SOBICO – Société de Biomasse du Congo As in many African countries, charcoal is the most important cooking combustible in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). With an estimated population of over 10 million people, the Kinshasa area consumes 1 million tons of charcoal per year. Traditional methods of charcoal production are inefficient and lead to deforestation due to the need of large quantities of wood.This project aims to introduce the twin retort charcoal oven, transforming wood waste from the logging industry into high quality charcoal for the local market. In the long term the project aims to use wood from a plantation scheme, especially grown for charcoal making. The applicant is a holding company for different businesses in textiles, construction, logistics and management services, mainly focussed on Africa. The local partner is a company focussed on bore hole drilling and establishing water networks in DR Congo. Third partner Moors Ovenbouw B.V. is a Dutch specialist in developing and manufacturing of industrial ovens.The partners have established a joint venture and will build a charcoal production facility. The twin retort system is highly efficient and only uses 4 kg of wood for 1 kg of charcoal, while traditional production methods average 10 to 15 kg of wood for 1 kg of charcoal. This higher efficiency and the use of a plantation scheme will diminish the need for (illegal) cutting of bushes for charcoal production.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The project itself will follow international standards as much as possible, as the furnace will be designed in accordance with international health, safety and environmental regulations. Although, charcoal is a suboptimal fuel, this project improves the current production system considerably. Employment standards will be above national standards.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsEmployees will be offered fixed term contracts, to be transformed in permanent contracts and be paid at least 35% above local bench mark. Société de Forage du Congo sprl has good experience by doing so. Safe working conditions will be ensured by training staff.Extra benefits include reimbursement of medical expense, transport, lunch, temporary housing on site (if required), a year-end bonus scheme, interest free credits for educational or family purposes and HIV sensibilisation.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe product charcoal is not new or innovative, but the twin retort system is completely new to DR Congo and emissions will be much lower than in traditional charcoal making.•	Impact on the sectorThe project site will be open to anyone who is interested (commercial parties, NGOs etc), as the partners believe the market is big enough for other players to enter.•	EnvironmentThis way of charcoal production is far more efficient than the traditional production method as the ratio is 4:1 instead of 10:1 or 15:1.Less CO2 and toxic gases will be released into the air, as fumes are captured and used to fuel the central furnace.Using wood from a reforestation plantation will reduce (the growth rate of) illegal deforestation by traditional charcoal producers.The furnace will be certified according to European/NEN standards and the production site will be subject to an environmental and social impact assessment.•	Position of womenCharcoal production is not a working environment for women, but a fifth of the employees will be women, mainly in accounting, management and sales positions. Local retailers to be trained will also be mostly women.•	Impact on food safetyThe project may reduce, however moderately, the rate of increase in the charcoal price. Charcoal is used as a cooking combustible. Establishing a sustainable charcoal production facility using twin retort system technology, with an annual output of 2,000 tons per year for the local market.