The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) publishes an annual global review of biotech crops commercialisation or the ISAAA Briefs. It is one of the most cited references in modern agri-biotechnology due to its credibility and accuracy. Since the adoption of biotechnological crops in 1996, ISAAA has remained the single most prominent source of this information. The year 2016 was momentous, since for the first time Nobel Laureates released a statement in support of biotechnology, condemning critics for their stance against the technology and the development of…
Read MoreDay: Jul 4, 2017
Pome fruit export volumes down due to continued drought
Pome fruit export volumes have seen a negative impact from the continued drought conditions in the major pome fruit production areas. The initial pome fruit crop estimate anticipated a 5% growth in export volumes, due to new orchards coming into production, however, the anticipated volumes did not materialise as the harvesting season progressed as fruit size in general and pack-out of fruit on tree were affected by a combination of drought and heatwave conditions. Current volumes in storage combined with exports to date led to the downward adjustment for pome…
Read MoreIndustry leaders gather to build South African manufacturing
The fourth annual Manufacturing Indaba, held on 27-28 June 2017 in Ekurhuleni, brought together key industry players, with revitalisation and collaboration high on the agenda. Delivering the welcome address at the start of the Manufacturing Indaba, Dr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza – MMC for Finance and Economic Development, City of Ekurhuleni, said, “This event is of the utmost importance to us as it brings about much-needed growth to the manufacturing sector, which contributes greatly to the growth of this country and the economic trajectory.” The Minister of the dti, Dr Rob Davies,…
Read MoreEngen Chemicals gets exclusive rights to X-PURGE
Engen has been awarded the sole distribution rights for a product called X-PURGE in South Africa. Engen and PTT, the National Oil Company of Thailand, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Cape Town. Dr Emma Mokoena, Engen manager: chemicals and special products says the company is excited about bringing the new product to its customers. “As the leading producer and marketer of a wide range of fuels, lubricants and oil-based products in South Africa, we are very proud to add X-PURGE to our portfolio. In addition to our…
Read MoreS.Africa’s Omnia looks at acquisitions to spur growth after profit drop
* Omnia FY profit down 7 pct * Manufacturing slowdown depresses chemical division * Seeks growth opportunities to boost chemicals business (Recasts with chemical division) By Tanisha HeibergJOHANNESBURG, June 27 (Reuters) – South African chemicals maker Omnia Holdings <OMNJ.J> will look at acquisitions and new African markets as it seeks to revive growth hit by a manufacturing slowdown, it said on Tuesday. Full-year group profit dropped 7 percent, with headline earnings per share (EPS), the main profit measure in South Africa that strips out certain one-off items, down to 8.81…
Read MoreSouth African presence at DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi indicates strong interest in DRC mining sector
“Renewing the presence of the South African National Pavilion at the DRC Mining Week positions South African companies as leading players in the mining and power sectors and will allow them to enhance their presence in the region, and for new companies to increase the South African foothold in the DRC.” This is according to Eric Bruggeman, CEO of the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), that is bringing a strong delegation of South African suppliers to the DRC Mining Week conference and exhibition, that is taking place in Lubumbashi, in the…
Read MoreWeir Minerals: Specialised Pumps for Processing and Transporting Mine Slurries
Weir Minerals is a global leader in delivering high-quality engineered products for slurry transportation, comminution and minerals processing applications in the mining sector. With over 140 years of experience, the company’s solutions aim to enhance productivity, operation longevity, capacity and efficiency by combining a hydraulic design and corrosion-resistant materials. Piston diaphragm pumps for handling abrasive materials The GEHO® TZPM pump is a crankshaft-driven piston diaphragm pump, which is designed to handle coarse mineral ores, minewater and tailings slurries. Designed for pumping solids and liquid mixtures, as well as high-pressures or…
Read MoreSA water treatment infrastructure to benefit from patented polymer system
PMPS, leading packaged metering and pumping solution provider in South Africa, is soon to launch Italian OBL Polisol automatic polymer preparation plant to the South African market. Used in water and waste water treatment plants, the system’s unrivalled wetting-in capabilities mean better, higher quality yields of the world’s most precious resource: water. Water is fast becoming central to the South African economy – and way of life – a fact that necessitates a rethink about how efficiently this resource is processed, used and reused. Packaged Metering & Pumping Solutions’ (PMPS)…
Read MoreLeading the market with LPG and more: Easigas’s ‘hot’ and innovative energy monitoring, optimisation and management value-add
As a source of energy, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is hard to beat. Easy to use, efficient, cost-competitive and environmentally-friendly – for both domestic and industrial use – its excellent properties are playing an active role in contributing towards a gas-powered economy. Furthermore, from an LPG supplier perspective, the business is also evolving in a dynamic and exciting manner. “In the past, it was enough to ensure timeous and efficient supply of LPG to customers in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors,” says Fred Royer, Managing Director of Easigas. Easigas…
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