Alternative Building Technologies take centre stage in Africa’s largest exhibition
In a bid to boost alternative building technologies (ABTs), Sasol ChemCity, Sasol’s enterprise development arm, will showcase how this new innovative approach to construction can be applied in the local industry.
More than 9 000 visitors from across the construction industry are expected at this year’s Eco-Afribuild exhibition to be held at Nasrec Exhibition Centre from 15 – 18 August 2012.
The exhibition aims to raise awareness around ABTs in South Africa by looking at energy and resource efficiency and will include a workshop and speaker symposium sponsored by Sasol ChemCity.
Sasol ChemCity will showcase the entrepreneurs’ innovation in the industry and how they are setting the standard for an eco-friendly future in construction.
Sasol ChemCity’s prominent role in the ABT industry provides great opportunity to create awareness in the market around alternative technologies, and to excite architects and engineers on how to use these technologies.
“It is important to sustain the momentum surrounding alternative technologies. With the anticipated changes in national building regulations, we have led business development in this space. This is a chance for us to create a platform where we can initiate constructive discussion with stakeholders in the industry,” said Serenta Ramraj, Specialist Business Analyst, Sasol ChemCity.
In keeping with the innovation theme, Sasol ChemCity’s approach to this exhibition will turn heads, as eight of its incubatees will be exhibiting their products. Architects will have to decide how to use those products as they team up to design a Mini-Max house – a building that minimises costs and maximises efficiency. The design process will take place in a workshop during the three-day event.
The design will then be used to construct a functional building on a yet to be identified site where Sasol ChemCity is involved with. “We want to make this more than just a concept on a piece of paper. We want to take that design and make it real,” said Ramraj.
Eight ChemCity-incubated entrepreneurs will exhibit
Exhibiting Sasol ChemCity’s incubatees include: DV8 Alternative Building Solutions; Apple.Tec; Ingelosi; Adventure Shells; Agriligna; Extravaganza; Build Direct and Magpro. These entrepreneurs will be showcasing their products that Sasol ChemCity helped to establish in the industry.
Making sense of the new National Building Regulations on energy efficiency
The Sasol ChemCity’s Speaker Symposium and panel discussion will provide a platform to discuss the changes in the National Building Regulations that took place in October last year. It has become mandatory to have energy-efficient buildings in South Africa.
Architects have expressed the need to understand how to interpret new regulations, how to source the appropriate ABTs and how to access relevant technical information to apply them. This event will create the platform to start the learning journey.
Key note Address
Serenta Ramraj will deliver the key note address at the summit. Her presentation, titled ‘The Truth About Innovation,’ will share how Sasol ChemCity’s innovative integrated approach to Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) development enables entrepreneurs to overcome challenges in starting up and growing their businesses.
For more information please contact Eshmael Mpabanga on 079 385 1945 or email [email protected] .
