Catalan company applies for Syrian chemical weapon destruction contract without City Council approval

Martorell (CNA) – The SITA Ibérica company, with headquarters in Martorell, near Barcelona, is one of the fourteen companies selected by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to destroy the 500 tons of chemical weapons from Syria. This was made clear when the OPCW presented the fourteen candidates in the Hague earlier this month. However, the City Council of Martorell rejected the bid the following day. The City Council said it would oppose “with all resources at its disposal” to prevent these Syrian chemical weapons from either being treated or destroyed in the town. Also the City Council regretted that it had not been informed at any time by SITA Ibérica’s decision to submit its petition to the OPCW tender.The winner or winners of the contest will be named in early February by the UN body, which is responsible for the destruction of the weapons.

Besides SITA Ibérica, companies from France, United Kingdom, China, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Switzerland and the United States have all applied to be considered as candidates. SITA Ibérica was the only company from Catalonia on the list of 40 initial applicants. 14 companies have finally been pre-selected.

Tarragona could be the destination for chemical weapons destruction

SITA Ibérica also joins forces with Grecat, an incinerator which is situated in Constantí, near Tarragona. According to Martorell-based company, this could be the site of a large amount of chemical weapon destruction.