Name of the Project
Supercritical carbon dioxide encapsulation facility (SCEF).

Location
South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Project Description
The SCEF will address the innovation chasm that exists in the industrialisation of supercritical carbon dioxide-based encapsulation technologies, enable local small, medium-sized and microenterprises and firms to undertake field trials, and assist in investigating the market uptake of their technologies.

The unique advantage of the SCEF technology is that it encapsulates sensitive actives used in animal and human health, such as probiotics, proteins and vitamins, in an inert environment without exposure to moisture, oxygen and solvents, while operating at low temperatures, thereby preserving the activity of the materials.

This is key in providing a balanced nutrition for human health, livestock, improving feed digestibility, and reducing overall feed requirements, leading to production-cost savings.

The CSIR pilot-scale SCEF will have a production capacity of up to 100 kg/h of product, producing products for a wide range of applications, which includes personal care to nutraceuticals.

In addition, as the end-products will be used in food (nutraceuticals for human and animal use) and personal care products, the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point safety system will be implemented across the facility.

The establishment of this pilot facility at the CSIR will allow for industry access to CSIR scientists for new product development and technology transfer. It will also allow for the derisking of technologies, as it will provide industries with an opportunity to evaluate the technology for their actives and market uptake before investing capital for a full-scale commercial facility.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The CSIR has been awarded R25.9-million by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)for the project.

Planned Start/End Date
The facility is expected to be operational in 2022.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
CSIR media relations manager David Mandaha, tel +27 12 841 3654 or email dmandaha@csir.co.za.
DSI deputy director: media liaison Veronica Mohapeloa, tel +27 12 843 6788.