Africa’s first zero solid waste eco-industrial park was launched in Johannesburg this week and according to authorities it is expected to attract over R10 billion in initial CAPEX investments.

Designed and developed by Eco-Industrial Solutions (EIS), the Limpopo Eco-Industrial Park (LEIP) will be the continent’s first economically viable, zero solid waste eco-industrial park.

Located in Musina on over 6 400 hectares between the border town and Beitbridge, the park will feature

• an integrated nature reserve;
• two residential eco-estates;
• 80 chalets on the Limpopo waterfront inside the nature park;
• the country’s first plasma waste gasifiers;
• syngas clean-up;
• two off-channel storage dams (with 20 mil m3 capacity);
• 200 MW Eskom power supply and an additional 35 MW solar power for housing and agro-processing; emergency services;
• a world class logistics service, among others.

A strong focus on the environment

A key feature of the park is its design by various ecologists and heritage specialists, with a strong focus on the environment and local communities. “The site layout minimises environmental impact, with over 2 000 hectares allocated as private nature park to preserve environmentally sensitive areas,” explains Deshika Kathawaroo, CEO of Eco-Industrial Solutions.

The park will ensure a sustainable water supply for the LEIP, with bulk floodwater from the Limpopo River being extracted and directed to three off-channel storage dams. Two of these dams have already been approved by the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Transformation, job creation and skills development

Kathawaroo notes that while the project will spend R9.9 billion during basic infrastructure construction, a further R5.4 billion is estimated to flow into the region annually during the initial operational phase.

“Since 2011 our team has completed over 30 market and feasibility studies to identify potentially viable projects, with prospective local and international manufacturers already being approached to invest.”

Key MOUs signed with Transnet, SAFCEC (the South African Forum for Civil Engineering Contractors), LEDA and Lepelle Northern Water will pave the way for the first phase of development, with transformation, local job creation, and skills development and transfer critical priorities.