Egypt to turn palm waste into fuel and industrial wood
Egypt is launching a green initiative to transform palm waste into alternative fuel and industrial wood products, in a bid to cut emissions and boost climate investment.
The move was announced following talks between Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad and New Valley Governor Mohamed El-Zamlout, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, reported by Daily News Egypt.
Home to nearly five million palm trees, the New Valley Governorate generates large volumes of palm frond waste annually. Authorities are now targeting this biomass as a resource for sustainable manufacturing and clean energy.
Minister Fouad noted that the Environment Ministry is actively promoting climate-conscious investment by converting waste into economic assets. A new unit has been established to link investors with green project opportunities, including bioenergy ventures.
El-Zamlout confirmed that the governorate has signed a cooperation agreement with the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation and European partners to build a €70 million factory for producing medium-density fibreboard (MDF) from palm residues.
Shredded palm fronds are also being considered as an alternative fuel source for Egypt’s cement industry, one of the country’s major greenhouse gas emitters. Officials aim to attract specialised companies to invest in processing facilities that would reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Countries across Africa and Asia are increasingly turning palm waste into a valuable resource for clean energy and industrial production.
In Malaysia, government-backed projects in collaboration with Japan are converting palm trunks into biofuel pellets and fiberboards for construction and furniture. The country also produces medium-density fibreboard (MDF) from palm shells and empty fruit bunches, meeting international export standards.
Cameroon is exploring similar waste-to-energy models, with studies highlighting the potential to repurpose over 200,000 tonnes of palm byproducts annually into fuel and fertiliser.
These efforts are part of a broader shift toward circular economy practices, where agricultural waste is transformed into renewable energy and sustainable materials, offering both environmental benefits and economic opportunity.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
