Modernization of a Moroccan couscous production line

ARZAK, is a leading pasta and couscous manufacturer located in the region of Casablanca. The company produces several types of couscous under the TRIA brand. Facing increasing electricity bills and strong competition in the Moroccan market, the company approached MorSEFF for the technical evaluation and financing of the modernisation of its couscous production line.

The MorSEFF team assessed the project feasibility for the facility funding and reported the investment outcomes mainly in terms of productivity and energy efficiency.

The € 899,968 eligible investment is dedicated to the replacement of the old production line (with a capacity of 1 500 kg/hour) by a new, modern and more efficient one (1 800 kg/hour) that has increased the production by 39%. The new line has generated a productivity gain of 2.7 million MAD/year due to a production increase of 11,000 tons/year.

In addition, the energy consumption has decreased by 3.8 GWh/ year which represent a reduction of the electrical energy consumption by 47.4% and of thermal energy by 24.7% compared to the baseline. CO2 emissions have decreased by 1,247 tons/year.

The resulting payback period of this investment is estimated at 2.2 years.

For the successful implementation of the energy efficiency project, Arzak was awarded a €89,968 grant, representing 10% of the loan amount.

Morocco Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (MorSEFF) was developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in cooperation with the French Agency for Development (AFD), The European Investment Bank and the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and supported by the European Union and the multi-donor account SEMED.