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Ecoslops, a technology company that upgrades ship-generated hydrocarbon residues (also known as 'slops') into marine fuels and light bitumen, has announced the signing of a long-term XFO (light bitumen) supply contract with Soprema.

Soprema is a leader in Europe's bituminous membrane market for the isolation industry and had a turnover of EUR 2.13 billion in 2015 with more than 6,260 employees in 40 plants.

Commenting on the development, Vincent Favier, CEO, Ecoslops, said: "We have worked with Soprema since our first plant in the Port of Sinès opened, and the agreement of this contract marks a major step for Ecoslops. This partnership reflects not only the quality of our products, but also the trust that has been built between our companies. This contract will allow us to anticipate the volume and price of approximately 30 percent of our total sales for several years. In addition, the fuels produced have also found commercial opportunities with various traders and industrial companies."

The light bitumen (XFO) is the heaviest cut of Ecoslops' production. "It has very good technical characteristics for the isolation industry (building, construction) and its market has the benefit of often being local," Ecoslops said.