Capital Equipment News November 2025

premium remains high, early adopters are already securing access to future value chains. Their approach shows that carbon readiness is not a compliance burden; it is a strategic advantage that protects export channels and strengthens supplier credibility. Beyond energy: total operational resilience The study also surfaced broader operational risks. Nearly half of the surveyed firms rely solely on municipal water, which often results in frequent supply interruptions. Sustainability is therefore no longer limited to environmental metrics; it has become a measure of production stability and business continuity. Financially, most manufacturers still invest less than 1% of annual budgets in sustainability or efficiency projects, a level that will not move the dial. The challenge is to connect finance, policy, and data so readiness becomes mainstream rather than exceptional. Where finance meets factory floor Nedbank’s response has been to go beyond traditional credit support and

partner with manufacturers on carbon measurement and transition planning. Our Carbon Readiness Toolkit, developed in collaboration with NAACAM, provides practical diagnostics, benchmarking tools, and step-by-step guidance to help firms prioritise interventions, from baseline audits and energy-mix modelling to without in-house sustainability teams, this partnership approach provides both technical and financial scaffolding to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global market. The bigger picture Globally, capital investment is chasing low-carbon production. The US Inflation Reduction Act and Europe’s Green Deal Industrial Plan are channelling billions into re-shoring clean technologies. South Africa’s manufacturers cannot afford to fall behind while policy bottlenecks delay local approvals for renewables or infrastructure upgrades. Yet, the sector’s ingenuity and technical skill remain unmatched. The opportunity now lies in linking sustainability with productivity, data with design, and banking with engineering. supplier engagement strategies. For small and mid-sized companies

Amith Singh, National Manager: Manufacturing, Nedbank Commercial Banking.

At Nedbank Commercial Banking we believe the manufacturers who measure early, invest smartly, and adapt fastest will own the next decade of industrial competitiveness. b

Think bigger. Think Nedbank Commercial Banking.

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