From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report. European aircraft maker Airbus Military has signed an important new contract with South Africa’s Aerosud. Keith Campbell reports.

Keith Campbell:
The new contract means that Aerosud will manufacture the fuselage linings, cockpit linings, galleys and wing tips of the A400M airlifter for the entire life time of the aircraft programme. Airbus Vice President: International Cooperation, Simon Ward, explains Airbus’s view of the contract.

Airbus Vice President: International Cooperation, Simon Ward

Keith Campbell:
Aerosud group MD Dr Paul Potgieter explains the significance of the deal for his company.

Aerosud group MD Dr Paul Potgieter

Shannon de Ryhove:
As the potential benefits of biogas comes into focus decades after its first introduction, the Southern African Biogas Industry Association (Sabia) is moving to create greater awareness and fast track the development of a local biogas industry. Natasha Odendaal has the story.

Natasha Odendaal:
While the South African renewable-energy sector has proven to produce 1.9 jobs for every MW installed, the biogas industry could turn into a R10-billion industry, stimulating the manufacturing sector with the development of biogas-specific products and services and creating five to ten times the number of jobs that other renewable-energy projects do.

Sabia chairperson Mark Tiepelt, who has his own small-scale biogas plant at his home, highlights the applications of a small-scale and a commercial large-scale biogas plant:

Sabia chairperson Mark Tiepelt

Shannon de Ryhove:
Other news making headlines this week: Paramount Trailers lifts its capacity with a R150-million investment; and Metering specialist Sensus Metering Systems offers local municipalities a water loss solution.

Local commercial trailer manufacturer Paramount Trailers last month unveiled its new 75 000m2 manufacturing facility in Midvaal, Johannesburg, which has expanded the company’s production capacity from 40 to more than 250 trailers a month.

Paramount Trailers MD Warren Marques

While water-scarce South Africa requires R670-billion for its water sector over the next ten years to keep up with growing demand, inefficiencies in the country’s water systems need to be dealt with as a matter of urgency, says water metering and smart grid specialist Sensus Metering Systems South Africa MD Basil Bold.

Sensus Metering Systems South Africa MD Basil Bold

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.