Towards increased sustainability in Africa’s largest chemicals producers

South Africa's chemicals industry is set to grow significantly, with sales expected to reach USD 29 billion as of the end of 2022. South Africa is Africa's largest chemical producer, producing a wide range of chemicals for use in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and many other industries.

Chemical exports from South Africa to Belgium, the United States of America, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe have increased significantly this year. Johannesburg, Sasolburg, Durban and Cape Town are chemical manufacturing hubs, owing in part to high demand from consumer industries in these areas.

Sustainability in the industry

The chemicals industry, on the other hand, is facing major disruptions as environmental concerns gain prominence. As a result, businesses are increasingly investing in environmentally friendly practices and developing innovative solutions. To support these advances, the South African government has launched several initiatives to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the country's current chemical and waste management infrastructure.

To begin, the establishment of national sustainable development goals that include chemical management aims to help the adoption of sustainable practices within the chemical industry. Enhancing water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating improper disposal, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials is one of the key focus areas.

Furthermore, with the aid of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), South Africa is moving toward more sustainable industrial practices. The initiative aims to increase resource efficiency, promote cleaner production methods, and develop sustainable consumption and production patterns within the industry.

These initiatives, when combined with improved policy implementation, increase sustainability, and improve waste management practices. This includes the potential imposition of fines for mismanagement and the encouragement of industry partnerships to improve sustainable techniques.

Emerging trends in Africa's chemical industry

As sustainability continues to take center stage in chemical manufacturing, South Africa is undergoing a transformation , with companies increasing investments in a variety of environmentally friendly initiatives, including the ones listed below.

1. Energy management

   Companies are making significant investments in energy-efficient technologies such as process optimization, heat integration, and cogeneration, all with the goal of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. There is also a growing trend toward renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Cleaner energy and better energy management strategies are working together to reduce the carbon footprint of chemical manufacturers.

2. Adoption of carbon-neutral feedstock

   The use of carbon-neutral feedstocks, such as biomass, is becoming more popular in the industry. The industry reduces its reliance on fossil fuels and, as a result, the carbon emissions associated with chemical production by leveraging sustainable alternatives.

3. Carbon capture and utilisation

   These innovations capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into valuable products such as chemicals and fuels. CCU technologies are critical tools in the fight against climate change while also creating economic opportunities.

4. Integration of sustainable materials

   In the chemicals manufacturing industry, the development of materials such as biodegradable polymers and the incorporation of recycled materials into production processes is becoming more common. Chemical manufacturing has a lower environmental impact because of these efforts.

5. Application of technology

   To tie the other efforts together, South Africa's chemicals industry is increasingly adopting industry 4.0 technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, big data analysis, and artificial intelligence to make production processes more efficient while reducing waste.

Building a sustainable future

With South Africa's chemical sector on the rise, opportunities for supporting industries to grow alongside are emerging. For example, logistics has the potential to significantly contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in the chemicals industry. The transportation of raw materials from the source to the factory, as well as finished goods to destination markets, can be a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Working with logistics partners who incorporate sustainability into their approach is likely to move the needle for chemical producers.

Furthermore, digitally powered capacities such as demand forecasting reduce unnecessary transportation and storage costs by transporting only the necessary materials.

South Africa's chemicals industry can not only lead the continent in commercial productivity but also drive the sector's sustainability by coordinating green production methods, energy-saving strategies, environmentally friendly processes, and sustainable transportation.