Strong support for more gas in SA’s energy mix, but constraints linger

Government’s Gas Utilisation Master Plan (Gump), Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) and Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) underline that gas is not only a substitutable alternative to coal but a definitive... 

Big Indian delegation for Joburg trade exhibition

India’s largest delegation yet has participated in this year’s Southern African International Trade Exhibition (Saitex), which took place from 22 June to 24 June in Midrand, Johannesburg, to... 

Exhibit overcomes dinosaur sized logistics to land in SA

The 55 274 kg Days of the Dinosaur exhibition has arrived in South Africa in 11 shipping containers over a four-week, 15 000 km journey from Vigo, Spain.  

New plasterboard technology set to improve indoor air quality

Interior building solutions group Saint-Gobain Gyproc is highlighting the importance of high indoor air quality in various environments with its Activ’Air plasterboard, which uses new technology to... 

Varsity receives R1m sponsorship for solar-powered car

High-service distributor of electronic, electrical, mechanical and industrial products RS Components SA is advancing research and development in alternative energy through its sponsorship of... 

Digital electronics scientist and inventor honoured by SA university

Dutch scientist and inventor Professor Kornelis Immink was awarded an honorary doctoral degree ¬– Doctor Honoris Causa for technical and scientific research – by the University of Johannesburg (UJ)... 

Energy solutions firm targets larger market share as it opens in Gauteng

Energy solutions company ThermoWise is offering its clients personal service, backed by local support, with the opening of its Gauteng branch, where it hopes to achieve a market share of 75% in the... 

Poor maths, science education at heart of SA’s skills problem

Various industries continuously grapple with dilemmas arising from an acute skills shortage, owing to the low standard of mathematics and science education in South Africa, says University of... 

Global health and safety group homes in on African oil, gas prospects

International environment, health and safety (EHS) solutions specialist EHS Support has entered into a definitive agreement with local consulting company Prime Africa Consultants to develop a... 

Construction of R72m Alex–Sandton bridge to start in September

The construction of the R72-million pedestrian and walkway bridge linking the Alexandra and Sandton areas, in Johannesburg, will begin in September and will benefit the 10 000 commuters that walk... 

Further office revamps likely amid sustained Sandton demand

The current office market conditions in Sandton, in Johannesburg, are positive and are expected to continue in this vein for the foreseeable future, given the large amount of refurbishments and new... 

Renewables’ contribution to SA’s power mix set to grow

By 2030 renewable energy would contribute 42% to the energy mix in South Africa, said specialist fund manager Mergence Investment Managers impact investments head Mark van Wyk. 

R1.5bn Centurion shopping mall launches first phase

The first phase of the R1.5-billion Forest Hill City shopping mall, in Monavoni, in Centurion, was launched last month by property developers Billion Group, with the entire development set for a... 

Access control company showcases new products for SA market

Physical access control manufacturer Turnstar Systems launched its innovative Speedstile Secure turnstile at the International Fire and Security Exhibition and Conference South Africa in Midrand,... 

Government keen to build a strong export culture among manufacturers

A culture of export is minimal in South Africa and it is important to establish methods to enhance local exports, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) trade and investment deputy director-general... 

Sappi emerging as world player in specialised-cellulose market

Paper and packaging group Sappi Southern Africa has diversified its operations to include the export of specialised cellulose, a grade of pulp which it produces and from which it generates a... 

Digital tool to help structural engineers with steel connections

The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) is hoping to revolutionise the steel construction industry through digital development using its new Connections eToolKit, which was... 

SA solar-heating manufacturer invests in robotic solution to boost output

South African solar-heating company SunTank has invested significantly in robot-assisted production to increase its product volume, improve quality, save costs and stay competitive on a global scale. 

Construction of R300m Coega air-separation plant advancing

ndustrial and speciality gas company Air Products South Africa’s R300-million air separation plant would bolster industrial growth and attract new investments into the Coega industrial development... 

New safety gear for working at height unveiled

Working at height safety company HeightSafety Gear launched its Safe Point anchor point system for fall-arrest, rope access and rope rescue applications at the 2014 Occupational Safety and Health... 

Bank report highlights its clean-energy investments

South African financial institution Standard Bank has invested significantly in renewable-energy projects and in reducing its carbon footprint as part of its commitment to embed sustainable... 

Imperial keen to cooperate rather than compete with Transnet

It was not in the interest of logistics firm Imperial Logistics to compete with State-owned railway utility Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), as both companies were actively working together to ensure... 

Opportunities for intermodalism as SA pushes road-to-rail migration

Migrating from road-to-rail is not only the way forward, but also a cornerstone of State-owned railways utility Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR’s) Market Demand Strategy (MDS), with considerable... 

New credit-risk management solution launched

Risk solutions provider Inoxico believes effective debtor management is central to maintaining a healthy cash flow and, as a result, launched its predicative credit management solution, Inoxico... 

Constitutional changes could improve water supply

In the past 20 years, 23.5-million people have been supplied with water in South Africa and 95% of the population received water infrastructure, creating a precedence unlike anywhere else in the... 

Warning that proposed immigration rules won’t help SA address scarce skills problem

The Draft Immigration Regulations published in the Government Gazette in February for public comment, have been criticised by various immigration specialists who have highlighted specific flaws... 

Filter firm expands manufacturing, distribution infrastructure

Filter product manufacturer Balwin Filters relocated and upgraded its manufacturing and distribution facilities in Cape Town in March, in a move aimed at promoting continued company growth... 

Coca-Cola replenishes more than 80-billion litres of water through water initiatives

Global beverages manufacturer Coca-Cola has replenished more than 80-billion litres of water used in its beverage production worldwide using water-saving initiatives. 

Strong technical college enrolment growth, but higher education still ‘lopsided’

The enrolment of students into technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges has grown by 131% since 2010 but there are still challenges that must be addressed through industry... 

Care centre receives large-scale solar water heating system

Solar Energy Solutions company Solardura has completed the installation and commissioning of a large-scale solar water heating system for the Blessed Gérard Care Centre in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal.  

Customercentric engineers key to tackling poverty problem, says SAIEE president

South Africa has an opportunity to achieve a similar result to that of China, which has lifted hundreds of millions of its citizens from poverty to prosperity, but the challenge is to develop... 

Skills drought taking its toll on SA water sector

The water sector is experiencing critical scarce skills shortage, owing to an insufficient skills base and fierce competition in the labour market for skilled personnel, said the Department of... 

NDP should be used as guideline for engineering skills development

South Africa needs to produce its own engineering skills, but it is important for all stakeholders to work together and not in isolation using the National Development Plan (NDP) as a guideline.  

SA has the resources to deliver on Constitutional mandate – Madonsela

South Africa had more than enough money and resources to deliver on the constitutional promise of quality of life for all, but those involved in corruption have cost the country immensely. 

Battery manufacturer sets up recycling unit

Lead acid battery manufacturer and distributor First National Battery officially launched its Scrap Battery division last month to address environmental concerns and promote the recycling of... 

New cooling technologies introduced into SA’s smelting market

Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie and Austrian engineering company Mettop have formed a strategic alliance to introduce a new patented cooling technology for metallurgical furnaces to... 

Warehouse management becoming increasingly technology driven

Technology development and application is a steadily growing trend in the supply chain business, especially for warehouse management systems (WMS).  

Energy demand will double by 2050, shale gas could ease stress

The global energy outlook is that energy demand will double by 2050 and the world’s population will grow to nine-billion, creating a need for increased energy supply with reduced carbon dioxide... 

Firms partner to form first African-owned consulting engineering powerhouse

Consulting engineering firms Iliso consulting, Lategan Bouwer Engineers and TRicon Consulting Engineers have entered into a long-term partnership to form the first African-owned multidisciplinary... 

Welding institute in regional expansion

The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) has begun its regional expansion as a result of an increasing demand for its services in Durban and Cape Town.