Sappi aims to launch pilot plant for nanocellulose solution by end-2015

Pulp and paper producer Sappi and the UK’s Edinburgh Napier University have discovered a new low-cost process to make nanocellulose, following a three-year partnership, with Sappi planning to build... 

Strong demand forecast for diamonds, but access to finance a concern

The diamond industry can expect a strong demand outlook in future; however, access to diamond financing – especially for traders, cutters, polishers and jewellery manufacturers – could hinder... 

Electronics group aims to ramp up SA television assembly

Electronics company LG South Africa expected to increase its manufacturing output to 320 000 units by 2015 at its Johannesburg manufacturing facility – the only one in South Africa – said LG... 

New programme seeks youth-employment remedy in education

The Deutsche Bank South Africa Foundation launched its Born To Be programme in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, last month to help tackle youth unemployment in South Africa. 

Pipes manufacturer enters into BEE deal

Glass fibre reinforced pipes (GRP) manufacturer Fiberpipe recently entered into a black economic-empowerment (BEE) deal with a new BEE company to help grow the business.  

Strong diamond growth forecast, but funding access could pose threat

The diamond industry can expect a strong demand outlook in future; however, access to diamond financing – especially for traders, cutters, polishers and jewellery manufacturers – could hinder... 

Govt rolls out streamlined licensing process to enhance mining competitiveness

Government on Monday rolled out its One Environmental System to streamline licensing processes for mining, environmental authorisations and water use.  

Stator rewind puts DRC power station back in action

Integrated electrical and mechanical services provider Marthinusen & Coutts has successfully completed the critical stator rewind for the N’Zilo hydroelectric power station in the Katanga province... 

KZN the lowest-paying province, survey finds

KwaZulu-Natal is the lowest-paying province in South Africa, while salaries in the other eight provinces are relatively competitive.  

New book provides comprehensive guide to South Africa’s IP law

Specialist intellectual property (IP) law firm Spoor & Fisher in collaboration with the Anton Mostert Chair of IP at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, launched its new IP textbook, titled Dean... 

R600m in debt funding set aside for small-scale power project

Specialist black-owned fund manager Mergence Investment Managers and the State-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will support ten small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) bidders with... 

Chinese technology group views South Africa as ‘dynamic’ growth market

The local information and communication technology (ICT) industry is experiencing dynamic growth, as well as a multitude of significant changes to address trends such as bring your own device and... 

Chinese manufacturers seek new buyers at this year’s sourcing fair

The fifth yearly China Sourcing Fair (CSF) was held at Nasrec, in Johannesburg, earlier this month and provided a platform for local entrepreneurs to source products from Chinese manufacturers,... 

R300m ASU plant’s heavy components successfully transported

International heavy lifting and plant relocation solutions provider Vanguard successfully completed its contract to transport abnormal load equipment for South African gas company Afrox’s... 

College of Cape Town pushes innovation boundaries in Siemens competition

Global technology group Siemens is supporting engineering students in skills development and technological innovation through its 2014 Cyber Junkyard competition, at which the College of Cape Town... 

Skills dearth a major concern in local oil and gas sector

The skills shortage in the oil and gas development sector in Southern Africa was hampering economic development in the region, said University of the Witwatersrand Business School head and director... 

African countries moving to ease the burden on entrepreneurs

The World Bank released its ‘Doing Business 2015: Going Beyond Efficiency’ report last month and ranked South Africa 43 out of 189 global economies for its ease of doing business, with Singapore... 

Acquisitions help diversify Rebosis’ portfolio

JSE-listed real estate investment trust (REIT) Rebosis Property Fund achieved a distribution growth of 8.1% to 99.45c per linked unit in the financial year ended August 31, despite volatile market... 

Regulation of engineering sector vital for public safety – ECSA

There is a need to regulate engineers in South Africa to ensure the safety of citizens from a public works perspective, newly appointed Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) CEO Sipho... 

Affordable, inflatable incubator wins design award

A low-cost, inflatable incubator won this year’s international James Dyson design award, which aims to encourage and inspire the next generation of design engineers.  

Hope that Gauteng open tender pilot will pave way for transparent procurement

Public confidence in Gauteng tender processes is expected to improve with the newly launched Gauteng Open Tender Process, which will be the piloted by the provincial Department of Roads and... 

Sanral reaffirms commitment to enviro-friendly development

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) is committed to environment-friendly development but is faced with a number of challenges, which it is striving to overcome through various... 

CPUT students shine at efficient lighting design competition

State-owned power utility Eskom’s biannual Energy Efficient Lighting Design competition awards took place in Sandton, Johannesburg, last month, showcasing local environment-friendly designs by... 

R1.1bn collected since launch of plastic bag levy

Since the introduction of the plastic bag levy scheme in 2004, more than R1.1-billion has been collected and deposited into the National Revenue Fund, from which R216-million was allocated up to... 

Mining seen posing a threat to water quality in the future

Future mining activities will take place in potentially water-scarce areas, which will also affect water quality in those areas, creating a threat that must be addressed. 

Private sector urged to join global humanitarian interventions

The global capacity of the humanitarian community to meet the needs of communities affected by natural disasters, chronic emergencies, conflict, political crisis and the threat of new and recurrent... 

SRK gearing up for African expansion

Global engineering consultant SRK Consulting is gearing up to expand its African footprint with a focus on local skills development and a strategy to be a leader in African natural resources,... 

Exports affecting local companies’ access to good-quality scrap metal

Trends in the steelmaking industry have shown that local access to good-quality scrap is being hampered by the increasing exports of this material.  

Construction of $900m gas-fired power station to start soon in Ghana

Financial agreement for Ghanian independent power producer (IPP) Cenpower Generation Company’s $900-million, 350 MW combined-cycle gas-turbine power plant was finalised earlier this month, paving... 

New HQ improves company’s energy efficiency, after-sales service

Forklift and lift-truck distributor Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC) launched its new head office, in Chloorkop, in Johannesburg, earlier this month and highlighted its efforts to ensure the... 

New demands on African airports as aviation sector expands

The twenty-third Airports Council International Africa Regional Assembly, which took place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, earlier this month, brought together African airport leaders under the theme:... 

South African insurance group targets African infrastructure markets

Financial services firm Santam’s 2014 interim results, an improvement on those of last year, support Santam’s strategy to improve business in Africa, India and South-East Asia, says Santam head of... 

New president of intelligent transport body on awareness-raising mission

Global engineering and technical services company Aurecon technical director and intelligent transport systems (ITS) service line leader Mike van Tonder has been elected president of the... 

Construction sector begins BBBEE alignment process

The broad-based black economic-empowerment (BBBEE) alignment process in the con-struction sector has begun, dur-ing which the sector codes of the Construction Sector Charter Council (CSCC) will be... 

Intervention aims to alleviate student accommodation shortage

There is a significant shortage of accommodation for students studying at universities in Gauteng, but the Student Accommodation Fund, a new programme by the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF), aims to... 

Project management, quantity surveying firms form partnership

South African-based international project management company Planning & Cost Engineering (PaCE) Services, and quantity surveying and construction-cost consultancy Basson & Close Quantity Surveyors... 

Data centre disaster recovery solution ensures business continuity

Chinese technology giant Huawei launched its Active-Active Data Centre disaster recovery (DR) solution at the Huawei Cloud Congress in Shanghai, China, last month.  

ICT growth in Africa dependent on mobile broadband access

Cloud computing and information and communication technology (ICT) in Africa will grow on the back of mobile broadband access but the challenge will be receiving a return on the investment.  

KZN distribution deal enhances electrical company’s reach

Electrical solutions company Magnet has been appointed the official distributor in KwaZulu-Natal of international electric and electronic equipment manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric’s factory... 

Occupational risk management leaders recognised

Occupational risk management services provider MicroMega Holdings subsidiary Nosa held its fifty-third yearly occupational risk management conference and exhibition, Noshcon 2014, in KwaZulu-Natal...