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Arch Invest & Management, a prominent Cypriot company, is moving forward with plans for a new, integrated olive oil bottling and table olive processing plant in Paphos, Cyprus. The project, which has received the necessary approval from the Environmental Authority, signifies a significant expansion of the company's agricultural processing capabilities.
The new facility will be located within the administrative boundaries of Agia Varvara, Paphos District, specifically on a government industrial plot in the '2nd Industrial Area of Paphos'. This strategic location is notable as it is only 50-60 meters from Arch Invest & Management's existing olive pressing unit, which has been operational since 2005. The company has also been actively involved in the bottling, distribution, and marketing of extra virgin olive oil since 2016. In 2023, the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry granted the industrial plot to facilitate this expansion and potentially relocate the existing bottling unit.
The proposed plant will feature a comprehensive suite of modern machinery designed to meet all European Union specifications for food processing equipment. For olive oil bottling, the unit will include semi-automatic labeling machines for both cylindrical and square bottles, alongside an automatic labeling system capable of handling cylindrical, square glass bottles, and PET plastic bottles ranging from 250ml up to 1 liter.
For table olive processing, the facility will be equipped with an olive receiving hopper and washing pump, a conveyor belt with buckets for transporting washed olives to the destemming machine, a destemming machine for stem removal, another conveyor belt with bins for feeding a size-sorting machine, and a vibrating olive feeder for the weighing machine. Supporting infrastructure includes an office, dining room/kitchen, and storage room totaling 35.40 square meters, as well as changing rooms and sanitary facilities for men, women, and disabled access, spanning 31.80 square meters.
According to the environmental study and a detailed technical and economic assessment, the total investment for machinery and building facilities is estimated at approximately €450,000, rendering the project economically viable. Construction is anticipated to conclude within approximately 18 months, assuming no unforeseen significant obstacles.
The project is aligned with the Cypriot government's strategic initiatives to promote agricultural product processing. It is eligible for special incentives, including subsidies of up to 50% for building construction and machinery acquisition, under the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy – Intervention AA 4.2 (2023-2027, Announcement 2025, 'Processing and/or Marketing of Agricultural Products'). This state support underscores the government's interest and the importance it places on industrial units of this nature, facilitating Arch Invest & Management's objective to enhance and expand its long-standing expertise in the sector.
Source: CBN.com.cy