On Tuesday, 23 August 2022, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, and the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy, will officiate the hand-over of the biodegradation assessment laboratory equipment to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria.

The laboratory equipment forms part of a three-year project funded by the government of Japan, through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to combat the marine plastic litter issue in South Africa. This follows a bilateral meeting, which was held between the President of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, and the late Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Shinzo Abe, on 29 June 2019, prior to the G20 Osaka Summit. During that meeting, the Prime Minister committed that Japan would make funds available to assist South Africa in addressing the leakage of plastic waste into the environment, especially in the marine.

The laboratory equipment, which will be handed over by UNIDO to the CSIR, includes a respirometer, an automated titration system and an elemental analyser. This will enable the CSIR, through their Biodegradation Facility, to test and verify biodegradation claims of alternative materials, including compostable plastics, as viable alternatives for problematic products.

The event will be attended by a high-level delegation, which will consist of the Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Mr Norio Maruyama, senior members from UNIDO, as well as the CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini.

Media is invited as follows:

Handover ceremony
Date: Tuesday, 23 August 2022
Time: 09:30 – 11:35
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria

Biodegradation Facility laboratory opening and tour

Date: Tuesday, 23 August 2022
Time: 11:40 – 12:20
Venue: CSIR Building 1
 

To RSVP: Please send an email to Chumisa Ndlazi: CNdlazi@csir.co.za by Monday, 22 August 2022.

NB: Please remember to bring your identification document, passport or driver’s license to access to the CSIR campus.

-ENDS-
 

Issued by CSIR Strategic Communications

For more information, contact:

David Mandaha: CSIR Media Relations Manager
Tel: 012 841 3654
Mobile: 072 126 8910
Email: dmandaha@csir.co.za 

About the CSIR:

The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za

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