On 3 November 2022, researchers from South Africa’s first Industrial Biocatalysis Hub (IBH), hosted at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will brief the media on the progress made in driving the uptake of biocatalysis, an environmentally friendly and cost- effective technology that South Africa’s biomanufacturing industry can leverage to reduce its carbon footprint.
The briefing will take place during the 8th Biennial CSIR Conference at the CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC), Pretoria, which will be held on 2 and 3 November 2022 and will gather top biocatalysis experts and industry beneficiaries to showcase how local enterprises are leveraging this green chemistry-based technology to produce unique, high-value products for cosmetic, biopharmaceutical and industrial biologics markets, to name a few.
A postdoctoral researcher and a BSc Honours intern, who are being mentored and trained through the programme, will also share their experience of the mentoring and training they received through the IBH’s skills development programme.
Biocatalysis is a technology that has swooped into the global biomanufacturing market as the world continues to grapple with climate change. Unlike conventional manufacturing methods, biocatalysis uses enzymes and microorganisms to develop environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and products.
The hub, which was commissioned and is being funded by the Department of Science and Innovation alongside the Technology Innovation Agency, provides technical product and process support to enterprises in the biomanufacturing sector. Since its inception, the hub has opened its doors to three enterprises and made its well-equipped facility and expertise accessible to support the enterprises in the research and development of technologies for product manufacturing.
