Ecoslops sustainability projects

The France-headquartered company will build and operate the La Mède ‘slops’ processing unit, while Total will provide services and utilities. The new fuels and light bitumen produced by the unit will be sold on local or international markets.

Vincent Favier, chairman and CEO of Ecoslops, declared: “Our objective is to contribute positively to the commercial attractiveness of the oil residue collection industry in the Port of Marseilles, encouraging strict traceability of slops, and creating sustainable markets for the industry players.”

The building of the unit is expected to start during the second quarter of 2018, and be operational by the end of 2018.

Ecoslops will also work with Antwerp Port Authority (ATPC), a subsidiary of VTTI group, to create a micro-refinery unit at ATPC’s site in the Port of Antwerp.

The micro-refinery unit will be designed to treat at least 60,000 tonnes of slops per year and is expected to enable the regeneration of collected residues in the ARA zone (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp) by local slops collectors.

Ecoslops said it will also enable shipowners to trace slops disposal and support long-term sustainability for the slops collection industry.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of ATPC, said; “Ecoslops enrolls itself in the commitment we have towards the values of the circular economy. The new micro-refinery unit is a next stepping stone for the sustainable vision we have for the port, and is thus a win for several parties.”

Ecoslops and ATPC aim to begin working together to facilitate detailed studies, building and operation permits by the end of this year.

Ecoslops opened a micro-refinery in the Port of Sines in Portugal at the end of 2015.