South Africa : Metier invests in submarine cable recycling

Metier has chosen to work with Mertech Marine, an innovative company specializing in the recycling of decommissioned submarine cables, active on the African continent since 2004. Founded in 1998, Mertech Marine has built up a solid reputation in the recovery and recycling of this critical infrastructure.

This investment comes at a time when sustainability issues and the reduction of carbon emissions are becoming increasingly important.This commitment represents not only an economic asset for the company, but also a value-adding opportunity in the sector of recycled materials such as copper and steel. Alwyn du Plessis, Managing Director of Mertech, emphasized that the company expects to exploit “many opportunities through improved processes” in the recycling field.

The SubOptic Foundation’s January 2024 report highlights the importance of submarine cables, which carry over 99% of transoceanic data traffic via a global network of 1.4 million kilometers of cable. The report also revealed that the carbon footprint of submarine cables is relatively small compared to that of data centers, reinforcing the importance of recycling in this sector.

We are partnering with the Mertech team for its next phase of growth, at a time when the focus is increasingly on recycling metals and providing alternative sources of low-carbon materials,

said John Hannig, transaction manager for Metier, according to Afrive.info.

The recycling and recovery of submarine cables is a complex operation requiring considerable expertise and resources, particularly for interventions at sea. By investing in this sector, Metier is affirming its active commitment to the development of sustainable infrastructures and environmentally-friendly practices in Africa. Prior to this investment in Mertech Marine, Metier had already completed six other infrastructure deals, with companies such as Africa Ren, Broadreach, and Cape Town Biogas. These actions demonstrate Metier’s commitment to sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa.

The company’s investment in submarine cable recycling in South Africa is a major step forward for the sustainable infrastructure sector. Through its collaboration with Mertech Marine, it is not only responding to key environmental challenges, but also paving the way for a new era in the valorization of recycled materials, contributing to a more sustainable future for the region.