The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) hosted yet another successful “Introduction to PVC Course” on the 9th and 10th of November 2022, with sixteen industry professionals attending the two-day course at Sasol’s Polymer Tech Centre in Modderfontein.

Monique Holtzhausen, CEO of SAVA, confirmed that this was the first in-person course they were able to hold in more than two years owing to the recent COVID pandemic.

“Although we had great success hosting online courses, it was wonderful to experience stronger connections between the attendees and the presenters. As a result, new friendships and networks were forged, the discussions were lively, and we were even able to include a physical tour of Sasol's testing facilities”, she said.

The course covered the basics of polymers, the production process for vinyl, and an overview of the regional vinyl industry. Delegates also had the good fortune of having Sasol experts walk them through the various polymers vinyl grades, vinyl stabilization, vinyl additives, conversion and applications, vinyl mixing and processing, and PVC testing. Day 2 of the course took a closer look at SAVA's Product Stewardship Commitments with regards to responsible production, but also focussed on PVC recycling in South Africa and how South Africa is successfully recycling of non-hazardous PVC waste from hospitals with the My Walk Made with Soul Project.

Congratulations to Johannes Nkosi and Leon Meintjies (Arengo Plastics), Sanet Cilliers (Omya Idwala), Funky Minyuku, Nkitseng Ntwayagae, Bushy Kgopolo, Francinah Keabonye and Tumisang Ontlogetse (Flotek Africa), Hellen Lamola, Titus Boloko, Pontsho Radebe, Pertunia Mothoa, Joseph Tshabalala and, Ayanda Zwane (SASOL), Marinus Jordaan (Odd Binn Recyclers) and Kate Kleingeld (Plastic and Chemical Trading) on the following successfully completing the course and being awarded their Certificates of Completion.

"We anticipate holding our following course in March 2023. The feedback we received from the attendees and presenters was excellent, and everyone agreed that they had benefitted from attending. Future training topics that we received thoughtful feedback on will undoubtedly be incorporated into our syllabus. SAVA would like to express its gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event's success, especially the presenters, Sasol for opening up their facilities to us, and Polyflor SA for printing the course materials," Monique concludes.