WILLEMSTAD – A local company, Falcon International BV, has applied for an environmental permit to establish a recycling facility for waste oil, sludge, and slops in the Buskabaai area of Curaçao’s harbor. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Public Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), marks a new step toward cleaner and more sustainable industrial practices on the island.
Falcon’s permit request, filed under Curaçao’s Nuisance Ordinance, outlines plans to operate an installation specifically designed for the processing of industrial waste materials, including used oil, engine sludge, and slops—a mixture of oil and water typically found in ship bilges.
Transformation of a Historical Industrial Zone
The proposed location, Buskabaai, lies northwest of the Schottegat and is historically significant as the site of the infamous “asphalt lake.” This lake was created during World War II when the former Shell refinery, under pressure to rapidly produce kerosene for Allied forces, dumped large volumes of residue—such as pitch, tar, and asphalt—into the area.
Today, Buskabaai remains one of Curaçao’s most contaminated industrial zones. However, efforts are underway to transform the site into a hub for renewable and sustainable activities. In 2024, Buskabaai director Ramses Martina told local media that the area is being cleaned and repurposed. Residual materials from the asphalt lake are being extracted with heavy machinery and processed for commercial use.
Public Review Process Underway
The Ministry has placed Falcon’s permit request, along with supporting documents and a draft license, on public display for a one-month consultation period. During this time, members of the public may submit written objections or feedback. The documents are available for review at the Environmental Management Office on Roodeweg in Colon, according to Gabriel Murray, Sector Director for Agriculture, Environment, and Nature at GMN.
Company Profile and Industry Background
Falcon International was founded in May 2019 and is based on Heintje Koolweg. Though originally registered with the Chamber of Commerce as a wholesale trader in ores, the company now aims to pivot toward waste oil management. According to Buskabaai’s Martina, Falcon plans to convert used oil into industrial-grade fuel, which could then be used to power machinery—an activity currently not offered by any company on the island.
The company is led by two Curaçao-born directors: Haithem Babetti and Jason José Debrot. Debrot has prior experience at state-owned energy company Curoil and is currently operations manager at Asphalt Lake Recovery NV, a firm involved in extracting and processing asphalt from the lake and handling petroleum-related products. Asphalt Lake Recovery is headed by Johannes Adrianus Jansen.
Filling a Void in Waste Processing
Falcon’s proposal comes at a critical time, as Curaçao continues to face challenges with industrial waste management following the decline of local refinery operations. For decades, the Isla refinery was the island’s main processor of such waste streams. The new facility, if approved, would represent a first-of-its-kind initiative to locally recycle waste oil and related materials for industrial reuse.
“This is about turning waste into product,” said Martina. “The oil that’s recovered will be refined into fuel suitable for heavy machinery. It’s a significant step for local sustainability and industrial innovation.”
The project, if greenlit, would not only support Curaçao’s environmental goals but also create new economic opportunities in the circular economy—transforming one of the island’s most polluted sites into a beacon of modern, eco-friendly industry.
