Inertam, a subsidiary of the French group Europlasma, has won a bid from the Algerian Society for Electricity and Gas Production (Sonelgaz) for the management of asbestos waste. This waste will result from the dismantling of the steam thermal power plant near the Djen Djen port in the city of Jijel, Algeria. The contract stipulates the handling of 7,000 tons of asbestos waste over the coming three years.
Following private sector entities in Algeria, the Algerian government has now placed trust in Inertam, a company specialized in vitrifying asbestos waste using plasma torch technology. The subsidiary of French group Europlasma will process the asbestos waste from the dismantling of the steam thermal power plant in Jijel. Inertam was selected in July 2023, after a tendering process initiated by Sonelgaz. To respond to the call for interest, Inertam partnered with a consortium of Algerian companies consisting of Giant General Service, the Company for Hydraulic Works and Environmental Protection (ETHPE), and Sogeb Decontamination.
Inertam will be responsible for collecting and reprocessing the asbestos waste from the Djen Djen steam thermal power plant. This waste will then be transported to Inertam’s plant in Morcenx-la-Nouvelle, France, for vitrification within six months of its reception at the site, “in compliance with the standards of the Basel Convention.”
The goal is to handle 7,000 tons of asbestos waste in three years, correlating to total revenue of nearly 15 million euros, “adjustable depending on the actual tonnage and the typology of the waste received,” states Europlasma.
Inertam’s extremely high-temperature process destroys the toxicity of asbestos waste, converting it into an inert and valuable material called Cofalit. This byproduct is utilized for energy storage in solar power plants. For reference, the company has a yearly authorization to treat 8,000 tons of asbestos waste from over 160 countries that are signatories to the Basel Convention.
The project goes beyond the development of the “hazardous waste treatment sector in Algeria.” There is also a critical focus on environmental conservation and public health protection. Inhaled asbestos waste can reach the lung alveoli, leading to severe illnesses. Asbestos fibers can also contaminate the environment through natural and human-made paths. This new contract follows the signing of cooperation agreements with Algerian companies NCC Environment and SO.GE.B.ZRITA for the collection, transportation, and treatment of specialized waste.
The Inertam contract represents a significant stride towards the responsible handling of dangerous waste in Algeria and reflects broader efforts to uphold global environmental standards and protect human health.