Electra Wins $53 Million Contract for Pneumatic Waste System in Rehovot
Electra has secured a NIS 200 million (approximately $53 million) contract to establish and operate a pneumatic waste collection system in the city of Rehovot. This marks Electra's eighth project in this sector over the past five years, with previous wins including systems in Petah Tikva, Sde Dov in Tel Aviv, and other locations. The cumulative value of these projects, including the Rehovot contract, totals NIS 1.3 billion (approximately $347 million).
The new system will be installed and operated in the Kadm district, a new development planned for eastern Rehovot. This development spans approximately 2,230 dunams (about 550 acres) and is slated to include around 8,400 housing units, alongside commercial and employment areas, public buildings, educational institutions, a transportation hub, and a cemetery. Construction is expected to commence later this year.
Electra will design and build a pneumatic system featuring two separate terminals for the northern and southern sections of the neighborhood. Following construction, the company will be responsible for the system's operation for 12 years. Pneumatic waste systems offer an advanced alternative to traditional garbage collection by trucks. Residents deposit waste into designated chutes, with the refuse then transported via underground pipes to central collection points for processing or disposal. The system is centrally controlled and requires minimal human intervention beyond maintenance.
These systems are primarily suited for new developments, aligning with Electra's previous projects in areas like Petah Tikva's Sirkin West, Netanya's new Hof HaZahav neighborhood, and new districts in Tel Aviv. Electra's main competitors in this field include Shikun & Binui, through its subsidiary Rectech, and the Geon Group. Electra's CEO, Itamar Deutscher, highlighted the pneumatic waste sector as a growth engine for the company, fitting its strategy to expand in energy and environmental fields. Rehovot Mayor Matan Dila emphasized the project's role in advancing urban development with smart, sustainable infrastructure to enhance quality of life.
