The Sugar Company of Ivory Coast (SUCAF-CI), a sugar subsidiary of the Somdia group, the agro-industrial branch of the giant Castel, inaugurated on May 7, 2026, the operation of a state-of-the-art industrial distillery in Ferkessédougou, in northern Ivory Coast.
Located in the Ferké 2 sugar complex, the project, based on a circular economy approach, aims to locally transform by-products from sugar cane, especially molasses, into extra-neutral alcohol with a purity level equal to or greater than 96%. Intended for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, this new unit strengthens the national value chain by substituting local production for massive imports.
The total investment made for this infrastructure amounts to $30 million and allows for an annual production capacity of 12 million liters of food alcohol. This industrial performance alone covers nearly 50% of the national market needs, thus halving the country’s dependence on external markets. In addition, the plant generates 650,000 liters of technical alcohol for the needs of manufacturing industries, positioning SUCAF-CI as a key player in West Africa.
“In addition to production, the site integrates a major ecological dimension through the treatment of industrial residues. The establishment of an 8,000 cubic meter lagoon basin ensures the biological treatment of vinasse, which is then valorized as an organic fertilizer rich in potassium for plantations,” said the Minister of Agriculture, Sustainable Development, and Food Products. Alongside the Minister of Planning and Development, Souleymane Diarrassouba, he praised this agro-industrial approach that illustrates the company’s willingness to transform each by-product into a new resource, applying the principle that nothing is lost, everything is transformed.
Creation of a resilient economic fabric and transfer of technical skills
Energy transition is a central pillar of this complex thanks to the installation of a 4-megawatt solar field covering 4 hectares. Built at a cost of $3.33 million, this photovoltaic plant already provides 13% of the company’s energy needs, while avoiding the emission of over 1,246 tons of CO₂ since its launch.
“The distillery is not just an industrial tool, it is a societal project. By prioritizing young people, we are building a resilient economic fabric, rooted in local communities and oriented towards the future,” emphasized Anthony Ahiaba, Managing Director of SUCAF-CI.
For the Castel group, this investment also promotes direct synergies with its activities in the beverage sector, while securing the integration of its supplies.
This project serves as an essential social engine for the development of local communities and the integration of young Ivorians. According to the general management of SUCAF-CI, the distillery was designed as a societal project aimed at building a resilient economic fabric through the creation of sustainable jobs and the transfer of technical skills. By combining technological innovation and community engagement, the company is part of the country’s growth dynamic, while offering local industries a secure and transparent supply framework.
