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Zimbabwe's biodiesel output soars
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Biodiesel production in Zimbabwe is set for a major leap, with daily output expected to rise from 3 000 litres to 75 000 litres following the upgrading of Finealt Engineering's processing plant in Mutoko.
Located on the north-western fringes of Mutoko Centre, Finealt Engineering — a State-aided agency under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development — has been producing biodiesel from jatropha seeds since the early 2000s. The latest expansion demonstrates the Second Republic's drive towards rural industrialisation and the promotion of home-grown solutions under the Heritage-based 5.0 model.
The plant's completion is expected to create jobs, guarantee a secure market for local farmers, and reduce Zimbabwe's dependency on imported petroleum fuels. In addition to powering vehicles and heavy machinery, biodiesel can also serve as a solvent, lubricant additive, and eco-friendly cleaning agent.
Finealt Engineering acting chief executive officer, Patrick Mpala, confirmed that all necessary equipment had been installed, with production awaiting only the upgrading of the electricity supply by ZESA. "The equipment is there, installed and ready to go. What is now left is for ZESA to upgrade the electricity supply system so that it can power our upgraded system. Once that is done, production begins," he said.
Mpala added that while the company would continue sourcing jatropha seeds from local farmers, it is also developing its own plantations on a 3 000-hectare plot in Mudzi, which could be expanded to 6 000 hectares.
Beyond biodiesel, the Mutoko facility has diversified into bio-economy products including cooking oil, soaps, and detergents. The firm currently processes 20 tonnes of sunflower seeds daily, producing more than 5 000 litres of cooking oil that is already available in shops in Mutoko, Marondera, and Bindura. Recently, a new soap-making plant was installed with a capacity of producing 500 one-kilogram bars or 2 000 soap tablets per hour.
Employment opportunities have also expanded, with 69 locals already working at the Mutoko site. Finealt is simultaneously establishing a new plant in Chirumhanzu for cooking oil and stock feed production, further extending its rural industrialisation footprint.
To strengthen operations, Finealt has invested in four solar-powered boreholes that also supply nearby communities and is planning to set up a solar plant to mitigate potential power shortages.
The biodiesel project, first mooted in the early 2000s, reflects President Mnangagwa's emphasis on domestic solutions to national challenges. By cutting imports of key commodities such as fuel, cooking oil, soaps, and detergents, the initiative is expected to contribute to economic resilience and sustainable rural development.
Located on the north-western fringes of Mutoko Centre, Finealt Engineering — a State-aided agency under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development — has been producing biodiesel from jatropha seeds since the early 2000s. The latest expansion demonstrates the Second Republic's drive towards rural industrialisation and the promotion of home-grown solutions under the Heritage-based 5.0 model.
The plant's completion is expected to create jobs, guarantee a secure market for local farmers, and reduce Zimbabwe's dependency on imported petroleum fuels. In addition to powering vehicles and heavy machinery, biodiesel can also serve as a solvent, lubricant additive, and eco-friendly cleaning agent.
Finealt Engineering acting chief executive officer, Patrick Mpala, confirmed that all necessary equipment had been installed, with production awaiting only the upgrading of the electricity supply by ZESA. "The equipment is there, installed and ready to go. What is now left is for ZESA to upgrade the electricity supply system so that it can power our upgraded system. Once that is done, production begins," he said.
Mpala added that while the company would continue sourcing jatropha seeds from local farmers, it is also developing its own plantations on a 3 000-hectare plot in Mudzi, which could be expanded to 6 000 hectares.
Beyond biodiesel, the Mutoko facility has diversified into bio-economy products including cooking oil, soaps, and detergents. The firm currently processes 20 tonnes of sunflower seeds daily, producing more than 5 000 litres of cooking oil that is already available in shops in Mutoko, Marondera, and Bindura. Recently, a new soap-making plant was installed with a capacity of producing 500 one-kilogram bars or 2 000 soap tablets per hour.
Employment opportunities have also expanded, with 69 locals already working at the Mutoko site. Finealt is simultaneously establishing a new plant in Chirumhanzu for cooking oil and stock feed production, further extending its rural industrialisation footprint.
To strengthen operations, Finealt has invested in four solar-powered boreholes that also supply nearby communities and is planning to set up a solar plant to mitigate potential power shortages.
The biodiesel project, first mooted in the early 2000s, reflects President Mnangagwa's emphasis on domestic solutions to national challenges. By cutting imports of key commodities such as fuel, cooking oil, soaps, and detergents, the initiative is expected to contribute to economic resilience and sustainable rural development.
Source - The Herald
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