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TunisiaTransfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies: EU project helps Tunisian save money by adopting efficient and cleaner production system
December 23, 2016
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There are many reasons for Tunisian companies to invest in resource efficiency and the Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (TEST) is one of the best options they have in identifying optimal solutions. As one of Tunisia’s leading producer of canned fish, ABCO joined the MED TEST II project, funded by the EU under the SwitchMed programme, after facing problems with their Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) due to excessive volumes of wastewater that exceeded the capacities of the plant. The company managed, with the assistance of the MED TEST II project, identify several Resource Efficient Cleaner Production (RECP) actions that can reduce the wastewater output and concurrently save money in their inputs of the production.
The framework of TEST adopts a systemic point of view for designing production processes in line with local and sectorial constraints whilst looking at their impact from the outset on costs and the environment, attempting to shape the businesses so that they perform as close to environmental and economic sustainable objectives as possible.
In the case of ABCO, a replacement of the outdated process of de-frosting fish with hot steam to an eco-innovative solution that uses ultrasonic equipment would lead to water savings of 5-10%. Moreover, the MED TEST II project identified that 50% of the water used in the sardine processing could be recirculated, without any quality losses and with bigger benefits for the company and the environment. The valorisation of fish waste is fortunately something ABCO already pursues. However, in the MED TEST II project proposed additional valorization opportunities which would increase the profitability of ABCO and the savings of natural resources by offering a product on the market for secondary raw materials.
“I am pleasantly surprised by the material and the courses that were offered to our staff and the ensuing results generated in certain phases in our production line. Through MED TEST II, we have realized that with new technology and improved processes we can improve both our profitability by reducing production costs and environmental output through the upgrading of our production line,” said Sami Belagha, Director General, ABCO
The SwitchMed sustainable consumption and production programme aims to promote a switch of the Mediterranean economies towards sustainable consumption and production patterns and green economy, including low emission development, through demonstration and dissemination of methods that improve resource and energy efficiency. It also seeks to minimise the environmental impacts associated to the life cycle of products and services, and, as opportune, to promote renewable energy.
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Photo © UNIDO
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