pre-feasibility assessment report - Innovationeasterncape.co.za

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African Development Economic ConsultantsADECspace. The goal is for incubating companies to “graduate” within a set periodinto their own company format (hopefully within the R&D Park).As noted previously, it would be recommended that a feasibility study beengaged to determine the appropriate use, format, funding, graduation rate,development, and operations for an incubator within the R&D Park that mayincorporate the Chemin model (or expand it to an Alternative Energy incubationsystem, or not). Ideally, the proposed 1,000 to 2,000 square-metre incubatorwould draw not only from the local/regional market but also from East London,throughout the Eastern Cape and nationally for a specific R&D activity. Thus,the incubator would operate without competing with other similar facilities andwould focus on the sole market base. 9Industry Recruitment Target OpportunitiesThe research activities of NMMU, CSIR, and associated institutions andcentres help to lay a foundation for marketing the R&D Park to attract privateindustrial research investment, product development, and R&D facilities. Anyproprietary relationships that can be created to commercialise institutionalresearch will greatly strengthen the marketability of the park as a location forindustrial investment. Based on an evolving understanding of the emergingscience, on the relationships established between area institutions andindustrial partners, and on successful R&D Park development, severalrecruitment “targets” are identified in Appendix A of this report as potentialprivate-sector collaborators and tenants in the R&D Park.Core R&D Areas. The core recruitment targets are focused inNanotechnologies, Chemicals, Photonics, Fibre/Composites, and AlternativeEnergy. Obviously, there is a great deal of overlap between these researchareas. There is the opportunity especially to recruit companies either specificallyengaged in development of nanotechnology products or those expanding theirexisting product line to incorporate nanotechnologies, because of the sheernumber of new and emerging companies engaged in this arena. There arecompanies in South Africa which would provide a primary target, coupled withbranches of international corporations that would have an interest in theregion’s particular strengths (including the HRTEM).Target Companies. Overall, companies engaged in the specific researchor product development areas mentioned above represent key targets for thepark. Such companies would either fund proprietary institutional research; enterinto contract consulting agreements; establish collaborative R&D centres; leasemulti-tenant buildings (for example, to access equipment and scientists); orpurchase land and build their own research, testing, or product developmentfacilities in the R&D Park. The target companies would take either the form ofLocal/Regional companies with existing operations or SA/Internationalcompanies without existing operations in the region.9 Photo of incubator courtesy Northern Arizona University (USA).103 Algernon Road, Norwood (Johannesburg). Tel (011)728-1965 / 6690 Fax (011)728-8371Adec@ADEC1.com. Suite 131, Private Bag X5, Norwood 2117 SOUTH AFRICA 92
African Development Economic ConsultantsADECLocal Companies. The ADEC survey has alreadyidentified companies like Willard Batteries among thelocal firms most interested in relocating its R&D function to(and collaborating with) NMMU at a Research Park. Thesurvey also identified other local companies, like ECBiomass and S&N Rubber that would be interested incontracting external research services or equipment whichcould be provided at the R&D Park, even if thesecompanies would not locate their own in-house research in the park. Initialrecruitment efforts would refine the list of potential local/regional targets andwork closely with these companies to define their specific role in the park, theirfacility and equipment needs, and potential for collaboration with otherindustries or institutions.SA/International Targets. Examples of companies within the key researchareas include Synthon (a South African manufacturer of specialty analyticalchemical products), SASOL (South Africa’s largest chemicals and fuelsproducer), Advanced Battery Technologies (a Chinese manufacturer ofrechargeable lithium batteries), Dynotherm (a SouthAfrican producer of friction and brake materials), 3MCorporation (large, US-based diversified materialscorporation with operations in Port Elizabeth), BarloworldAutomotive Coatings (South African logistics and automotive supplier), BASF(German chemicals manufacturer which has Port Elizabeth manufacturingoperations and is extending its R&D programmes worldwide), InternationalTextiles Group (US-based textiles company researching emerging nanoscalefibre technologies), Nanosolar (US-based solar technologies developer), ProteaChemicals (South African-based chemical products company), PetroSA (SouthAfrican fuel company locatingmajor operations at Coega),Corning (US-based conglomeratefocused on manufacturing of glassand composites), and others. Amore detailed sample list ofpotential target companies isprovided in Appendix A. However,this list would need to be refinedand revised based on a moredetailed marketing strategyassociated with the MasterPlanning effort. 10Target Absorption. Based on the institutional R&D strengths, theregional economic base, opportunities among local businesses, and theexperience of comparable parks worldwide (with which this park will compete),absorption targets have been identified for the park’s private industryrecruitment. These targets are as follows:10 Photo of ASML R&D facility, Arizona State University, courtesy Ryan Companies.103 Algernon Road, Norwood (Johannesburg). Tel (011)728-1965 / 6690 Fax (011)728-8371Adec@ADEC1.com. Suite 131, Private Bag X5, Norwood 2117 SOUTH AFRICA 93
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