Media advisory

South Africa’s first multimillion rand biorefinery facility will be launched by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, in Durban on Tuesday, 20 March.

Funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Biorefinery Industry Development Facility (BIDF) will address the issue of biomass wastage in the country through technology.

South Africa’s pulp and paper mills currently use only 40% of a tree in its production process. The Council for Scientific and Industry Research (CSIR), in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is pioneering a new technique aimed at using the tree to its maximum potential – up to 90%. This is expected to produce chemicals and other high-value products that will contribute to the evolution of current mills into forest biorefineries.

The BIDF will initially focus on the forestry sector and waste biomass, and endeavours to prevent job losses and rejuvenate growth in the sector.

The media is invited to join Minister Kubayi-Ngubane on a tour of this state-of-the-art facility.

The media are invited as follows:

Date: 20 March 2018
Venue: CSIR campus, 359 King George V Avenue, Durban
Time: 10:30 – 14:00

For enquiries and interviews, and to RSVP, please contact:

David Mandaha: CSIR Media Manager
Tel: +12 841 3654 or 072 126 8910
Email: dmandaha@csir.co.za

Or

Veronica Mohapeloa: DST Media Liaison Officer
Tel: +12 843 6788 or 083 400 5750
Email: veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za