On Thursday, June 18, 2026, a significant milestone in industrial innovation was reached with the inauguration of a biochar production facility in Attinguié. Located within the PK 31 industrial zone on the outskirts of Abidjan, this new unit represents a major advancement for the agricultural sector in Côte d’Ivoire.

Spearheaded by the Valency International group, this industrial project is designed to repurpose cashew shells. Once treated as mere production waste, these shells are now being converted into high-value resources tailored for the energy and industrial markets.

A strategic leap for the cashew industry

The opening ceremony was headed by Kalil Konaté, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Crafts. He was accompanied by a delegation of administrative officials, institutional leaders, and various technical partners who gathered to witness the launch of this pioneering facility.

Recognized as the first large-scale commercial unit in Africa dedicated to producing biochar from cashew residues, the plant has the capacity to process approximately 20,000 tons of cashew shells annually. This operation is projected to generate roughly 6,000 tons of biochar, while also producing biofuel and clean energy through specialized technology focused on agricultural byproduct recovery.

According to the project developers, this innovation is set to drastically reduce waste within the cashew industry. Furthermore, it creates fresh economic prospects within this vital sector of the national economy.

“We are witnessing the evolution of agricultural byproducts into strategic industrial resources,” stated Minister Kalil Konaté. He praised the investment for its role in fostering local value addition and supporting a more sustainable industrial framework.

Commitment to a circular economy

Following the formal ceremony, the Minister toured the new installations alongside executives from Valency International and Revata Carbon. During the visit, he reiterated the government’s dedicated support for innovative industrial projects that drive job creation and economic expansion.

As the world’s leading producer of raw cashew nuts, Côte d’Ivoire is steadily advancing its strategy to boost local processing and maximize the economic benefits of the crop. This new biochar facility strengthens the country’s ambition to establish a high-performance processing industry while integrating the principles of a circular economy by utilizing every part of the cashew fruit.

This infrastructure not only provides new avenues for the cashew value chain but also confirms the determination of Ivorian authorities to make industrial transformation a primary engine for long-term economic development.