Italian industrial group Pieralisi is planning to establish a center of excellence and innovation in Tunisia, aimed at serving the African market. The project, presented by Pieralisi CEO Aldino Zeppeli, involves collaboration with the Italian Ambassador to Tunisia, Alessandro Prunas, and Bernard Prevete, director of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE). This new hub is expected to leverage Tunisia's existing industrial ecosystem and Pieralisi's local expertise.
Pieralisi has been present in Tunisia since 2007 and now seeks to expand its activities, develop local skills, and facilitate technology transfer. The envisioned center would serve as a regional base to support Pieralisi's expansion into other African markets. This strategic move could transform Tunisia's role in Pieralisi's operations from just a market for its equipment to a base that combines Italian industrial expertise, Tunisian skills, and African technological needs.
The planned innovation center would not be limited to the olive oil sector. Discussions have explored applications of Pieralisi's Separation Systems Division (SSD) in other agro-food and industrial activities. Potential areas include wastewater treatment and sludge management from industrial and agro-food processes. This expansion aims to utilize expertise developed in the olive oil industry to address a broader range of technological needs.
The proposed "Pieralisi Africa Excellence & Innovation Center" would encompass innovation, training, industrial services, competency transfer, and technology adaptation for various African markets. While the project is still in the conceptual phase, Pieralisi is working to strengthen ties with Tunisian enterprises and the Italian industrial ecosystem to identify suitable partners.
The project aligns with the Mattei Plan, which promotes economic cooperation between Italy and Africa through investment, training, competency development, and technology transfer. The Italian Trade Agency (ICE) has expressed willingness to facilitate this initiative. Pieralisi's expansion plans emphasize the importance of developing local technical competencies to support both its growth and the regional economy.
The envisioned center would progressively integrate various activities, including innovation, training, and industrial services. This strategic development is expected to enhance Pieralisi's presence in Tunisia and create a skilled workforce capable of supporting its regional expansion. The project is part of a broader strategy to diversify Pieralisi's activities beyond olive oil production.
While the investment has not been finalized, Pieralisi is optimistic about the potential for collaboration with local and international partners. The company believes that establishing a strong presence in Tunisia will enable it to effectively serve the African market and capitalize on emerging opportunities in various sectors.
Key points
- Pieralisi plans to establish an innovation center in Tunisia to serve African markets.
- The center will focus on developing local skills and facilitating technology transfer.
- The project aligns with Italy's Mattei Plan for economic cooperation with Africa.
