E-cover scaling up tyre recycling in Senegal

Tyre recycler E-cover SAS has secured EUR 335 000 in backing to expand its operations in Dakar, Senegal.

The start-up, founded in 2015, has landed investments from various parties, including WIC Capital. The funds will support a new semi-industrial production unit in the Senegalese capital.

Home to 19 million people, Senegal generates around 60 000 end-of-life tyres per year. Lacking processing capacity and recycling legislation is still seeing the bulk of them landfilled or stockpiled.

Green turf

E-cover recycles end-of-life tyres into SBR for synthetic turf systems. It also produces granulates used as fuel by cement plants that want to cut fossil fuel use. Both products offer cost and carbon savings for local industry.

Company president Yaye Souadou Fall says: ‘The latest investment marks an important step in E-cover’s growth. The partnership with WIC Capital will help refine our business model in line with international standards.’

West African hub

Meanwhile, WIC Capital sees ‘strong potential’ in the recycler’s approach, which will help build a recovery sector in West Africa. It views E-cover as a strategic player able to meet rising demand for sustainable materials.

The updated facility is expected to ‘significantly’ increase capacity and improve product quality. Fall believes this will position her company to cater to not just the domestic market, but neighbouring countries as well.