Del Monte Kenya Limited seeks to add value to pineapple waste after it got the nod from Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to fully acquire Mananasi Fibre Limited (MFL).

CAK gave Del Monte the approval on condition that it will not affect competition for the production of textile-grade pineapple fibre, compost production, and biochar in Kenya.

“The Competition Authority of Kenya has approved the proposed acquisition of 100 per cent of the shares in Mananasi Fibre Limited by Del Monte Kenya Limited unconditionally, based on the finding that the transaction is unlikely to negatively impact competition in the markets for textile grade pineapple fibre, compost production, and biochar production in Kenya,” stated CAK in a statement.

“The integration of operations and subsequent scaling up of production are likely to create additional employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers,” stated CAK.

The competition authority indicated that it issued the approval after the two parties in the transaction met all the provisions of sections 2 and 41 of the Competition Act Cap 504.

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Mananasi Fibre Limited is a company specializing in waste management, especially the conversion of pineapple plant waste into valuable products.

“In addition, the transaction is unlikely to elicit negative public interest concerns,” CAK clarified.

MFL mainly engages in fibre extraction, compost production, as well as the manufacturing of biochar, which is a form of charcoal used to improve soil health and sequester carbon.

Other companies in Kenya which manufacture biochar for use in the local and foreign markets include Cookswell Jikos Limited, Biochar Life, Biosorra and Tera Carbon.

Pineapple is mainly grown in Kenya by large-scale producers like Del Monte, Kakuzi, and Ndemo Farm, which produce huge waste like leaves, stems, peels, pulp and rejected fruits.

The market for pineapple fibre as a sustainable alternative to traditional textiles and leathers is still emergent and has key players like Mananasi, Pine Kazi, and Eco Nasi.