The CSIR has developed a polymer composite solution for one of Africa’s largest steel pipe manufacturers, Hall Longmore, which takes them one step closer to offering the South African water industry a localised push-fit application for pressurised steel pipelines.

Using the DSI-CSIR Nanomaterials Industrial Development Facility, CSIR researchers developed a uniquely formulated polymer composite material for the steel pipe manufacturer and performed coating trials at their facility.

“The coating trials proved to be a success and an indication of a fruitful collaboration between local institutions working together to localise technology solutions for industry,” says Managing Director of Hall Longmore, KC Van Rooyen. 

CSIR, an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation, has donated furniture to enhance the teaching and learning of maths and science at Sikhululekile Secondary School, in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.

The donation forms part of the CSIR’s efforts to improve the learning environments in schools that are less privileged. It is also part of an extension of the commemoration of Mandela Day.

Sikhululekile Secondary School is one of the top performing township schools in maths and science with limited resources. Last year in July, the school was one of the schools and orphanages in and around Hammanskaal that received thousands of masks from the CSIR.