In The Spotlight
South Africa’s Hydra project, thought to be the largest hybrid renewable energy development in Africa, has been inaugurated in the Northern Cape
TotalEnergies and partners Hydra Storage Holding and Reatile Renewables announced the start up of the project on 16 July.
It combines a 216 MW solar photovoltaic plant with a 500 MWh battery energy storage system.
The facility will supply 75 MW of dispatchable renewable electricity to the national grid under a 20-year power purchase agreement signed with state utility, Eskom.
This represents more than 400 GWh of electricity per year, equivalent to the consumption of approximately 200,000 South African households.
“We are delighted, together with our partners Reatile Renewables and Hydra Storage Holding, to bring the Hydra project into operation,” said Magali Pailhé, managing director of TotalEnergies Southern Africa.
“It enables us to supply dispatchable renewable power to the South African grid, thereby strengthening the country’s energy security while decarbonising its electricity generation.”
Pailhé also said that the project reinforces the company’s own renewable production capacity in South Africa, the continent’s largest power market in terms of electricity consumption.
TotalEnergies and Hydra Storage Holding each hold a 35% in the development, with Reatile Renewables holding the remaining 30%.
It forms part of South Africa’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme launched by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
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Lephalale solar plant powers Exxaro's greener mining
Exxaro Resources has reached a major milestone in its energy transition strategy with the commercial operation of the 68 MWac Lephalale Solar Project (LSP), its first utility-scale self-generation renewable energy facility
Developed through its wholly owned renewable energy business, Cennergi, the project reflects the growing shift among mining companies towards cleaner, more secure power sources as rising electricity costs, grid constraints and decarbonisation targets reshape the sector.
Located adjacent to Exxaro's Grootegeluk Mine in Limpopo, the behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) plant comprises 129,024 solar modules installed across 185 hectares. Unlike grid-scale solar farms that primarily supply electricity to national utilities, behind-the-meter facilities generate power directly for industrial operations, reducing dependence on the public grid while improving operational reliability. The plant is expected to generate approximately 176 GWh of renewable electricity annually, supplying daytime power to the mine under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
The project achieved Commercial Operations Date (COD) on 20 April 2026, following financial close in June 2023, construction beginning in August 2023, first power delivery in December 2025 and full generation capacity reached later that month. With an investment of R1.7bn (approx. US$104mn), the project demonstrates Exxaro's ability to develop, finance, construct and operate large-scale renewable energy assets while strengthening energy resilience for its mining operations.
Mining companies across Southern Africa are increasingly investing in captive renewable energy as they seek to reduce exposure to power shortages, volatile electricity tariffs and carbon-related costs. South Africa's ongoing electricity supply challenges, combined with corporate net-zero commitments and supportive regulatory reforms for private generation, have accelerated renewable energy deployment across the mining sector. Solar PV has become one of the fastest-growing technologies due to its relatively short construction period, predictable operating costs and ability to offset daytime energy demand.
The Lephalale Solar Project is designed to reduce Exxaro's Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 17%, while lowering electricity costs for Grootegeluk Mine by more than R100m (approx. US$6.1mn) annually. The facility has also been licensed for future integration with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), allowing excess solar generation to be stored and dispatched when required. This future capability will improve energy flexibility and help maintain operations beyond daylight hours as storage technologies become increasingly economical.
Speaking at the official opening, Exxaro CEO Ben Magara said the project marks an important step in delivering the company's Sustainable Growth and Impact strategy.
"The official opening of the Lephalale Solar Project is far more than the completion of a renewable energy facility; it marks another significant milestone in the delivery of our sustainable growth and impact strategy," he said.
"The project demonstrates our ability to successfully develop, finance, construct and operate large-scale renewable energy infrastructure through our growing renewable energy business, Cennergi."
Beyond reducing emissions, the project is expected to strengthen Exxaro's long-term operational resilience by providing greater energy security, reducing exposure to carbon taxes and supporting more predictable electricity costs.
The project has also delivered measurable socio-economic benefits during construction. It created 808 jobs, of which 557 positions (69%) were filled by members of local host communities, including three people living with disabilities. Local procurement accounted for 41.9% of project spending, benefiting 13 local subcontractors and supporting regional economic development.
To support a just energy transition, Exxaro invested R1.12m (approx. US$68,400) in community bursaries and workforce development programmes, providing training in photovoltaic installation, firefighting, first aid, incident investigation and other construction-related skills that will remain valuable beyond the project itself.
The successful delivery of the Lephalale Solar Project strengthens Cennergi's renewable energy portfolio and provides a scalable model for future industrial renewable energy developments. As mining companies continue balancing productivity with sustainability, self-generation projects such as Lephalale are expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing emissions while improving operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness.
Efficient scalping and material classification help remove oversize and fines early, improving downstream crushing performance and overall plant efficiency. (Image source: Pilot Crushtec)
Pilot Crushtec International has expanded its mobile screening portfolio with the introduction of the DynamiTrac XS200 Xtreme Mobile Scalping Screen, a compact solution developed to help smaller quarrying, mining, construction and recycling operations improve productivity without investing in larger, more complex equipment
Designed as an entry-level mobile scalping screen, the DynamiTrac XS200 is aimed at contractors, emerging operators and smaller sites seeking dependable screening performance in a compact, cost-effective package. The machine has been engineered to balance mobility, operational simplicity and affordability while meeting the demands of a wide range of material processing applications.
One of the unit's defining features is its compact footprint, which enables easy transportation and allows it to fit inside a standard shipping container. This simplifies logistics and reduces transport costs, making the machine particularly well suited to projects across Africa, where remote locations, limited infrastructure and rapid deployment are often key operational requirements.
According to Jorge Abelho, director technical support at Pilot Crushtec, the new machine addresses increasing demand for flexible screening equipment tailored to smaller-scale operations.
“The DynamiTrac XS200 was designed for operators who need mobility, simplicity and reliable performance in a compact package,”stated Abelho.
“Not every operation requires large high-output equipment. Many smaller sites need a machine that can move quickly, screen efficiently and be deployed without major infrastructure or transport costs.”
Its mobile configuration enables operators to position the screen close to the extraction or working face, reducing material haulage distances, improving material flow and allowing faster relocation as site requirements evolve. The result is greater operational flexibility and improved efficiency throughout the production process.
The DynamiTrac XS200 is designed to efficiently scalp and classify run-of-mine, blasted and recycled materials by removing oversized material and fines at an early stage. This helps improve the efficiency of downstream crushing circuits, protects processing equipment from unnecessary wear and contributes to a more streamlined plant layout.
To accommodate different operating conditions, the machine can be equipped with a range of screening media, enabling users to optimise performance for various feed materials and end-product specifications across quarrying, aggregates, construction and recycling applications.
The unit also incorporates straightforward controls, rapid commissioning and simplified maintenance requirements, reducing downtime and making it easier for operators to maximise productivity without increasing operational complexity.
Summing up the company's approach, Abelho said, “With the DynamiTrac XS200, Pilot Crushtec continues to deliver fit-for-purpose equipment designed around real operational needs, and this particular machine offers smaller operations a practical, mobile and highly transportable solution built for performance and flexibility.”
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In the final webinar of its African Review-hosted 2023 campaign, Convergent Group explored its modern, eco-friendly concrete solutions for African projects
Such solutions – delivered to cut maintenance costs by eliminating hazardous silicate products – were showcased by company experts in the form of Jean-Claude Biard, SEO of Convergent Group SA; Mputu Schmidt, former CEO of Convergent Group SA and founder of Bondeko MB (exclusive distributor of Convergent Group in Africa); Carlos Garcia, technical and sales for ADI Group (Spanish distributor for Convergent Group); and Amritpal Singh Sura, external consultant for flooring treatments, former distributor of Convergent products in the Middle East.
“A number of projects we were doing in the Middle East required protection,” remarked Sura. “Longevity of protection requires a system which basically impregnates and becomes a densified surface as opposed to something which is topical and lifts off due to moisture migration. I found that being exposed to Convergent, it was important to stay focused on those systems in the Middle East. Jean-Claude, Mputu and I met several times in Dubai and there was emphasis on providing systems which were affordable and still ending up having a robust, lasting longevity of product. So you are not spending money all the time in order to maintain the finishes which you have already paid for.”
Over the course of the session, the participants guided the audience through the potential of cutting-edge lithium silicate technology for enhancing the protection of concrete surfaces, maximising cost-effectiveness and meeting sustainability targets.
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In a comprehensive webinar hosted by African Review, a panel of professionals associated with Convergent Group explored new generation lithium silicate technology and why it is emerging as the optimum solution for concrete floor protection.
Robert Daniels, editor of African Review, was joined by Jean-Claude Biard, CEO of Convergent Group; Mputu Schmidt, former CEO of Convergent and founder of Bondeko MB, an exclusive distributor of Convergent; Hicham Sofyani, president of Texol; Carlos Garcia, technical and sales for ADI Group; and Marc Puig, commercial manager of Comace Import.
Each providing a unique angle, the panellists combined to provide a masterclass around concrete treatments and the increasing challenges around them, explaining to attendees how to choose the right formula for their requirements and touching on issues such as why lithium densifiers are better than sodium and potassium densifiers.
Throughout the session, those watching were treated to informative case studies showcasing how Convergent eco-friendly products are increasing abrasion resistance, raising ease of maintenance, and ensuring the highest quality gloss retention.
By the end of the webinar, a majority of attendees (many of which had not had much experience with Convergent) expressed their interest in using the company’s new generation lithium silicate technology with the rest indicating their desire to learn more about Convergent and its products. Watch the webinar, in full, to discover why viewers were convinced and learn more about advanced floor care solutions for your operations.
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Presenting on an African Review-hosted webinar, Martin Provencher, global industry principal for mining, metals and materials at AVEVA, explored the digital transformation of mining operations and its impact on sustainability.
“Sustainability is becoming a key aspect for mining operations,” remarked Provencher. “If we look at the latest EY research on the top ten business risks and opportunities for mining and metals globally in 2023, ESG remains at the top. Of course, most companies have environmental goals or are expected to reach a net zero emission by 2050, which is a pretty aggressive target. Many of them are targeting 30% reduction by 2030; seven years from now. So there is a lot of action that needs to take place quickly to get there. It is possible to get there, but we need to make sure we are doing this correctly.”
Fast becoming a huge part of ESG initiatives is fleet electrification where particular progress is being made in underground mines. While some countries are certainly more advanced than others here, Provencher noted that 40% of total emissions from the mining industry come from diesel trucks, making EVs a very attractive low-hanging fruit for companies to pursue.
There are, however, a number of challenges associated with bringing in electric vehicles which remains a barrier for introduction. One of the predominant reasons, is the limited range of EVs against diesel counterparts. To mitigate this, Provencher continued, data management is key and ensuring a strong grasp of real-time information coming in will show operators when machinery needs to be charged, allowing them to plan effectively for maximum efficiency on site.
Indeed, this is but a small advantage that digitalisation can bring to the mining industry as it grapples to meet ESG goals while achieving production targets. By getting a better grip of their data and using it to empower tools such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and machine learning, companies can achieve tangible benefits such as reduce downtime, enhance worker safety, cut operating costs and, of course, ensure compliance with environmental regulations and targets.
Through the course of the webinar, Provencher outlined this in more detail and explored AVEVA’s suite of cutting-edge software solutions, specifically designed to help mining companies make progress on their digitalisation journey and empower their operations.
Watch the full webinar, completed with detailed case studies and an insightful Q&A session.
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Convergent, in association with African Review, has held a detailed webinar exploring the usage and effectiveness of lithium silicates and densifiers over traditional methods of concrete surface management which often struggle to meet the increasing challenges posed by concrete surface management.
Convergent experts including Mputu Schmidt, CEO of Convergent; Carlos Garcia, product manager end-user solutions, construction chemicals, Spain and Portugal for the RD Group; Matteo Mozzarelli, CEO of concrete Solutions Italia; and Jean-Claude Biard, global senior executive for the Convergent Group, presented across the session.
Together, they delved into the latest cost-effective application methods for long lasting finishing of concrete that can help reduce maintenance costs and avoid unexpected repair action. In addition, they examined the advancements in technologies that can sustain increased abrasion resistant stains and ensure gloss retention to the highest quality.
As part of the webinar, the representatives explored case studies including a case in DRC where a medical centre had been constructed with a low-quality concrete floor. The customer was considering completely replacing the floor but instead, Convergent put forward a special treatment with its 244+ Pentra-Sil lithium hardener, densifier and sealer. With this solution, Convergent can increase the hardness of a surface by up to 40% and therefore saved the customer significant recuperation costs over a complete replacement. Convergent were happy to report that the solution was perfect for the facility and the customer was pleased to avoid the extra construction work that would have been required for a complete replacement.
Watch the full webinar, including more information about Convergent’s innovative solutions.
Ivanhoe Mines said its Kamoa-Kakula on-site solar facility with battery storage is set to ramp up to full capacity during Q3 2026 — with plans well advanced to double on-site solar capacity to 120 MW by the end of 2027
In a Q2 update, the company reported that commissioning of Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are underway, as part of efforts to drive down energy costs and expand mining output.
Once fully ramped up during the third quarter, the facilities will deliver 60 MW of continuous baseload power to Kamoa Copper as its sole offtaker, it noted.
The solar and battery storage facilities are owned, operated and funded by CrossBoundary Energy and Green World Energie.
The two facilities have a combined 433 MW of peak installed solar PV capacity and 1,107 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity.
The facility is the largest hybrid solar PV and BESS facility installed by a mining company in Africa.
Looking ahead, Kamoa-Kakula is also advancing plans to double on-site solar power capacity, with battery storage, up to 120 MW by the end of 2027.
During Q2, a tender was awarded and a power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Green World Energie for an additional 30 MW on-site hybrid solar PV facility with BESS.
Construction is expected to be completed in Q3 2027, Ivanhoe Mines said in its update.
A further 30 MW solar PV facility is currently undergoing final contract negotiation and is expected to be awarded soon, it added.
As well as work at the Kamoa-Kakula complex, Ivanhoe Mines is also looking to upgrade energy facilities at the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC.
The company is expected to releasemore details when it publishes its Q2 2026 financial results at the end of July.
Read more:
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Nestle sites gain nearly seven megawatts of solar
Caterpillar has brought together more than 400 customers and dealers from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for its fourth Construction and Quarry Technology Days, held at the Caterpillar Demonstration & Learning Centre in Málaga, Spain
The two-week event welcomed representatives from 15 Cat dealers to explore the company's latest technologies and their practical applications across construction and quarrying operations.
The programme began with opening remarks from Kristin Gaskill, Caterpillar vice-president of technology in Construction Industries, followed by a live product demonstration focused on technology-driven solutions. Over the following days, attendees participated in guided sessions across five dedicated technology areas, allowing them to see how these solutions perform in real-world conditions and how they can be integrated into their own projects.
Gaskill highlighted Caterpillar's ongoing commitment to advancing digital transformation within the industry.
"Our focus is clear: accelerating technology and digital adoption to deliver measurable outcomes for our customers."
"This week in Málaga is a powerful example of how Caterpillar and Cat Dealers are working together to solve customer challenges using technology & digital solutions in the dirt and back office. Our goal is to ensure technology is easy to buy, easy to use and delivers value at scale. Ultimately, we’re here to help customers unlock new and different business outcomes by partnering with them for long-term success on the job site."
Throughout the event, Caterpillar demonstrated a range of technologies designed to address critical operational priorities. Featured solutions included Better Data for Better Decisions, Perfecting Payload, Safer Jobsites, Remote Site Control with Cat Command, and Cat 2D and 3D Grade technologies.
Together, these technologies are intended to help customers improve productivity, enhance jobsite safety and simplify operations while addressing one of the industry's ongoing challenges: attracting and retaining skilled equipment operators.
Now in its fourth edition, Construction and Quarry Technology Days continues to serve as a platform for strengthening collaboration between Caterpillar, its dealer network and customers across the region.
The event also provides opportunities for customers to exchange experiences, learn from industry peers and gain greater confidence in implementing new technologies. With support from the global Cat dealer network, participants can better understand how to scale digital solutions across their operations.
As digitalisation continues to reshape the construction and quarrying sectors, the Málaga event demonstrates Caterpillar's focus on helping customers transform data, connectivity and automation into measurable operational and business benefits.
Efficient scalping and material classification help remove oversize and fines early, improving downstream crushing performance and overall plant efficiency. (Image source: Pilot Crushtec)
Pilot Crushtec International has expanded its mobile screening portfolio with the introduction of the DynamiTrac XS200 Xtreme Mobile Scalping Screen, a compact solution developed to help smaller quarrying, mining, construction and recycling operations improve productivity without investing in larger, more complex equipment
Designed as an entry-level mobile scalping screen, the DynamiTrac XS200 is aimed at contractors, emerging operators and smaller sites seeking dependable screening performance in a compact, cost-effective package. The machine has been engineered to balance mobility, operational simplicity and affordability while meeting the demands of a wide range of material processing applications.
One of the unit's defining features is its compact footprint, which enables easy transportation and allows it to fit inside a standard shipping container. This simplifies logistics and reduces transport costs, making the machine particularly well suited to projects across Africa, where remote locations, limited infrastructure and rapid deployment are often key operational requirements.
According to Jorge Abelho, director technical support at Pilot Crushtec, the new machine addresses increasing demand for flexible screening equipment tailored to smaller-scale operations.
“The DynamiTrac XS200 was designed for operators who need mobility, simplicity and reliable performance in a compact package,”stated Abelho.
“Not every operation requires large high-output equipment. Many smaller sites need a machine that can move quickly, screen efficiently and be deployed without major infrastructure or transport costs.”
Its mobile configuration enables operators to position the screen close to the extraction or working face, reducing material haulage distances, improving material flow and allowing faster relocation as site requirements evolve. The result is greater operational flexibility and improved efficiency throughout the production process.
The DynamiTrac XS200 is designed to efficiently scalp and classify run-of-mine, blasted and recycled materials by removing oversized material and fines at an early stage. This helps improve the efficiency of downstream crushing circuits, protects processing equipment from unnecessary wear and contributes to a more streamlined plant layout.
To accommodate different operating conditions, the machine can be equipped with a range of screening media, enabling users to optimise performance for various feed materials and end-product specifications across quarrying, aggregates, construction and recycling applications.
The unit also incorporates straightforward controls, rapid commissioning and simplified maintenance requirements, reducing downtime and making it easier for operators to maximise productivity without increasing operational complexity.
Summing up the company's approach, Abelho said, “With the DynamiTrac XS200, Pilot Crushtec continues to deliver fit-for-purpose equipment designed around real operational needs, and this particular machine offers smaller operations a practical, mobile and highly transportable solution built for performance and flexibility.”
DP World opens Egypt's first integrated logistics distribution centre at Sokhna to strengthen regional trade.
DP World has inaugurated Egypt's first fully integrated Logistics Distribution Centre (LDC) at Sokhna Logistics Park, introducing a new logistics hub designed to simplify access to the Egyptian market while supporting regional and international trade through a single distribution platform
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, alongside senior government officials and representatives from international businesses. The occasion also marked the first official visit to Egypt by His Excellency Essa Kazim since assuming the role of chairman of DP World. During the event, agreements were signed with the first three international customers that will utilise the new facility.
Situated adjacent to Sokhna Port within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the Logistics Distribution Centre has been strategically positioned along one of the world's busiest trade routes, providing efficient connectivity to markets across the region and beyond.
The facility delivers an integrated supply chain offering that combines international freight forwarding, port operations at Sokhna Port, warehousing, inventory management, order fulfilment, customs clearance support, transport coordination and a range of value-added services. These include assembly, packaging, repackaging, labelling and product customisation, allowing businesses to manage distribution from a single location while retaining ownership of inventory until products reach their final destination.
His Excellency Essa Kazim, chairman of DP World, said, "The launch of the project marks a new chapter in our long-standing partnership with this dynamic market. Egypt has been one of our most important investment destinations in the region, and today we reaffirm our confidence in its potential to become a global hub for trade, industry and logistics.”
“Egypt's first Logistics Distribution Centre reflects our vision of creating an integrated ecosystem that connects ports, logistics and supply chain solutions, enabling businesses to access local, regional and international markets more efficiently. We look forward to expanding our investments in support of the Egyptian government's vision while strengthening the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy and attracting further investment," added Kazim.
The centre has already secured its first group of international customers, highlighting Egypt's growing importance as a regional logistics gateway.
Among them is a Kenya-based tea exporter serving customers across Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The company, which handles around 1,000 TEUs into Egypt each year, will use the facility as a regional inventory hub to streamline distribution across several international markets.
Another early customer, one of the world's leading consumer goods distributors, will utilise the centre to support operations in eight markets across Saudi Arabia, the Levant and the Horn of Africa. Its activities will be supported by a dedicated temperature-controlled facility located within Sokhna Logistics Park.
A third customer is a German multinational specialising in fibre-optic cables and digital infrastructure solutions. The company will use the logistics centre to strengthen its distribution and re-export operations across Egypt, North Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Mohammad Shihab, executive vice-president, Egypt and Levant, DP World, said, "The launch of the LDC at Sokhna Logistics Park strengthens Egypt's trade and logistics capabilities by enabling businesses to position inventory closer to customers and serve multiple markets from a single regional hub. The integrated model improves efficiency and flexibility while reinforcing Egypt's role as a strategic gateway connecting Asia, Africa and Europe.”
He thanked the Egyptian Government for its support in enabling the project, adding that it will help attract investment, encourage industrial growth and improve Egypt's competitiveness.
By positioning inventory and raw materials closer to manufacturing hubs and end markets, the Logistics Distribution Centre is expected to shorten lead times, improve supply chain resilience and support business continuity. It will also provide local industries with quicker access to essential materials, further strengthening Egypt's position as a regional trade and logistics hub.
DP World has invested more than US$1.4bn in logistics infrastructure across Egypt. Its investments include the expansion and modernisation of Sokhna Port, the development of Sokhna Logistics Park and a new cold chain facility currently under construction. Together with the company's freight forwarding, contract logistics and end-to-end supply chain services, these assets are intended to help businesses improve operational efficiency, lower costs, enhance export competitiveness and expand access to regional and global markets.
Africa’s first privately-financed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant has secured funding from the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF) and various Middle Eastern investors
The deal expands EAAIF’s footprint into the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, following its ongoing expansion into Asia.
The US$212mn clean fuels project, located in Egypt’s Sokhna Special Economic Zone, will be owned and operated by Green Sky Capital Limited together with its local subsidiary, SAF Fly Egypt.
EAAIF, a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) company managed by Ninety One, supported a senior secured loan of US$40mn for the development of the plant.
The transaction marks the first project-financed SAF plant in the MENA region.
The facility is designed to produce 200,000 tonnes per annum of biofuels, including SAF, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), bio-propane and bio-naphtha and will utilise commercially proven Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology to convert waste-based feedstock into high-grade sustainable fuel.
To ensure long-term bankability, the transaction will be anchored by Shell who will purchase the facility’s products on a take-or-pay basis and act as its primary feedstock provider.
Martijn Proos, co-head of emerging market alternative credit, Ninety One, the fund manager of EAAIF, said the transaction arrives at a critical juncture for the global energy market.
“Amid heightened geopolitical volatility and energy market uncertainty, this first-of-its-kind facility provides a practical solution to advancing both decarbonisation and energy security,”he said.
“By acting as the global mandated leadarranger, Ninety One and EAAIF are demonstrating how institutional capital can be mobilised to support the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, which is projected to account for 5% of global emissions by 2050 without intervention.”
The project is being developed with the support of regional sponsors, including Al Mana Holding, a Qatari diversified conglomerate, and Vision Invest, a Saudi Arabian infrastructure investor and developer.
Ninety One acted as the global mandated lead arranger and coordinating lender, facilitating the mobilisation of a total debt package of US$142.9mn with a US$40 million commitment from EAAIF and Ninety One’s Emerging Markets Transition Debt (EMTD) Fund.
Ninety One has also mobilised the participation of Qatar National Bank (QNB) via its Egyptian subsidiary, QNB S.A.E, with a commitment of up to US$31.4mn.
The debt financing was completed by The Arab Energy Fund, which acted as co-MLA and global structuring lender committed US$71.4mn to the project.
SAF is estimated to offer up to an 80% reduction in CO₂ emissions, compared to conventional jet fuel, supporting the aviation industry’s target of reaching net-zero by 2050.
The project's strategic location near the Suez Canal offers a direct export route to key demand centres in the EU and UK, which are currently implementing strict SAF mandates.
The transaction also demonstrates strong appetite among regional and international lenders for renewable fuels infrastructure, supporting both energy security and price stability amid heightened global volatility.
“Emerging markets have been transitioning toward renewables and cleaner energy sources for some time, driven by rising energy costs and the need to strengthen energy security,” said Alper Kilic, head of alternative credit, Ninety One.
“This investment highlights the critical role long-term capital plays in scaling next-generation energy infrastructure in emerging markets.”
He added that sustainable aviation fuel is “one of the most compelling – and challenging – decarbonisation pathways” requiring proven technology and strong commercial structures to deliver at scale.
“This project demonstrates how institutional investors can pursue attractive risk-adjusted returns while supporting the real-economy transition, and underscores the growing opportunity for transition debt strategies to finance high-impact assets in hard-to-abate sectors.”
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Supply chain boost for African businesses
AFC green bond to boost Ivorian solar sector
Vantage Capital, Greenpoint funding to boost SolarAfrica
Jendamark Automation’s catalytic converter shrinker machine integrates a 12- segment precision shrinking system, where SEW-EURODRIVE servo gear units and motion control software ensure each can is accurately reduced to predetermined dimensions based on mat weight and component tolerances. (Image source: SEW-EURODRIVE)
Innovative technology for ‘shrinking’ catalytic converters - designed and built in South Africa by Jendamark Automation for the global market - relies on the precision of SEW-EURODRIVE’s highly dynamic servo-geared units and software
Based in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, Jendamark Automation is a specialist in advanced automated assembly systems for powertrains, catalytic converters, hydrogen technologies and other automotive components. Yanesh Naidoo, executive innovations director at Jendamark Automation, says that 95% of the locally produced machines are exported and are in operation in Europe, India and the USA.
"The shrinking machine - or ‘shrinker’ - is a core component within our catalytic converter assembly cell," commented Naidoo.
“This cell is a highly automated production environment in which multiple machines, robots and laser measurement systems operate in coordination.”
The process begins with the core of a catalytic converter - a ceramic ‘brick’ or monolith, coated with precious metals such as platinum and palladium, that converts exhaust gases into less harmful emissions. This brick is wrapped in a thick spring-like insulation mat and inserted into an outer casing (or can) of stainless-steel. In this process, there are many variable factors to consider, he explains.
“Because the ceramic monolith is extruded and baked, its diameter can vary slightly - by two or three millimetres in a passenger vehicle converter and up to ten millimetres in a truck converter,” he said.
“This makes the size of every monolith slightly different.”
To secure the monolith inside the casing with the right spring load, the casing itself has to be adapted. This is the key function of the shrinking machine - to reshape the stainless steel casing to the exact diameter required for each brick and mat combination. Shrinking stainless steel to tolerances of 50 microns requires enormous force and control which the shrinker achieves by closing a set of heavy tapered segments around the can.
“For a passenger vehicle converter we use twelve segments, while for a commercial vehicle converter - which is larger - we use sixteen,” stated Naidoo. “We pull a massive steel ring back over those segments and as the ring moves the segments close in, collapsing the can evenly around the monolith.”
Driving that motion are two powerful SEW-EURODRIVE servo motor systems, each connected to precision roller screws that pull the ring from both sides. Synchronizing those drives is critical.
“If one side is pulled just a few millimetres more than the other, this will damage these very expensive roller screws,” he explains. “This is where SEW-EURODRIVE’s technology comes into its own; the drives and controllers keep the two motors synchronised to within very fine tolerances, even at the high speeds we need to hit our 30 second cycle times.”
The speed at which Jendamark Automation’s shrinker operates is one of its critical advantages, Naidoo emphasises, and this has been achieved through its innovative tool changer. He explains flexibility is particularly important in converter production for commercial-vehicles as variants change every few hours. Traditionally, each change required a lengthy manual tool change which would mean two to three hours of downtime.
“This is why we developed an automatic tool change system for the shrinker,” he says. “We have got two cartridges outside the machine, one of which is preloaded with the next set of 16 segments. When the operator hits ‘tool change’ the machine ejects the old set, inserts the new one and locks everything down - all automatically in about 45 seconds.”
That innovation, also powered by SEW-EURODRIVE servo drives, has transformed productivity.
“We have reduced tool changing times significantly, giving our customers more production time per shift, allowing them to produce around 80 additional parts,” he says. “With two or three tool changes a day, the gains are massive.”
The entire catalytic converter assembly cell can contain up to 30 SEW-EURODRIVE servo drives, powering and synchronising multiple machines – from laser measuring systems to robotic handlers. Behind the scenes, Jendamark’s proprietary Variant Manager software orchestrates these movements.
“Every part coming down the line is slightly different, so every 30 seconds a new set of parameters - such as diameters, spring loads and positions - is sent to the drives,” Naidoo continued. “There are no fixed positions so it is completely dynamic, adapting in real time.”
Parallel to this performance, he adds, is an equivalent focus on reliability as customers require minimal downtime to ensure that their processes and products remain viable. He notes that a USA customer, Cummins (through its acquisition of Faurecia’s USA factory), has been running Jendamark’s shrinker for almost six years - during which time it has produced over three million catalytic converters.
“Apart from greasing the screws, there has been no major maintenance and no drive failures at all,” he stated. “That is a testament to the robustness of our overall design and of the reliability of SEW-EURODRIVE equipment.”
The customer was so impressed that it decided to standardise globally on Jendamark’s machines.
“They had two other suppliers’ machines next to ours on the same line,” commented Naidoo. “Now they’re replacing those with Jendamark machines, because of reliability and consistency of quality.”
Phillip Steyn, Branch Manager at SEW-EURODRIVE in Gqeberha, says the project exemplifies how advanced motion control systems enable complex automation.
“Our MOVIAXIS multi-axis servo system, combined with our efficient servo motors and dynamic gearboxes, provides the accurate positioning and torque that this machine needs,” remarked Steyn. “The challenge was to deliver very high torque while maintaining precise synchronisation and feedback at rapid speeds.”
He notes that it is easier to be accurate when machinery is moving slowly but it becomes much more challenging in the context of high speed machines like this one. SEW-EURODRIVE’s control architecture ensures that every motion - from the synchronised pulling of the ring to the positioning of the auto-tool change mechanism - is tracked and verified before the next cycle begins.
“There is a great deal of feedback between the drive and the upper level controller,” Steyn explained. “The system scans the input data - the product types and can sizes - and adjusts torque and position in real time. It is the brain and the muscle working together.”
Naidoo highlights the value of SEW-EURODRIVE’ integrated unit - the motor, gearbox and drive - which is already matched for torque and speed.
