The Bio-refinery Industry Development Facility (BIDF) focusses on extracting maximum value from biomass and biomass waste, with a strong focus on the forestry, paper and pulp industries. The facility supports large industry and Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) in their research and development, pilot scale testing and evaluation, and development of technologies for processing biomass. Some of the large-scale equipment that is owned and operated at the BIDF is unique in South Africa, making the facility a one-of-a-kind experience when it comes to available resources. It is staffed by highly-skilled chemists, engineers and biologists who are well-versed in technologies for beneficiation and valorisation of biomass. Through a variety of DSI-supported programmes, the BIDF has enabled SMMEs and has contributed to human capital development. To date, the BIDF has contracted 22 enterprises for technology development and technology advisory support, i.e., through the development and evaluation of biorefinery technologies to improve their sustainability and to develop high value chains through valorisation of forestry and other organic waste biomass.
They fill the gap in the industry between proof of concept and commercial implementation of innovations.
