KEO has received approval from the Cyprus Department of Environment to construct a new production complex in Kato Polemidia, Limassol. The investment is estimated at €25 million. The plant will include production and bottling lines for alcoholic beverages and natural juices, as well as a distribution centre. The total land area is 62,335 m2, of which around 44,000 m2 will be occupied by production and auxiliary facilities.
The complex will be located in the Βα4-ΒΕ economic activity zone. On the eastern side of the site there is a green area adjoining the road leading to Limassol Port. The location also provides convenient access to port infrastructure and major transport routes. The nearest residential building is located approximately 70 m from the planned construction site.
According to the reasoned opinion issued by the environmental authority, a full environmental impact assessment is not required. The expected impacts were considered environmentally insignificant and manageable, provided that the proposed mitigation measures are implemented. Construction of the new industrial complex is expected to be completed approximately 24 months after earthworks and construction begin.
What will be produced at the new facility
The estimated production capacity of the complex will be 4,975 tonnes per year. The main product categories will be distributed as follows:
- juices in Tetra Pak packaging — 2,550 tonnes;
- juices in metal cans — 165 tonnes;
- juices in PET bottles — 250 tonnes;
- wines and spirits in bottles — 870 tonnes;
- wines in BIB and Tetra Pak packaging — 1,140 tonnes.
Between 1,000 and 2,500 tonnes of wine will be transported to the facility from KEO’s winery in Malia. It will be processed, aged and bottled at the new plant. Only wine and grape pomace will be used for the production of zivania. Grapes themselves will not be received or processed directly at the new facility.
In addition to local raw materials, the plant will also receive imported ingredients. These will be used in the production of wines and spirits.
The project also includes storage facilities for beer and imported products. A full range of production processes is planned to take place at the complex, including preparation of natural concentrated juices for packaging, blending and filtration of wines and spirits, cooling for the stabilisation of tartaric salts, pasteurisation where required, distillation of zivania and ouzo, ageing of wines, Commandaria and Eau de Vie in barrels, as well as bottling and packaging of finished products.
Wastewater treatment and solar energy
An important part of the project will be an on-site secondary biological wastewater treatment plant. Its designed capacity will be m3 per day. Wastewater from the washing of tanks, equipment, pipelines and production floors, as well as water from the regeneration of the demineralisation unit, will be treated there. After treatment, the water is planned to be discharged into the sewerage network of the Limassol Local Government Organisation. A 600 kW photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof of the new complex. According to the project, its use is expected to reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.
A separate system for managing production waste is also planned. Vinasse and grape pomace will be transferred to licensed facilities for energy recovery. Hazardous liquid waste generated during equipment maintenance and laboratory operations will be collected separately and stored in sealed containers in specially designated areas. It will then be transferred to licensed organisations for further management and disposal.
The new complex will become one of KEO’s major industrial investments in Limassol and will allow the company to combine production, bottling, storage and distribution operations at a single site.