USTDA Grant Supports Recycling and Clean Energy in Ukraine

(USTDA) KYIV, UKRAINE – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is supporting increased recycling and clean energy development in Sumy, Ukraine, through a grant awarded yesterday to SVIT-M, a Ukrainian private municipal waste recycling company.

U.S. Ambassador John Tefft signed the $350,000 grant agreement at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv with Mr. Sergii Shevchenko, Director of SVIT-M. The signing was witnessed by the Head of the Sumy Oblast State Administration, Mr. Yuriy Chmyr, and the Commercial Attaché of the U.S. Embassy, Ms. Cheryl Dukelow. The USTDA grant will partially fund a feasibility study on a project to recycle municipal waste from Sumy, Ukraine and convert most of the remaining waste into refuse-derived fuel.

As Ukraine works to reduce the amount of waste that is landfilled and lessen the environmental impact of its energy production, the country is pursuing ways to increase recycling and usage of renewable fuels. While the city of Sumy participates in Ukraine's waste-reduction efforts, it has awarded a contract to SVIT-M to recycle the city's municipal waste. SVIT-M will also convert much of the remaining waste into a renewable fuel that can be sold to feed boilers.

SVIT-M is co-funding the feasibility study, which will include the development of a conceptual design, a business model and all finance documentation needed to implement the waste-to-energy project. The project is also expected to create substantial export opportunities for U.S. companies involved in areas such as materials handling, dryers, eddy current separators, and processed fuel production equipment.

In commenting on the feasibility study, USTDA Director Leocadia I. Zak said, "USTDA is pleased to partner with SVIT-M and the city of Sumy on their recycling and clean energy development goals. When implemented, the project will provide a positive economic and environmental impact, while being mutually beneficial to the Ukraine and the United States."

Following the grant signing, SVIT-M will select a U.S. contractor to complete the feasibility study. The opportunity to conduct the USTDA-funded technical assistance activity will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. A link to the FBO announcement will be posted to USTDA's website at www.ustda.gov. Interested U.S. firms should submit proposals according to the instructions in the FBO announcement.