Textile

• Under the agreement, De Smet has been entrusted with the project management and detailed engineering, including procurement assistance and CARBIOS partners’ management, to ensure the execution of the plant's construction in Longlaville, France, due for commissioning in 2025.
• Emmanuel Ladent, CEO of CARBIOS: “De Smet was selected after a comprehensive bidding process, and we are very confident in our successful cooperation.
• De Smet has an excellent track record in the engineering and management of complex industrial projects and has extensive experience in water-based technologies.
• We are thrilled to have been entrusted by CARBIOS with the construction of the plant and are fully committed to the success of this innovative project.”

• Founded in 1975, Ecowas is one of eight regional economic communities recognised by the African Union to foster regional integration on the continent.
• Its main objective is to create a single, large trading bloc through economic cooperation.
• Intra-regional trade remains well below the levels of other regions and the west African economies still rely a lot on informal activities.
• These networks have encouraged the development of informal trade between west African countries and prevented the implementation of trade facilitation initiatives.

The integration conundrum

• Subject to constant climatic uncertainties, it includes some of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.
• Sahelian countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger depend more on regional trade than coastal countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana or Nigeria.
• They tend to produce identical agricultural commodities, which they typically trade with other countries located on the Gulf of Guinea.
• Livestock trade between the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea is also highly dependent on free movement between west African countries.

The consequences

• Withdrawing from Ecowas is likely to have major consequences on the regional economy as a whole.
• Without free access to the ports of Cotonou, Lomé, Abidjan or Tema, Sahelian imports will be far more expensive.
• In addition, leaving Ecowas and its free movement protocol could have catastrophic consequences for millions of Sahelians who live in – or wish to migrate to – coastal cities.

Political motivations

• It is primarily motivated by the fact that the bloc’s approach to region-building is not confined to economic integration.
• Ecowas is also well-known for its robust involvement in peacekeeping and security operations to end conflict in the region.

Olivier Walther receives funding from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

• The region has been at the forefront of environmental initiatives and has well-established regulations and support for green technologies.
• Key players operating in the Green Polymer Market include BASF, Dow Chemical, Braskem, NatureWorks, Novamont, Indorama Ventures, Danimer Scientific, Teijin, Mitsubishi Chemicals, and BioAmber.
• These key players have been investing in research and development to develop innovative green polymers and expand their product portfolio.
• With North America leading the market and key players actively investing in research and development, the Green Polymer Market is expected to experience steady growth in the coming years.

• Leading research center in textiles, European Center for Innovative Textiles (CETI) in France, confirms that circular material cycora® is on par with virgin materials, exceeds quality standards of recycled materials.
• Leading textile research center, confirms circular material, cycora® exceeds quality standards of recycled materials.
• Introduced in 2021 by Ambercycle, a trailblazer in material science, cycora® uses end-of-life textiles as feedstock for new high-performance circular polyester.
• cycora® material is a noteworthy contributor to the industry and is establishing a new standard for recycled materials."