Training at the heart of the project

Nine young university graduates work every day in the Naipenda Comoros workshop in Chitsangani. The project’s goal is to transform plastic waste into fuel, gas, and crude oil using an innovative pyrolysis process.**

The team is also interested in other forms of recovery: recycled plastic is transformed into bricks and planks. The workshop employs ten people, and Clément Robert is managing the project.

The plastics go through several stages: sorting, washing, cutting, grinding, and weighing. Some of the aggregates go directly to fuel production, while the rest is stored for export. Clément Robert explains that plastic costs between 25 and 50 francs per kilo depending on the type, and that some bottles are kept for future projects. The workshop operates with a shredder, an extruder, and a pyrolysis machine built from reclaimed parts.

Every day, 25 kilos of plastic are transformed into 25 liters of fuel, gas, and wax for candle making. The gas produced powers the machine, and the crude oil is sent to a local partner specializing in ylang-ylang distillation.

Mounya Kamardine, responsible for sorting and grinding, emphasizes: “This work generates income and contributes to environmental protection. The team works closely together, and the project is truly motivating.” “This activity enhances skills while having a positive impact on the planet, despite some criticism,” added technician Toiyfati Mohamed.

Ibrahim Ahmed, a mathematics graduate, oversees the pyrolysis process. Protected by a fire-resistant suit, gloves, and goggles, he places the crushed plastic in the machine, which is heated to 450°C for two and a half hours. The fuel, gas, and wax produced supply the workshop or are sent to external partners.

According to him, this initiative offers a concrete opportunity to put knowledge into practice while proposing a sustainable solution to plastic waste.

The workshop faces several constraints: limited machinery, water and electricity interruptions, and insufficient funding. Clément Robert explains that the team is developing a more efficient model and considering expanding the premises, gradually moving forward with conviction.