Tunisian Environment Ministry Announces Major PCB Removal Initiative
Tunis, 2 September 2025 – Youssef Zaidi, Director of Industrial Environment at the Ministry of the Environment, warned on Tuesday that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – a hazardous substance primarily found in legacy electrical transformers – are “extremely dangerous.” PCBs accumulate in the human body and can travel long distances through water, air, or soil. Their concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm).
International Framework
Speaking on the TV program “Youm Saïd,” Zaidi explained that the international community has adopted the Stockholm Convention to encourage countries to safely eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and prevent their reuse. Tunisia has joined this effort and is now seeking foreign financing to help local industries dispose of PCBs by exporting them to developed nations for proper treatment.
A Six‑Month, 400‑Tonne Project
Zaidi announced that the ministry has launched a project to collect and treat 400 tonnes of PCBs. The plan includes:
| Phase | Partner | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Site Inspection | Dutch company selected by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) | Conduct on‑site surveys at each factory to quantify PCB stocks and identify the most effective intervention methods |
| Treatment & Disposal | Spanish company | Process and safely eliminate the collected PCBs |
The entire collection, transport, and export process is slated to be completed within six months, i.e., by the end of March 2026.
Companies & Entities Involved
The following Tunisian firms and public bodies are part of the initiative:
- Tunisian Chemical Group
- Gafsa Phosphate Company
- Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG)
- El Fouladh Plant
- Various cement factories
- National Alfa Paste and Paper Company (Kasserine)
- Multiple private industrial companies
- Ministries of Agriculture, Higher Education and Scientific Research, among others
Call to Action for Industry
Zaidi urged industrial operators to actively participate in the program, facilitate PCB collection, and cooperate with foreign experts to accelerate the removal process.
Additional Sources of PCBs
He also reminded listeners that PCBs can be found in small quantities within certain flame‑retardant insulating materials and fire‑resistant plastics.
Keywords: polychlorinated biphenyls, PCB, Tunisia, Stockholm Convention, persistent organic pollutants, UNEP, environmental cleanup, industrial waste, PCB removal project, foreign financing, environmental health.
