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18 August 2021 Media Release: Garden Route DM hosts successful Waste and Biomass Beneficiation Conference 

Media Release: Garden Route DM hosts successful Waste and Biomass Beneficiation Conference

For Immediate Release
18 August 2021

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Western Cape Economic Development Partnership and Climate Neutral Group, concluded a very successful Waste and Biomass Beneficiation Conference on 12 August 2021.

During his opening remarks, Ald. Memory Booysen said that he was confident that the GRDM would be setting the tone for the Garden Route to become the most resilient and progressive in the Western Cape and South Africa. Mayor Booysen stated that the GRDM regards energy remained a central part of what was being explored during the Conference. “Beneficiation is key for us to become sustainable – we already tick many of the boxes and we have the political will to carry it through,” he said.

During the Conference, it was evident that there is an appetite for developing waste and biomass beneficiation solutions and how it can benefit the Garden Route to form part of a new drive to go green with a selection of technologies. These technologies include alien invasive plants (AIPs) and general waste as a resource. Some applications discussed during the Conference included the manufacturing of syngas or ethanol, to produce Black Pellets or carbon-rich material produced during a pyrolysis process for agricultural use, generating energy (electricity) and many other applications.

Twenty-four (24) industry experts presented their topics under the following main conference themes:

  • The Waste and Biomass situation in the Garden Route and Western Cape
  • Completing the value chain — keeping the Cluster sustainable and looking after the environment
  • Logistics and infrastructure
  • Turning Waste and Biomass into Value
  • Finance and Development options

The Conference covered a wide variety of topics to assist technology and solution providers with access to all the essential facts and numbers needed to build a true business development project, based on tangible collaboration opportunities in a potential Waste Beneficiation Cluster or precinct. Close to 180 delegates (including presenters and organisers) attended the Conference with representation from the Private Sector, Government, Investors, NPOs and Academia.

During his closing remarks and unpacking of the steps to follow the Conference, GRDM Municipal Manager, Mr Monde Stratu thanked the organisers and said: “We invite all stakeholders to participate in formulating a strategic framework and action plan for the invasive biomass economy in South Africa and more specifically the Garden Route.” Stratu also stated that the development of a new brand of Small-, Medium and Micro Enterprises would be a critical component to ensure that the biomass value chain of the region is elevated beyond the supply and demand towards a restorative economic model.

The GRDM and its partners are keenly looking forward to taking the next steps forward to find solutions to minimise waste and maximise value.

Download all presentations here.

View the conference:

ENDS