Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
7110
Company Name
Interfresh (Private) Limited
Date ESRS Disclosed
Feb 5, 2010
Country
Zimbabwe
Region
Africa
Last Updated Date
Dec 31, 2016
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Status
Completed
Previous Events
Approved : Jan 19, 1996
Signed : Jan 29, 1996
Invested : Apr 3, 1996
Sector
Fruit and Vegetable Preservation or Processing (Canning, Freezing, Drying, Jams, etc.)
Industry
Agribusiness and Forestry
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Africa
Project Description
- 2 - October 25, 1995
Environmental Review Summary (ERS)
Project Name Zimbabwe-Interfresh
Region Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector Agribusiness
Project No 007110
1. Interfresh was established as a family business in 1953 and has since been involved in processing, packaging and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables for over 700 farmers. The project is to expand Interfresh’s business by establishing a 1,500 tpa dehydrated vegetable plant for export production.
2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of information submitted by the project sponsor and the technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC’s Environmental Department staff. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of this project were analyzed:
· environmental policies;
· air emissions;
· liquid effluents;
· solid waste management;
· ambient noise control; and
· general employee training, health and safety.
Information provided on how these potential impacts would be addressed in the Interfresh project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
3. Interfresh has prepared a business plan with the objective of being awarded the ISO 9002 quality management certificate within two years of operation. Together with Interfresh’s general plans, this aim will help the company to keep a steady improvement trend in quality of product and environmental performance. The company has hired external assistance for formulation of an environmental policy and management system.
4. The new processing plant for dehydration of vegetables will be based on a belt drying system. The belt drying system requires a higher initial investment than other conventional drying systems but will reduce the energy consumption of the process with a factor of two. The reduced energy consumption will lead to similar lower fuel consumption. The fuel used at the facility will be local Zimbabwean coal with a relative high sulfur content. The plants boiler systems will be equipped with cyclones and scrubbers to clean the flue gases for compliance with both local requirements and World Bank guidelines.
5. At arrival to the processing plant, the vegetables will be washed, trimmed and sulfurized and blanched if necessary as preparation for the dehydration process. This preparation will result in a discharge of 900-1000 cubic meters of wastewater per day. This wastewater will contain vegetable particles and minor quantities of detergents and sulfurdioxide (375 grams per day). The preparation process wastewater will be treated by separation to remove vegetable waste and particulate. Domestic wastewater from the plant’s estimated 240 employees will be treated in septictank systems, and hereafter mixed with the pretreated process wastewater for use as irrigation water.
6. The solid waste from Interfresh will mainly consist of vegetable trimming losses (2500 tons per year) and separated vegetable waste from the wastewater separator (400 tons per year). This waste will be used as cattle feed. A further 400 tons per year of fine vegetable matter and soil from the wastewater separators will be used in land fertilization.
7. Noise emissions is not a major problem from the involved operations and noise levels will be kept within local requirements and World Bank guidelines for ambient noise.
8. All staff will be trained before startup of the plant and at regular intervals during the lifetime of the project. Personal protective equipment will be supplied where necessary and emergency plans are incorporated into the design of the plant. Work spaces will be ventilated and air-conditioned. New machinery will comply to European Union Norms regarding safety and noise. Old equipment will be upgraded to same standard. Hazardous chemicals will be stored separately and handled only by authorized personnel. A continuous health and safety training program will be initiated.
9. IFC will ensure ongoing compliance with World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by Interfresh, and by conducting periodic supervision.
10. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that Interfresh’s proposed project will meet World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines, and host country requirements.
Environmental Review Summary (ERS)
Project Name Zimbabwe-Interfresh
Region Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector Agribusiness
Project No 007110
1. Interfresh was established as a family business in 1953 and has since been involved in processing, packaging and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables for over 700 farmers. The project is to expand Interfresh’s business by establishing a 1,500 tpa dehydrated vegetable plant for export production.
2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of information submitted by the project sponsor and the technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC’s Environmental Department staff. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of this project were analyzed:
· environmental policies;
· air emissions;
· liquid effluents;
· solid waste management;
· ambient noise control; and
· general employee training, health and safety.
Information provided on how these potential impacts would be addressed in the Interfresh project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
3. Interfresh has prepared a business plan with the objective of being awarded the ISO 9002 quality management certificate within two years of operation. Together with Interfresh’s general plans, this aim will help the company to keep a steady improvement trend in quality of product and environmental performance. The company has hired external assistance for formulation of an environmental policy and management system.
4. The new processing plant for dehydration of vegetables will be based on a belt drying system. The belt drying system requires a higher initial investment than other conventional drying systems but will reduce the energy consumption of the process with a factor of two. The reduced energy consumption will lead to similar lower fuel consumption. The fuel used at the facility will be local Zimbabwean coal with a relative high sulfur content. The plants boiler systems will be equipped with cyclones and scrubbers to clean the flue gases for compliance with both local requirements and World Bank guidelines.
5. At arrival to the processing plant, the vegetables will be washed, trimmed and sulfurized and blanched if necessary as preparation for the dehydration process. This preparation will result in a discharge of 900-1000 cubic meters of wastewater per day. This wastewater will contain vegetable particles and minor quantities of detergents and sulfurdioxide (375 grams per day). The preparation process wastewater will be treated by separation to remove vegetable waste and particulate. Domestic wastewater from the plant’s estimated 240 employees will be treated in septictank systems, and hereafter mixed with the pretreated process wastewater for use as irrigation water.
6. The solid waste from Interfresh will mainly consist of vegetable trimming losses (2500 tons per year) and separated vegetable waste from the wastewater separator (400 tons per year). This waste will be used as cattle feed. A further 400 tons per year of fine vegetable matter and soil from the wastewater separators will be used in land fertilization.
7. Noise emissions is not a major problem from the involved operations and noise levels will be kept within local requirements and World Bank guidelines for ambient noise.
8. All staff will be trained before startup of the plant and at regular intervals during the lifetime of the project. Personal protective equipment will be supplied where necessary and emergency plans are incorporated into the design of the plant. Work spaces will be ventilated and air-conditioned. New machinery will comply to European Union Norms regarding safety and noise. Old equipment will be upgraded to same standard. Hazardous chemicals will be stored separately and handled only by authorized personnel. A continuous health and safety training program will be initiated.
9. IFC will ensure ongoing compliance with World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by Interfresh, and by conducting periodic supervision.
10. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that Interfresh’s proposed project will meet World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines, and host country requirements.
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
Broad Community Support
Related SII
