The National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) will be hosting its biennial Industrial Efficiency Conference in Cape Town in its on-going efforts to capacitate industrial and commercial sectors to become cleaner, greener and more resource efficient. The conference, a two day event offered at no cost to delegates, will take place on 14 and 15 September 2017.

The theme of the conference is Transitioning industry to a low carbon economy and will offer workshops, presentations and panel discussions on a range of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) methodologies.

Companies can expect to receive information on better use of energy, water, materials and waste,
as well as legislation and policy that may affect their operations. The presentation of successful case
studies will form an integral part of the two-day programme.

The NCPC-SA is a national programme, funded by the dti and hosted at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that exists to support industrial companies to reduce their environmental impact through the use of RECP. The biennial conference is offered as one of these support mechanisms, which is why there is no cost for attendance.

“We host the event in a different province each year,” explains Julie Wells, marketing and Communication Manager of the NCPC-SA. “The 2013 event in Gauteng was the first, followed by an even more successful conference in Durban in July 2015.” She explains that the conference is an opportunity to expose companies to government policy and support programmes, new research and methodologies, the successes and lessons of other companies, and the opportunities for skills development in the green economy.

Both days will include a non-commercial exhibition, allowing delegates to interact with government and industry
programmes that may be of assistance. The conference programme is structured to allow delegates to move between themed tracks, and will address a broad range of relevant topics.

Thursday 14 September will look at the areas needed to create resilient companies and sectors. The day one programme will present practical solutions for any company wishing to transition to a cleaner, more sustainable and environmentally conscious organisation. Topics will include energy efficiency, water efficiency, industrial symbiosis, waste management, green productivity, localisation and clean technology.

A session on the tools and programmes of the NCPC-SA will provide companies with an introduction to resource efficient and cleaner production, and guide any organisation on the first steps and subsidised services that will begin their low carbon journey.

Friday 15 September will delve a little deeper and focus on creating competitive advantage through resource efficient and cleaner production. The sessions will address “next step” topics such as renewable energy, sustainability reporting, green funding, sustainable value chains, and the professionalization of the RECP sector. A highlight of day two will be the track on Life Cycle Thinking, which will address the concept of eco-innovation; measuring the carbon and water footprint of a product along the entire value chain.

The NCPC-SA has once again partnered with other support programmes and organisations to present a holistic solution to industry. Partners at the conference include the dti, the Departments of Trade and industry and the Environment, the CSIR, Proudly South African, Productivity South Africa, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), UN Environment, the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme, the Technology Localisation Implementation Unit, and the Global Reporting Initiative.

Date and venue
The conference will be held at the Century City Conference Centre, in Cape Town, on 14 and 15 September 2017 and is expected to draw 400 delegates from industry, business and government. Both days of the conference will include an exhibition of key partners and contributors to the green economy.

Attendance is free of charge, but registration is essential, at www.ncpc.co.za/conference

For more information, email ncpc@csir.co.za or call 012 841 3772 or 021 658 2776
The National Cleaner production Centre South Africa is the industrial resource efficiency programme
of the department of Trade and Industry (the dti), hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). www.ncpc.co.za

Media enquiries:
Julie Wells, NCPC-SA 074 8999 819 / jwells@csir.co.za