Going black before going green
HIDDEN in the labyrinth of Stung Meanchey province’s factories, the Sustainable Green Fuel Enterprise (SGFE) found a cleaner way to produce charcoal: from coconut shells and industry leftovers. It is still one of the principal sources of energy for cooking in urban areas. Chief Executive Carlo Figà Talamanca runs his fingers through the black dust as he explains the production process. Resources – shells and burned wood from a neighbouring factory’s gasifiers – are numerous, but the output is still low due to the factory’s small capacity. … The so-called char-briquettes, which cost 1,100 riel per kilogram, burn between two and five hours and produce less smoke. According to Talamanca, they also contribute to the reduction of deforestation, saving “over 2,000 trees per year [or 10 hectares of natural rainforest] leading to a reduction of 1,250 tonnes per year of CO2 emissions.” …
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/2013030661774/Business/going-black-before-going-green.html
