Mondi, a global packaging and paper leader, has reached a key sustainability milestone at its Merebank mill in Durban, South Africa, through the installation of a new turbine at the site’s power plant

With this development, the mill can now generate 60% of its own electricity, reducing reliance on grid power and enhancing efficiency.

The upgrade features a condensing steam turbine, new cooling towers, piping, and control systems, designed to harness excess steam from the mill’s boiler.

Highlighting the project’s significance, Donovan Naidoo, operations director at Mondi Merebank, said, “By generating power on site, we reduce our dependency on external electricity supply, reduce costs and take a step towards energy independence, climate resilience and long-term operational stability. Once the cooling tower upgrade is completed, the new turbine will produce more electricity than the mill consumes – a significant milestone in our journey towards self-sufficiency.”

Beyond greater energy independence, the turbine also supports a lower carbon footprint for the mill.

In parallel, the mill has finished two flood-resilience projects aimed at reducing risks from natural disasters. These include the installation of flood gates and inflatable flood barriers, enabling the rapid creation of water-catchment dams. These initiatives safeguard operations and surrounding communities during extreme weather, ensuring continuity.

Both the turbine generator and flood-defence projects align with the Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) sustainability commitments.

A powerful Kleemann plant train is making its mark at a granite quarry in Tanzania, showcasing strength, efficiency, and reliability

The set-up includes the MOBICAT MC 110 EVO2 jaw crusher, the MOBICONE MCO 90 EVO2 cone crusher, and the MOBISCREEN MSC 953 EVO screening plant, all working seamlessly together after an adventurous journey to reach the site.

A challenging journey to Mwanza

The Kleemann machines began their long trip from Europe to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. After clearing customs, they were transported by flatbed trucks, rail, and finally along a rugged ten-kilometre dirt road deep into the hinterland. Their final destination was a newly established quarry near Mwanza, close to Lake Victoria, where Sasco Trading is processing granite for infrastructure projects.

“The transport was quite complex and involved. It demonstrated just how important compact mobile plants are,” commented Markus Hofmann, Kleemann Area sales manager Africa. “All the machines were relatively easy to load and transport thanks to their compact design – which proved to be a real advantage on this project.”

Sasco trading’s ambitious entry into quarrying

Sasco Trading, a newcomer to the industry, has set its sights high as Tanzania pushes forward with major road construction projects. The company sees a strong role for itself in supplying essential materials.

The granite being processed is extremely hard, making equipment choice crucial. “We conducted an in-depth search to find out what equipment was available,” explains Sasco Trading owner Sabasi Shirima. With Kleemann already established as a leader in Tanzania and multiple plant trains in operation, the company opted for their proven reliability. “The crushing and screening plants have a very good reputation in Tanzania. This was ultimately the deciding factor for us. Now that we have seen the plants in operation, we know that we made the right decision.”

High output and low fuel use

The plant train processes granite up to 500 mm in size. The MOBICAT MC 110 EVO2 handles the primary crushing, while the MCO 90 EVO2 cone crusher ensures the right grain size and shape. The screening plant then classifies material into three end products: 0–6 mm, 6–10 mm, and 10–18 mm, with other variants available on demand.

With a capacity of 150 tons per hour, the system delivers exceptional performance alongside low fuel consumption: just 12 litres per hour for the MC 110 EVO2, 19 litres for the MCO 90 EVO2, and 16 litres for the screening plant.

Sabasi Shirima emphasises the decision was right: “The crushing and screening plants have a very good reputation in Tanzania. That was ultimately decisive for us. Now that we have the plants in operation, we know: Our decision was correct.”

Intelligent line coupling and automation

The Kleemann plant train benefits from intelligent line coupling and the Continuous Feed System (CFS), which ensure efficient material flow and maximise crusher utilisation. Machines communicate automatically to prevent overloading, and in case of an emergency stop, the entire system halts safely.

“Intelligent interlinking is one of the plant train’s outstanding features. Thanks to automated processes, our customers can look forward to much higher output and much less maintenance,” notes Kleemann expert Jerry Muchiri, who supported the project on site.

User-friendly operation with SPECTIVE

Training new operators was straightforward thanks to Kleemann’s SPECTIVE operating system. Some of Sasco’s team had prior experience with Kleemann equipment, but even newcomers found the system easy to navigate.

“Our employees found their way around very quickly,” says Sabasi Shirima. “The training was thorough but very easy to understand – and the operation afterwards was extremely straightforward.”

Strong on-site support

A ten-day visit from a Kleemann service technician ensured smooth commissioning and detailed operator training. Additional training sessions are available later, either on site or via video conference.

“We know that we won’t be left on our own with any issues in the future. That’s peace of mind,” highlights entrepreneur Sabasi Shirima.

Debmarine Namibia has announced a major advancement in marine diamond recovery with the unveiling of its Next Generation Crawlers, representing a significant leap in offshore recovery technology

This milestone coincides with the delivery of two 800NB crawlers (NB indicates Nominal Bore, the internal diameter of the crawler’s pipeline system) and an upgraded recovery system designed for seamless integration with the MV Benguela Gem.

These advanced crawlers showcase the forefront of marine engineering. Built to operate efficiently in coarser gravels and higher-density panels, they deliver a 20% boost in mining rates and extend pump life by 30%. Each crawler weighs 370 tonnes, redefining operational resilience and capability at sea.

The official unveiling and integration of the new generation crawler onto the MV Benguela Gem took place on 8 September, at Cape Town harbour.

Following the retirement of the MV Grand Banks and MV Coral Sea, the new crawlers are expected to boost Benguela Gem carat recovery by approximately 80,000 high-value carats annually. This increase is projected to more than offset the carats lost due to the retired vessels and aligns with the company’s strategic realignment to address reduced natural diamond demand.

Kevin Smith, chairman of the Debmarine Namibia Board, said, “We are confident that the new crawler investment combined with technological innovation and disciplined cost management, will position Debmarine Namibia to weather the downturn; and will put the company in a better position, poised for recovery when the natural diamond market demand strengthens.”

As the MV Benguela Gem readies for return to Namibian waters at the end of September 2025, Debmarine Namibia acknowledges the exceptional dedication and precision behind this achievement, particularly during financially challenging times. Training initiatives are underway to ensure safe and effective operation of the new systems, reinforcing the company’s commitment to capability development and shared value.

Shakwa Nyambe, board deputy chairperson, said, “This project is a clear example of how strategic foresight and technical excellence come together to deliver long-term value. The new crawlers are not just an upgrade, they are a platform for future innovation.”

“This milestone reflects the ingenuity, collaboration, and pioneering spirit that define Debmarine Namibia,” Smith added. “It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in marine diamond recovery.”

APM Terminals’ West African Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne has joined forces with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to drive decarbonisation efforts across Nigeria’s port and transport sector

The partnership was formalised on Monday, September 22, at the Dutch Consulate in New York during the Global African Business Initiative, where both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The MoU outlines a phased roadmap to electrify containerised freight, aligning with the policies of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

“We believe that Nigeria is ideally situated to lead West Africa’s transition to low-carbon logistics by electrifying its container transport sector,” said Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria. “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and trade hub, and our research shows us that the country can leapfrog fossil-fuel infrastructure and adopt proven electric technologies. We are therefore very optimistic about our joint plans to develop a phased roadmap towards an electrified future for container logistics.”

Responding to the MoU, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho stated, “By this development, the Onne Port will be the first green port in Nigeria and will thereby be promoting the decarbonisation efforts within the transportation ecosystem. This will also make Nigerian ports the leaders on the continent in terms of sustainable port operations.”

The collaboration, fully funded by APM Terminals with an investment of US$60mn, is expected to set a precedent for other African nations.

The agreement builds upon findings from a study APM Terminals presented to Nigeria’s vice-president at the Decarbonising Infrastructure in Nigeria Summit held in Abuja in July. The study highlighted that transitioning from fossil fuels to electrified container freight could attract private investment, generate skilled employment, and improve energy reliability. However, achieving these benefits will require close coordination across industries and robust public-private partnerships.

“For APM Terminals, partnerships are key to generating long-term growth and value in the countries where we operate,” said Jeethu Jose, managing director of WACT. “Our investments are for our shared future and for the people of the region. We look forward to driving this project alongside our stakeholders in the port industry.”

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the signing of a US$1.35bn financing facility for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL)

This forms part of a larger approximately US$4bn syndicated financing arrangement for DIL, Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate, with Afreximbank acting as the Mandated Lead Arranger for the syndication.

This transaction — one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African financial markets — will be used to refinance capital invested in the construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex, the world’s largest single-train refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The financing will reduce initial operational expenditures, strengthen DIL’s balance sheet, and support its ongoing growth.

Afreximbank’s contribution of US$1.35bn, the largest share among participating banks, highlights its commitment to major infrastructure projects that drive Africa’s industrialisation, energy security, and intra-African trade.

Since the refinery complex commenced operations in February 2024, Afreximbank has continued to provide financial support for crude supply and product offtake, ensuring smooth operations and reinforcing its role in Africa’s most significant refining project.

Commenting on the deal, Benedict Oramah, president & chairman of the board of directors at Afreximbank, said, “With this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate that Africa’s development can only be meaningfully financed from within. It is only when African institutions lead the way that others can follow. The journey to utilise African resources for its own economic transformation is well underway. Through the Bank’s funding support, we are enhancing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Ltd to produce and supply high quality refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market, as well as for export to the entire continent and the world. Our energy security is in sight.”

Aliko Dangote, CEO, Dangote Industries Limited, added, “Afreximbank’s contribution to this milestone financing underscores our shared vision to industrialise Africa from within. This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s suppy of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa.”

The syndicated facility attracted strong interest from major African and international financial institutions, reflecting confidence in Africa’s industrial growth and in Dangote’s vision for transforming the continent.

The introduction of SEW-EURODRIVE’s TrueDNA package responds directly to challenges faced by industry when mixing components from multiple suppliers in a drive solution

Performance inconsistencies, compatibility issues and support gaps have often compromised efficiency and reliability.

By offering a complete power pack solution from a single original equipment manufacturer (OEM) comprising the highest quality components, SEW-EURODRIVE ensures every component works in perfect harmony - guaranteeing optimum performance, streamlined support for extended warranties and peace of mind.

TrueDNA from SEW-EURODRIVE, a global leader in automation and drive technology, is a fully integrated turnkey drive solution designed for maximum flexibility, performance and efficiency. Engineered to cover a wide range of power, torque and speed characteristics, it can be easily adapted to drive various equipment across multiple heavy industries.

“A major advantage of the TrueDNA package is the significant reduction in lead times,” commented Jonathan McKey, national sales and marketing manager at SEW-EURODRIVE. “Because the majority of components are stocked items, customers can typically expect delivery within six to eight weeks from date of order - a notable improvement compared to traditional sourcing processes. This means quicker access to the latest technological advancements without lengthy delays, enabling customers to start production sooner, generate revenue faster and achieve savings on shorter timelines.

Each TrueDNA solution typically includes a base plate, gearbox, coupling and motor - all precisely matched to ensure seamless compatibility and optimum operational performance. Most customers opting for TrueDNA have selected the innovative X.e series gearbox, renowned for its enhanced efficiency, durability and energy-saving features.

The drive train is pre-filled with the customer’s lubrication of choice, although SEW-EURODRIVE recommends its latest advanced oil technology which offers extended lifetime, superior lubrication
properties and improved efficiency in power transfer. With proper maintenance, customers can further reduce costs through extended oil change intervals.

“Choosing the TrueDNA package not only means acquiring cutting-edge drive technology, but also gaining additional value through extended warranties and complimentary maintenance training for end-user personnel,” McKey noted. “We are committed to ensuring optimum long term performance
and supporting our customers’ operational excellence.

With TrueDNA, SEW-EURODRIVE redefines industrial drive solutions - simplifying procurement, optimising performance and delivering a future-ready package built to meet the toughest demands of modern industry.