Extrusion, a high-pressure cooking process, has revolutionised the food, feed, plastic and powder paint industries, among many others. Small wonder, then, that the annual ExtruAfrica conference, training seminar and exhibition is such an eagerly anticipated event for manufacturers from South Africa and other African countries.
The sixth ExtruAfrica event, bringing together academics, industry, government, international experts and stakeholders, takes place at the Roots Lifestyle Centre in Potchefstroom from 1 to 4 August 2017.
It is jointly organised by the North-West University’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CFAM), the Process Engineering Research and Development Centre of Texas A&M University, and the extrusion and advanced manufacturing cluster of the South African Department of Trade and Industry.
Extrusion holds promise for addressing Africa’s food security challenges as it is relatively inexpensive, energy-efficient and easily operated. Prebuilt extrusion plants are fast and cost-effective to deploy, can be placed virtually anywhere and can begin manufacturing immediately.
How ExtruAfrica fits in
ExtruAfrica gives delegates the opportunity to gain insight and learn from international and local experts on the applications of extrusion. They will also learn about funding opportunities for establishing extrusion plants and be able to attend practical extrusion demonstrations and meet extrusion stakeholders. It is an excellent networking event for all role players in the extrusion value chain.
The four-day event starts off with a training seminar on 1 and 2 August. International and local experts will give practical demonstrations and share knowledge on how to add value to agricultural products through extrusion.
This is followed by an international conference and exhibition on 3 and 4 August. The speakers will include Mr Brand Pretorius, retired CEO of McCarthy Ltd, Dr Herman van Schalkwyk, CEO of Suidwes and former rector of the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom, Mr Doug Baldwin, director for business development of Wenger and Prof LJ Grobler, acting executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the NWU.
They will be giving practical advice and guidelines on, among other things, business success in a rapidly changing South Africa, the value of developing integrated value chains, the role of extrusion in developing sustainable businesses in developing countries and the potential for agro-processing industry development in Africa.
“It is an event not to be missed as ExtruAfrica opens up a world of commercial possibilities for all those interested in extrusion and finding real solutions to food challenges,” says Prof LJ Grobler, acting executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering.
He says everyone is welcome to register for the event. “ExtruAfrica is not only for those who want to get involved in extrusion, it is also a wonderful opportunity for all those who have just heard about it to experience first-hand the products and technology that make extrusion an exciting and game-changing process.”
For more information about ExtruAfrica and to register for the event, visit the website at: www.extruafrica.org.za
For the latest updates and photos of ExtruAfrica, follow the ExtruAfrica Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ExtruAfrica.info/
For any further information, please contact Prof LJ Grobler at the email address lj.grobler@nwu.ac.za or Liané van den Bergh at liane.vandenbergh@nwu.ac.za.
