Programme director
The Directors of Blue Sky Environmental Technologies: Mr Alex Hime, Mr Matthias Kruse and Mr Kevin Norman-SmithThe Chairperson and CEOs of the various industry associations
Industry captains
Government officials
Members of the media
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
The recent local government elections have demonstrated the need for improved service delivery in the quest to better the lives of our people. To be granted the opportunity to address you at this landmark ceremony - the inauguration of the first Diesel Exhaust Fluid blend plant in Africa – is a pleasure indeed.
The inauguration of this unique blending plant is aligned to the Department of Energy’s efforts to improve the quality of liquid transport fuels in the country. On 8 March 2011, the department published the “Discussion Document on the Review of Fuel Specifications and Standards for South Africa” in the Government Gazette for public comment.
A window period of 60 days from the date of publication was allowed for the submission of written comments to the department. The window period has since closed and the department is currently considering submitted comments and will call a stakeholder workshop to discuss the submissions before the end of July 2011.
The establishment of this Diesel Exhaust Fluid blending plant by Blue Sky Environmental Technologies to introduce AdBlue to the South African market is a display of confidence in and support of government’s efforts to improve the quality of our liquid fuels as outlined in the “Discussion Document on the Review of Fuel Specifications and Standards for South Africa”. Among other things, it puts impetus on the need to avail CF2 quality fuels sooner rather than later.
Programme director, I also note that Bluesky Environmental Technologies (Pty) Ltd is a South African registered company representing the Joint Venture between Kruse Gruppe Germany and Viscol South Africa; and that Bluesky has appointed Viscol as the sole distributor in Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Islands.
Partnerships by our business enterprises with counterparts in the Federal Republic of Germany, which is South Africa’s long-standing trade partner, are highly appreciated and encouraged. Although not yet indicated to me I believe that any export orientated industry contributes to local jobs and we expect that success in supplying export markets will lead to even more jobs.
It also contributes to both Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) and indirectly to the green economy focus of the New Growth Path because we are of the view that certain skills will be honed in the blending process and perhaps these can then spur the development of other associated products, which will be manufactured locally. We also are aware that Euro 4 and 5 fuels contribute comparatively less to environmental pollution than earlier specs and are more efficient hence leading to less carbon emissions per kilometres.
Our drive for improved quality of liquid fuels is also driven by our quest to protect and create jobs, particularly in the automobile manufacturing industry, the refining industry and other related industries. We hope this venture will create and protect jobs while ensuring that our transformation agenda / broad-based black economic empowerment, skills development and local content are advanced.
Conducting business without due regard of the country’s history and socio-economic challenges is not sustainable and is actually a recipe for disaster. I am here to indicate that we need to work together for us to succeed - both government and corporate citizens, both the public and private sectors working together. We need to do these at all levels and recognise those who make an effort in this regard.
Though this venture may seem small it has a huge positive impact and helps to send a positive message regarding the country’s commitment the prevention of the pollution of the environment as well as the health and safety of its citizens. This augurs well for a country that would be hosting COP17 in December this year!
I am looking forward to this venture being a good corporate citizen that conducts its business in an environmentally sensitive way, taking due regard of the socio-economic challenges faced by the country. Moreover, improving South Africa’s competitiveness should remain etched in our minds and in all we do.
It is therefore my fervent hope that this plant will contribute to the realisation of the government’s main goal; that of improving the lives of all South Africans. I wish that you grow from strength to strength.
I thank you.
