Angolan ethanol project gearing up for production

Angolan bioenergy company Companhia de Bioenergia de Angola (also known as Biocom) is expected to start ethanol and sugar production next year.

Biocom is the fruit of a partnership between the Angolan state (20% stake), Angolan group Damer (40%) and Brazilian group Obebrecht (40%). It is part of the Capanda agro-industrial hub.

Carlos Fernandes, chairman of Capanda agro-industrial hub management company Sociedade de Desenvolvimento do Pólo Agro-Industrial de Capanda, says the facility plans to process two million tonnes of sugarcane to make 30 million litres of ethanol and 260,000 tonnes of sugar. Biocom will also be able to produce electricity to the tune of 28MW/h.

Fernandes revealed the project received an overall investment of $197.5 million (€151.2 million).