Although the South African composites industry has the potential to develop, it is currently fragmented, owing to a chasm in the integration of product design, material selection, manufacturing and research and development (R&D), says Biocomposites Centre of Competence (BCC) composites expert Dr Kjelt van Rijswijk.

The role of the BCC, which is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is to build a viable and lively industry based on cooperation between the research community and industry, explains Van Rijswijk.

“There is a lot of potential for job opportunities and company growth regarding composites in South Africa,” he highlights, adding that in recognition of this potential, the Department of Trade and Industry has appointed Simphiwe Fikizolo its composites liaison officer with industry.

In addition, technology research organisation the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has invested significantly in fibres and biocomposites research and infrastructure at its Port Elizabeth campus.

The DST has invested about R10.8-million in new equipment to complement this research.

Examples of current research being undertaken include the development of natural- fibre-based panels for aerospace applications using environmentally benign flame-retardant treatment and product technologies for the built environment that have resulted in the manufacturing of initial natural-fibre- reinforced prototypes of insulation panels and insulated roof panels.

According to the CSIR website, “a fully developed local biocomposites industry in South Africa has a potential market for natural fibres of about 10 000 t/y to 15 000 t/y.

The associated employment requirement is estimated at 11 000 to 15 000 jobs in upstream plant cultivation and fibre extraction and/or processing, and an additional 2 500 to 3 000 jobs in downstream manufacturing industries.
This translates into a potential R300-million to R350-million a year for rural fibre, or biocomposites, production and processing and R2-billion to R2.5-billion a year for final products.

The CSIR’s focus is on developing the appropriate product technology platforms for the construction, packaging, automotive and aerospace industries, as well as on general moulded products. The BCC, headed up by Andy Radford, complements the CSIR’s efforts by adding a commercial angle and by engaging with industry, says Van Rijswijk.

The BCC launched the Aerospace and Defence Composites Forum in November last year, which is a local industry forum that provides opportunities for information sharing, analysis, mutual support and encouragement, partnering, innovation and performance breakthroughs in aerospace-type composites technology, explains Van Rijswijk.

Another similar forum is being developed by the BCC, which will tackle the needs of the boat and wind turbine manufacturing industries, as the two industries are similar in terms of the technology and design methods used, he says, adding that composites forums for the automotive, railway and construction sectors will follow.

“Each industry has its own specific challenges that need to be managed, but there are also issues that are common in all industries,” highlights Van Rijswijk.

He says the industry has responded well to the forums thus far, as they provide a platform for discussion and provide opportunities for implementation of locally developed technology, hence, bridging the gap between the research community and industry.

“There are a lot of projects in South Africa that can be completed locally by South African companies supported by a focused research effort. However, owing to the disconnectedness between government and the local composites industry, South African companies are not presented with these opportunities,” he explains.

In terms of R&D, Van Rijswijk says universities are interested in focusing their research on real-life applications so that it is theoretically and practically usable.

He adds that the educational system, which is linked to industry, at universities and colleges will prepare the future workforce, technicians and engineers for the composites industry.

“In the next five years, the composites industry will be more organised, which will contribute to job creation in South Africa and the growth of local companies and technologies,” he notes.

Van Rijswijk says the future of the South African composites industry looks bright, provided changes are made.