petrol.
This is expected to significantly slash Zambia’s US$1.4 billion annual fuel import bill – while also easing the challenge of litter across the country.
The company is looking for US$60 million in investment to raise daily fuel output to 400 tonnes of diesel, 125 tonnes of petrol, and 30 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, he said.
The technology has gained traction in other parts of the world where companies have seen value in unwanted waste.
JN/APA