Browsing by Subject "Fossil fuels"

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    Open Access
    Converting plant biomass to fuels and commodity chemicals in South Africa: A third chapter?
    (2003) Lynd, L R; Von Blottnitz, H; Tait, B; De Boer, J; Pretorius, I S; Rumbold, K; Van Zyl, W H
    There have been two distinct chapters in the history of converting cellulosic biomass to fuels and commodity chemicals in South Africa. The first chapter, fromthe late 1970s to the early 1990s, involved some of the most active research and development efforts of their kind anywhere in the world. Thereafter, during the second chapter, there has been very little activity in the field in South Africa while there has been an unprecedented awakening to the potential of biomass conversion elsewhere. This paper considers the rationale and possible benefits of a potential third chapter based on a revitalized effort on biomass conversion in South Africa. Such an enterprise would build on the country's large biomass production potential, strong technical capability in yeast biotechnology, a well-developed research and development infrastructure in biological processing, and expertise derived from the largest non-petroleum hydrocarbon processing industry in the world. Substantial societal benefits could be realized that address critically important national needs, including the utilization of sustainable resources, industrial development, and improved balance of payments. Moreover, establishing a modern biomass processing industry in South Africa appears to represent one of the largest potential sources of rural employment identified to date.We propose steps to realizing these benefits.
  • Thumbnail Image
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    Open Access
    Converting plant biomass to fuels and commodity chemicals in South Africa: A third chapter?
    (2003) Lynd, L R; Von Blottnitz, H; Tait, B; De Boer, J; Pretorius, I S; Rumbold, K; Van Zyl, W H
    There have been two distinct chapters in the history of converting cellulosic biomass to fuels and commodity chemicals in South Africa. The first chapter, fromthe late 1970s to the early 1990s, involved some of the most active research and development efforts of their kind anywhere in the world. Thereafter, during the second chapter, there has been very little activity in the field in South Africa while there has been an unprecedented awakening to the potential of biomass conversion elsewhere. This paper considers the rationale and possible benefits of a potential third chapter based on a revitalized effort on biomass conversion in South Africa. Such an enterprise would build on the country's large biomass production potential, strong technical capability in yeast biotechnology, a well-developed research and development infrastructure in biological processing, and expertise derived from the largest non-petroleum hydrocarbon processing industry in the world. Substantial societal benefits could be realized that address critically important national needs, including the utilization of sustainable resources, industrial development, and improved balance of payments. Moreover, establishing a modern biomass processing industry in South Africa appears to represent one of the largest potential sources of rural employment identified to date.We propose steps to realizing these benefits.
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    Open Access
    Riding the tide of biopharming in Africa: Considerations for risk assessment
    (2006) Chakauya, Ereck; Chikwamba, Rachel; Rybicki, Edward P
    In the past few years, plant biotechnology has gone beyond traditional agricultural production of food, feed and fibre, and moved to address more complex contemporary health, social and industrial challenges. The newera involves production of novel pharmaceutical products, speciality and fine chemicals, phytoremediation and production of renewable energy resources to replace nonrenewable fossil fuels. Plants have been shown to provide a genuine and low-cost alternative production system for high-value products. Currently, the principal plant-made products include antibodies, feed additives, vaccine antigens and hormones for human and animal health, and industrial proteins. Despite the unique advantages of scalability, cost and product safety, issues of politics, environmental impact, regulation and socioeconomics still limit the adoption of biopharmaceuticals, especially in the developing world. Plant-based production systems have further complicated biosafety, gene flow and environmental impact assessments with generally genetically modified plants, topics that are already partially understood. This article provides a background to biopharming, highlighting basic considerations for risk assessment and regulation in developing countries, with an emphasis on plant-based vaccine production in South Africa.