ANGOLA – IMEX, the industrial unit of Angola’s leading player in soft commodities and FMCG sector, Webcor, is weaving a new thread through Angola’s industrial fabric with opening of new US$9.5 million raffia bag processing unit.

Having launched its woven polypropylene raffia bag production line in 2019 and doubling production after a year to meet demand, IMEX has tripled its production capacity with the opening state-of-the art facility as it gears up to become sub-Saharan Africa’s largest raffia bag manufacturer.

The produced Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC) are used for transportation and storage of foods, agricultural goods, fertilizers, and other items.

With a production capacity of 60 million bags a year and 70% coverage of current market needs, IMEX eyes the export market after covering all the needs of home market.

As countries begin or continue to boost local production and processing of commodities generally exported in their raw state, packaging plays an increasingly vital and integral role in the supply chain.

“Packaging plays a crucial role in protecting and preserving the product from harmful rays, dust or moisture during transportation and storage.

“From all types of packaging requirements to personalizing your bags with your logos, we can create exactly the solution you need for your business,” said IMEX Business Development Manager Saleed Salameh. 

Industrial development not only strengthens a country’s industrial fabric but has a knock-on effect across human development and quality of life.

IMEX’s investments in innovation and improvements at its production facilities increase overall labour productivity and lower prices, leading to higher real incomes and sustainable job creation, underscoring the company’s importance in the economic landscape.

Meanwhile, IMEX’s sister company, Grandes Moagens de Angola, recently completed construction of the first phase of its wheat flour mill in Lobito.

According to Webcor, construction of Lobito mill began in November 2018 and included the reconstruction of a colonial-era silo, installation of new metal silos, and cleaning and transportation equipment.

The silos, with a total storage capacity of 66,000 tons of grain, can unload grain ships at up to 300 tons per hour and perform pre-cleaning at 150 tons per hour.

In addition, the plant is prepared for loading trucks and railway wagons to close the logistics loop and is ready to increase its storage capacity by another 16 thousand tons in the future.

The new processing facility is an addition to its wheat mill located at the heart of Luanda’s port, featuring state of art machinery with a processing capacity of 1,200 tons of wheat/day.

Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE