Several organisations leading South Africa into the Fourth Industrial Revolution were recognized at the African Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Awards, presided over by the DTI  at the Tramways in Port Elizabeth on 27 November 2019.

Awards were made to 11 organisations in six categories, according to the organisers, as a means to identify, promote and reward innovation in the advanced manufacturing and composites industry, including 3D printing, robotics, AI and automation.

The top Award Winners were Prof Anton du Plessis of Stellenbosch University (Scholarly Impact in Advanced Manufacturing) Rubber Nano Products ( Industry Advancement in Advanced Manufacturing), Aerosud/Pioneer Plastics (Import Replacement),  Acoustex (Export Proficiency), DataProphet (Innovation) and Alvarita (Best Start-up).

Aircraft component manufacturer Aerosud was acknowledged for working with Pioneer plastics in roto-moulding of aircraft parts to develop the capability which replaced previously imported components.

Rubber Nano products  a chemical technology company that manufactures a novel activator, scooped the award for industry Advancement.  This patented product allows for highly energy efficient rubber article manufacture that is curing faster (with large production benefits) while achieving greater rubber properties.

In the innovation category Data Prophet  were rewarded for their AI work and "Deep learning" in the manufacturing environment, where an AI has produced astounding results on factory efficiency.

Alvarita claimed the Best Start-up award  for GreenTest,  a compact device that tests nitrate levels in fruit, vegetables, meat, and water, helping people to quantify their daily nitrate intake and make healthier choices. This device accurately detects dangerous nitrate content in more than 64 different types of Fruit & Vegetable. It also measures  background radiation of a particular object.

Andy Radford of the Mandela Bay Composites Cluster, co-ordinator of the awards, which is an element of the Annual African Advanced Manufacturing and Composites Show, said the awards submissions was an indication of the capability South Africa has to operate and excel in 4ir technologies.

"There was once again a high standard of entry and it is clear that South African companies need not stand back internationally.  What is critical is that we widen the base of companies operating at this global standard and that is what in part the awards aim to do,'' Radford said.

Full List of Winners

Category A:  Scholarly Impact - Prof Anton du Plessis, University of Stellenbosch

Category B:  Industry Advancement n Advanced Manufacturing - Rubber Nano Products

Category C:  Export proficiency in Advanced Manufacturing - Acoustex

Category D:  Award that acknowledges import replacement - Aerosud Aviation & Pioneer Plastics

Category E:  Trophy for displaying innovation - Data Prophet

Category F:  Most promising 'start-up or newcomer' - Alvarita