Business View Caribbean | February 2020

23 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN FEBRUARY 2020 ECOGAS FREE ZONE N. V . while at the same time helping Aruba to become less dependent on imported fuel. The gasification plant was projected to produce approximately two percent of the island’s total energy needs, and while the project is stalled at the moment due to mitigating circumstances, its ramp up to a full-scale operation in the future is still a key objective. Meanwhile, instead of gasifying the MSW (municipal solid waste), EcoGas is baling the non-hazardous waste and burying it in open pits. EcoTech has sufficient capacity to handle all of Aruba’s MSW, and when EcoGas is back in operation, the landfill can be rehabilitated and capped. The gas plant is touted as an ideal alternative for any island or remote community where there is no way of disposing of waste. It not only gets rid of the waste but also generates power at reasonable prices. The EcoGas team believes that in order to scale up and, someday, export the waste-to-energy technology that the company has initiated, it will need to partner with a larger entity in the waste and/or energy sectors. Due to MetaCorp’s geographical location and its presence in a multi-national and multi-lingual society, it is well-positioned to act as an intermediary between Aruba and any company looking to do business in the region. The technology and precedence with which EcoGas has operated has established it as a company that is forward thinking and ready to lead the Caribbean region, and perhaps even the global stage, as the world faces today’s sustainability challenges. Alfredo Ruiz accepted the position as Managing Director in June 2019 and is responsible for the daily operations and maintenance of EcoTech – the larger waste collection company of Aruba – as well as the daily management of EcoGas – the Aruba WSP (waste separation plant). The two companies have a combined total workforce of 85 people, many of whom are long-term employees with 30 or more years of service. “We treat the humans as our first priority,” says Ruiz. “That’s why they stay with us for such a