Press Cane turns waste into opportunity with K10 billion plant as court dismisses K6.6 billion claim

Communities in Chikwawa may soon see relief and renewed hope as Press Cane Limited rolls out a K10 billion waste-to-fertilizer plant, a development expected to curb pollution risks while turning industrial waste into a resource that can boost agricultural productivity and local livelihoods.

Ethanol distiller Press Cane Limited says it has completed a K10 billion processing facility designed to convert industrial waste into organic fertilizer, a move the company believes will transform a long-standing environmental concern into economic value for surrounding communities.

The development comes as the High Court has struck out a K6.6 billion lawsuit filed by medical doctor Steve Kamiza and 56 others, who accused the company of causing damage to crops and farmland after waste allegedly spilled from its evaporation ponds.

Press Cane Chief Executive Officer Bryson Mkhomaanthu said the company has taken decisive steps to address environmental risks and prevent future incidents.

“We welcome the decision of the High Court in this case because indeed, while we acknowledge that there was spillage of waste, it was not done in bad faith. We have just completed construction of a landmark MK10 billion processing facility that will convert waste into organic fertilizer, transforming legacy waste streams into productive value,” said Mkhomaanthu.

He added that the company has rolled out an aggressive remedial programme focused on compliance and environmental protection, including structural upgrades to effluent ponds, tighter waste management controls, and improved treatment systems aimed at significantly reducing the risk of future spillages.

Mkhomaanthu said the new facility represents a shift in how the company manages waste, positioning it as a resource that can support agriculture and livelihoods.

“The Company maintains that these interventions will not only eliminate future spillage risks, but also convert what was once viewed as an environmental liability into a sustainable economic asset that creates value for local communities, agriculture, and the wider economy,” he said.

In its ruling, High Court Judge Justice Allan Hans Muhome said the claim could not proceed due to lack of evidence that Press Cane acted in bad faith.

The court relied on Section 19 of the Environmental Management Act (2017), which provides legal protection to entities operating under lawful authority, provided their actions are done in good faith.

“This Court agrees… that the protection under Section 19 extends to private enterprises like the Defendant (Press Cane),” ruled Justice Muhome.

He further noted that the claimants failed to demonstrate bad faith in relation to the alleged spill, making the case legally unsustainable.

“The claim cannot proceed without proof of bad faith,” the ruling stated. The court also declined to revise its earlier interpretation of the law and ordered that each party should bear its own legal costs.

Press Cane, which has been operating in Chikwawa since 2004, produces ethanol for fuel and industrial use, supplying both the domestic and export markets.

The case follows months of concern from communities and environmental authorities over effluent spillages, which had raised questions about environmental safety and corporate accountability.