OVERVIEW
Manufacturing Free State manufacturing is weighted towards advanced technology.
Executive Director of Kevali Chemicals, Funeko Khumalo, on the factory floor with members of the SAB Accelerator team.
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asolburg in the northern Free State is a key asset in South Africa’s highly developed chemicals industry. International giant Sasol has the biggest presence but companies such as Omnia and AECI are other major companies which give the Free State the lead in this sector which relies on advanced technology. Sasol in particular is faced with some tough decisions in the short term as its plants must start to comply with stricter sulphur dioxide emission standards. Manufacturing makes up 9% of Free State gross domestic product, and this comprises 4% of South Africa’s total. The Free State Regional Industrialisation Policy is being reviewed to ensure integration of infrastructure, bulk service provision, industrial sites and export and tax incentives to attract investment. The existing manufacturing sector has capacity in many sectors including chemicals, agri-processing, textiles, carpets, engineering, packaging, furniture and jewellery. About 20% of the Free State’s manufacturing sites are devoted to FREE STATE BUSINESS 2020
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SECTOR INSIGHT A new chemicals plant has been launched in the MAP Special Economic Zone. food and beverages, with softdrink giant Coca-Cola Fortune operating a large bottling plant in Mangaung. Landzicht Wine Cellar, an operation that distributes 2.4-million litres of wine every year from Jacobsdal, has recently built a new bottling plant. Innovation in manufacturing is encouraged at the Product Development Technology
