Welcome to the 13th edition of the South African Business journal. First published in 2011, the publication has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to South Africa, supported by an e-book edition and website at www.southafricanbusiness.co.za.
A special feature in this journal focusses on the vital focus on infrastructure that is seizing the attention of the political and business leadership of South Africa. This is not the arena of endless talk shops. Rather, 160 CEOs of some of the country’s most influential companies are rolling up their sleeves and trying to make things work better. The article looks at steps being taken by a combination of the public and private sectors to beef up the country’s railways, ports and energy network. Crime is also under the spotlight. As this journal goes to print, South Africa will ascend to the presidency of the G20, a singular honour and an opportunity for the country to put its best foot forward. A brief overview of each of the country’s provinces is also provided.
South African Business is complemented by nine regional publications covering the business and investment environment in each of South Africa’s provinces. The e-book editions can be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com. These unique titles are supported by a monthly business e-newsletter with a circulation of over 35 000. The Journal of Africa Business joined the Global African Network stable of publications as an annual in 2020 and is now published quarterly.
FOCUSVirgin consumption
FOCUSVirgin consumption by application 2023.Although South Africa’s plastics industry is relativelysmall on a global scale, representing less than 0.4% ofglobal production, it remains the largest in Sub-SaharanAfrica. In 2023, 1 568kt of virgin polymer were used inthe production of plastics across a variety of industries.The packaging sector dominated consumptionat 48.2%, followed by building and construction(12.5%), agriculture (9.4%), electronics (6.4%) and theautomotive industry (6.3%).figures position South Africa as a leader in mechanicalplasticsrecycling, outperforming many developednations in mechanical recycling of thin polyethylene filmsand contaminated post-consumer plastics.Despite these successes, there are still significantquantities of recyclable plastic waste ending up inlandfills. Increasing both the quantity and quality ofrecycled plastics is crucial to driving the circularity ofthe plastics industry.Recycling growth and challengesEmployment and economic impactRecyclate market 2023: local markets for 415 800tons of recyclate.Recycling continues to be a dynamic area within theplastics industry. An impressive 431 800 tons of plastics wererecycled in 2023, up from 368 800 tons in 2022. This resultedin an input recycling or collection rate of 52%, a significantincrease from 42.9% the previous year. The output recyclingrate also rose, reaching 27.5% from 22.9% in 2022. TheseFormal and informal jobs 2023.The recycling sector remains a critical source ofemployment, particularly within the informaleconomy. In 2023, an estimated 95 900 incomegeneratingopportunities were sustained, includingwaste pickers and smaller entrepreneurial collectors.SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 202572
The industry contributed over R4.7-billion to thesupply chain, including the informal sector, forcollecting 671 200 tons for recycling.International and local policy concernsAs the world prepares for the INC-5 meeting inBusan, South Korea, Plastics SA has expressedconcerns over global moves to regulate Chemicalsof Concern (CoC) through a standardised list.The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee(INC) falls under the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP). Hanekom emphasises thatwhile the industry supports efforts to curb plasticpollution, it opposes blanket regulations and listsof CoCs, advocating for a more flexible, risk-basedapproach that considers local socio-economicconditions. He warned that such lists could have adetrimental effect on South Africa’s economy andits burgeoning plastics-recycling industry.Commitment to circular economyPlastics SA reaffirms its commitment to supportinga circular economy, urging the design of productswith recyclability in mind and the developmentof collection and recycling systems that allow forthe highest quality recyclate. The organisation isalso pushing for international treaties that promotesustainable product design and public-privatepartnerships to boost waste management andrecycling efforts.Conclusion“South Africa’s plastics industry continues to bea vital contributor to the Sub-Saharan economy,playing a significant role in the country’ssustainable development and the globalfight against plastic pollution. The latest datahighlights a thriving plastics recycling sector,with rising recycling rates and decreasing relianceon fossil fuels. This progress reflects growingawareness and support for recycling, driven inpart by the efforts of Producer ResponsibilityOrganisations (PROs). These positive trendsare encouraging as we approach the INC-5negotiations later this year. We applaud our rawmaterial producers, converters, recyclers, productdesigners, brand owners and consumers who arecollectively advancing South Africa’s recyclingindustry and achieving these notable milestones.Although there is still ample potential for furthergrowth, we celebrate the active participation ofall stakeholders in building a robust, sustainablerecycling industry,” Hanekom concludes.For more information, visit www.plasticsinfo.co.zaTonnages recycledfrom 2011-2023.Tonnagesrecycled 2024.
