Egypt's Qalaa Holdings said on Monday it had recently signed a cooperation protocol with Egyptian Company for Solid Waste Recycling (ECARU) and France's Axens. The protocol will see carrying out technical and economic studies for a project of second-generation biofuel i.e., advanced bioethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, the statement read. The project will be implemented in two phases, the first of which will be the production of advanced bioethanol while the second will be the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The project's studies will take around seven months, as Qalaa aims to export its production of second-generation biofuel in line with Egypt's strategy to maximise the use of various waste types and contribute to sustainability and waste recycling, thereby fostering economic growth. Qalaa is exerting all the efforts to produce cleaner energy and alternative fuels, a step that comes in line with Egypt's strategy to develop renewable/low carbon fuels and contribute to achieving sustainability and recycling various wastes, in order to achieve economic growth. Its strategy aims at providing practical solutions for cleaner energy resulting from converted biomass via ECARU, one of the companies in which Qalaa Holdings invests. ECARU is already producing a number of products from agricultural waste, such as high-quality organic fertilizers and alternative solid fuel for cement factories (BDF), in line with Egypt's efforts to preserve the environment arid mitigate climate change. Over the past 15 years, the company contributed in the disposal and recycling for further use of 3.5 million tons of agricultural waste, thus reducing pollution by avoiding open burning. Axens licenses various processes in the field of renewable/low carbon fuels. Staffing from biomass to advanced bioethanol (Futurol®,) and then a further conversion into SAF (Jetanol TM). The French company is the single licensor for the full set of technologies and will support ECARU and Qalaa Holdings for this project. The signing ceremony took place on July 17 in the presence of French Ambassador to Egypt Marc Barety. "We are so proud to launch this cooperation with Axens for the production of second-generation biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass to promote global environmental sustainability, within the framework of our commitment to establishing high value-added export-oriented projects." Ahmed Heikal, chairman and founder or Qalaa, said. "Qalaa is significantly increasing its Investments in Egypt through the companies in which it invests by implementing high-value-added export-oriented projects. The timing now is ripe for such projects." For his part, Hesham Sherif, chairman of ECARU, said the company is looking forward to starting the financial and technical study of the project, and actual production within three years, over two phases. "The first phase shall involve the production of advanced bioethanol, while the second phase shall concern the production of sustainable aviation fuel. Such production is export-orientated to meet the growing needs of the global market." Sherif added. Jean Sentenac, president and CEO of Axens, said: "We are thrilled to support Qalaa Holdings and ECARU in their effort toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to what will be the first advanced bioethanol and SAF project in Egypt. I am proud that Futurol anti Jetanol will be the technological key stone of this project."
