Benin company recycles used cooking oil into soap and biofuel

AMAVI, a company based in Benin, collects and processes used cooking oil from hotels and restaurants to create soap and biofuel.

The company operates in Ouedo-Kpossidja, a locality about 40 km north of Cotonou, the economic capital of Benin. Carmel Djiha, the founder of AMAVI, says the company helps prevent health problems and environmental damage caused by improper oil disposal. More than 100 restaurant operators currently provide the waste oil to the company for processing.

AMAVI filters and settles the oil to remove water and solid materials before converting it into products for agricultural machinery and power generators. The company has partnered with the Chinese firm Henan Hengyong to receive technical training and processing equipment. AMAVI plans to industrialize its biodiesel production by 2030 to reach a daily output of more than three tonnes.