Gqeberha, South Africa, 4 December 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), together with the Government of Flanders, ABInBev and Waterleau,
will be hosting an event to launch the recent expansion at Project Imifino at the Ibhayi Brewery in Qheberha.
Event Details:
Date: 4 December 2024
Time: 08:30 – 13:15
Location: Ibhayi Brewery, Perseverance, Gqeberha
Overview:
Project Imifino is a high-impact demonstration project applying a circular economy approach to integrate crop production and effluent treatment to create a profitable, sustainable local value chain from brewery wastewater. In 2020, Eastern Cape-based enterprise TaylorMade Water Solutions partnered with AB InBev to develop Imifino” (meaning “vegetables”) at the Ibhayi Brewery in Gqeberha. This novel food crop-producing effluent treatment system is the product of over 10 years of research between Rhodes University, South African Breweries and other partners, including the Water Research Commission and the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
Covering an area of 2000m2 Project Imifino uses integrated constructed wetlands and raised hydroponic beds to capture the nutrient potential in the effluent from the brewery. This cleans the water so that it can be reused in the brewery (after undergoing further UF/RO treatment) and produces fresh crops instead of sludge. Some 1500 kg of fresh produce – mostly spinach – are thus grown weekly for local sale, with eight jobs created and ongoing research and collaboration opportunities.
In March 2022, Imifino was selected as a pilot project for support under the South Africa Industry Adaptation (SAIA) project, which is funded by the Flemish Government and
implemented by UNIDO, in cooperation with the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa and the Technology Innovation Agency. The SAIA project supported Project Imifino in procuring a containerised ultrafiltration solution, which was supplied and co-funded by Flemish technology company Waterleau. The advanced equipment will enable the wetland to produce in excess of 250 m3 per day of effluent suitable for direct onsite re-use by the brewery and contribute to water security for the surrounding communities.
Considering the high impact of this project for the region and its potential for replicability and scalability, the project developers have kindly agreed to host this launch event for key
stakeholders in South Africa. To indicate your interest in attending the event and/or setting up an interview, please contact Petro de Wet on p.dewet@unido.org or 060 979 1359.
Key Highlights:
- Perspectives from key stakeholders
- Presentations:
o On Project Imifino, the recent expansion and its impact on water security in the
area
o Site visit to Project Imifino at Ibhayi Brewery
