The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) hosted the Sustainable Industrial Spaces Conference on 20 and 21 October 2025 at the CSIR ICC and online. The event provided a platform for discussion and learning among those leading the transformation of South Africa’s industrial parks and zones to sustainable industrial spaces.

The event was hosted by the NCPC in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), represented by the CSIR, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which is the international implementing agency for four multi-year projects led by the NCPC in industrial sectors around the country.

More than 100 delegates attended in person, while the full conference content was accessible online to support industrial parks and zones nationwide in their sustainability efforts. Presentations and discussions focused on sustainable energy solutions on the first day, including the expertise of the CSIR Energy Research Centre. On the second day, discussions focused on tools and best practices related to the eco-industrial park model, as implemented by UNIDO and the NCPC.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr Maoto Molefane, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Special Advisor at the dtic, stating, “Of all the instruments available to build a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable economy, the eco-industrial park stands out as one of the most transformative.”  

His sentiments were echoed by Dr Kaven Naidoo, CSIR Group Executive for Business Excellence and Integration, in his welcoming address to delegates. In his remarks, Dr Naidoo reflected on the significance of the conference and situated it within the broader context of South Africa’s industrial evolution and the organisation’s legacy of driving innovation for national development. He reminded delegates that the CSIR, which recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, has been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s science, technology and industrial landscape, playing a foundational role in many of the country’s leading research and standards institutions. “These examples show how the CSIR has served as a cornerstone of South Africa’s science and innovation ecosystem,” he added.

Turning to current challenges, he emphasised that South Africa and the continent face complex, interlinked issues: poverty, unemployment, infrastructure deficits, resource insecurity and, undeniably, energy insecurity. Climate risks and global competition for critical minerals exacerbate these issues further. “To achieve the objectives of the National Development Plan and Agenda 2063, we must place sustainable development at the centre of all policy, funding, and technology efforts,” Kaven urged. “However, no single organisation, sector, or country can address these challenges alone. It will require collaboration on a scale we have not seen before.”

He highlighted the importance of partnerships with government, industry and research institutions, particularly the collaboration with the dtic and the NCPC, driving the transformation of South Africa’s industrial spaces into sustainable, competitive and resilient hubs of growth.

The Sustainable Industrial Spaces Conference reinforced the role of the CSIR and NCPC as catalysts for sustainability in South Africa’s industrial sector. By fostering dialogue, collaboration and capacity-building, the NCPC continues to support the national agenda for greener, more resource-efficient and inclusive industrial development.

Explore all conference recordings available on the NCPC YouTube channel or follow NCPC on LinkedIn and scroll down to previous posts to catch up on streamed sessions.