Morocco's Arma to set up recycling plant in Abidjan, CEO says (updated)

Banyan Gold

16/03/2023 11:25

(Adds detail on recycling)
    By Ahmed Eljechtimi
       RABAT, March 16 (Reuters) - Moroccan waste management
company Arma is exploring expansion opportunities in African
cities and plans to set up a plastic waste recycling plant in
Ivory Coast capital Abidjan, Chief Executive Youssef Ahizoune
said on Thursday.
    "The plant is expected to be operational within a few
months," he said, noting deals are being finalised with plastic
waste suppliers.
    Arma has waste management operations in 16 Moroccan cities
including the capital Rabat but is looking to expand across the
continent while also seeking to reduce emissions.
    It introduced its first electric truck for waste collection
in Rabat last week, though replacing its entire fleet will take
time.
    "Reducing the firm's carbon footprint is a priority,”
Ahizoune said, but noted the price of heavyweight electric
vehicles and a lack of charging points on highways are
obstacles.
    Electric truck prices would need to drop to the level of
fossil fuel trucks for the company to be able to achieve full
electrification, he said. 

 (Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; editing by David Goodman and
Jason Neely)
 ((ahmed.eljechtimi@thomsonreuters.com;))