Human Settlements Review - Parliamentary Monitoring Group

Human Settlements Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2010
f. Through a bankable business plan,
assist in obtaining funding: A bankable
business plan is not only required to
obtain funding, but is also essential
in ensuring strategic, financial,
marketing and operational direction.
Furthermore, a bankable business
plan gives comfort to key stakeholders
in the business with regard to growth
and sustainability of the business.
Criteria for a business to be
incubated
Businesses that require start-up or growth
assistance from the Alternative Building
Technology sub-focus group, must
demonstrate the following:
a. Innovation: The product can either
be developed locally or the technology
can be licensed in from another
country. Technological assistance
with regard to the use of the polymers
in the alternative building material can
be provided to the entrepreneur
b. BEE: Businesses are encouraged to
have a minimum of 26% BEE
ownership. If the businesses require
assistance in transforming the
business, then Sasol ChemCity can
assist. Furthermore, we are of the
opinion that a higher BEE rating will
bode well for the business during the
government tender process in the
building and construction industry.
c. Export potential or import replacement:
Sasol ChemCity emphasizes the
need for local manufacturing to
accelerate job creation and wealth in
South Africa. The ease at which the
alternative building material can be
exported will be evaluated in terms of
weight and volume. The more material
that can be exported at lower costs
makes the business more feasible.
Wherever possible, we would look
at the potential of replacing imported
products. Local manufacturers will be
identified and will be assisted by Sasol
ChemCity to grow the business in
order to supply the imported product.
In doing so, manufacturing costs of
the alternative building material will be
reduced, thereby increasing profits for
the business.
d. SANS 204 compliant technologies:
The alternative building technology
must conform to the minimum
requirements of SANS 204. Although
conforming to the standard is
currently voluntary, it is expected to
be compulsory by September 2010.
Furthermore, Sasol ChemCity aligns
itself with the energy efficiency
strategy of South Africa by supporting
technologies that contribute to the
holistic solution.
e. Potential Green star rating: The
potential for the product to form part
of a holistic solution in terms of Green
Building is also evaluated. Such
criteria include insulation values of
the material, source of raw materials,
transportation of materials, ability to
recycle, and building waste on site.
The ABT team will work in collaboration
with the Green Building Council of
South Africa (GBCSA) to encourage
the appropriate technologies.
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