R&D initiative to solve refractory problems

10th August 2012

By: Zandile Mavuso

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

  

Font size: - +

As better raw materials become available for use in the refractory sector, the need for improved product development continues to grow, says refractory manufacturer Keramicalia MD Dave Onderstall.

The manufacturer has enhanced its research and devel- opment (R&D) department, which seeks solutions to prolems facing the industry by approaching experienced, retired engineers to join the company as private entrepreneurs.

The core of the company is focused on product development, states Onderstall.

“In the past, companies went to State-owned institutions for R&D and problem-solving purposes, paid a lot of money and sometimes failed to get solutions,” he says.

He adds that Keramicalia has employed a different R&D strategy, which will prove to be more cost effective for its customers.

“Customers set well- defined, measurable goals and Keramicalia quotes a price for achieving those goals. The customer pays Keramicalia only once the result is achieved,” he points out.

Onderstall believes that getting retired engineers to subcontract on the R&D projects will provide the R&D department with experience and knowledge that are not available among new graduates.

“We also target retired engineers because they are not dependent on a steady income,” he says.

Expansion

Since the expansion of the R&D department, Keramicalia has also expanded the business beyond the refractory industry.

It thus became necesary to approach top retired engineers from different industries to be part of the R&D subcontracted projects.

“The cross-pollination between the top experts in diverse fields promises to yield some mind-blowing technologies. The workload is escalating and Keramicalia’s R&D department is recruiting more experts,” comments Onderstall.

 

Further, the reduction of carbon footprints is of importance to the refractory industry and Keramicalia has set aside 40% of its R&D programme to focus on cost reduction and efficiency technologies.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION