Upington Algae Plant
Project Description
The establishment of a national facility for the development and demonstration of various microalgae technologies to be used in the production of high-value biochemical products with high commercial potential. The ultimate aim in the establishment of an Algae Park/Hub which will impact on economic- and socio-economic development and present opportunities for investment in Upington and in the region.
Key Information:
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- Economic sector: Agriculture
- Economic sub-sector: Agro-processing – for the extraction of high-value biochemicals for the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries (amongst others).
Preparatory exercises:
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- Feasibility study completed;
- Business plan developed;
- Funding secured from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), R25.7-million;
- Funding secured from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), R9.4-million.
Next phases:
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- Securing of R9-million for the bricks and mortar phase of the facility;
- Implementation of the pre-construction phase;
- Commencement of the construction (pre-operational) phase;
- Commencement of the operational phase(s).
Potential impact:
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- Economic- and socio-economic development;
- Job creation, especially in the future Algae Park;
- High-level technical and business training for career development;
- Increase exports;
- Reduced imports;
- Opportunity for investment in Upington and the Northern Cape.
Investment required:
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- R500 000 to appoint a Service Provider to secure the funding required for the bricks & mortar portion of the Centre within the next four – six months;
- R9.142-million for the bricks and mortar portion of the Centre.
Contact
Interested parties are encouraged to contact the project team with a brief description of their interest(s) in being part of the project:
