MechChem Africa July 2018

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REFAB to showcase improved crops for greater food security

D espite improved insect resistance and herbicide tolerance, which are still responsible for most approved and planted biotech crops, emphasis is in- creasingly being placed on modifying and improving other plant traits, with a focus on changing health awareness, reducing food waste and overcoming malnutrition in devel- oping countries. So-called golden ricewith increased caro- tene content is currently being tested in the Philippines and Bangladesh to improve the supplyof vitaminA to thepopulation; Biotech wheat with an improved fatty acid spectrum is being cultivated in Australia; and camelina enriched with omega-3 fatty acids is now being grown in the European Union. And to counteract the high amount of food waste, non-bruising and non-browning apples and potatoes are also under development. At the Revolution in Food and Biomass Production (REFAB), conference to be held in October in Cologne, Germany, nova-Experts Niels de Beus and Pia Skoczinski will give an overview on current and future breed- ing targets for biotechnologically modified crops, their cultivation areas and related experiences of the last years regarding public acceptance, scientific reports and thepolitical development. The demand for the main staple crops will

increase by around 60% by 2050, mostly due to the growing world population (+35% by 2050). In addition to increasing efficiency in the food chain by reducing waste – today about 30% of the food becomes waste – and meat consumption, yield increases in the mass crops of corn, wheat, rice and potatoes will be of central importance. Computational simulations predict a 50% increase in crop mass production when photosynthesis itself, which is themost significant process for crop life, growthandmass production, is enhanced. So why are there no biotech crops out there with enhanced photosynthesis? Jeremy Harbinson from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) will present at the REFAB conference on how he, his col- leagues from Wageningen and researchers from15otherresearchcentres,areimproving photosynthesis to raise the nutrition value of key crops. The research aims to double crop yields by 2050 by improving the efficiency of photosynthesis. Compared to biotechnologicallymodified plants, modified trees have not yet been the focus of attention. But tree and forest bio- technology are crucial areas for sustaining re- newable resources. Magnus Hertzberg from SweTree Technologies will explain the use of modern biotechnologies to increase harvests and improve reforestation efficiency, while maintainingbiodiversity.SweTreeTechnology also aims to increase tree stress tolerance to withstand climate change and improve wood quality for further processing. This will allow thedemands of thepulpandpaper industry to bemet, while increasing thepotential ofwood as a rawmaterial for bioenergy. Theapprovalandplantingofbiotechnolog- icallymodified crops is still critically viewed in some countries. The session ‘Improved plant varieties for the future’ will not only give an overview of promising improved plant traits and their technologies, but will also strive to Newat this year’s show, eachdaywill fo- cus on a different theme, with day one cen- tering on the future of skills development. At the Artisans Training Centre, developed in partnership with the SA Competency Training Institute and the SACEEC, artisans can test their skills against the highest stan- dards of industry – and could win a prize. Top new products will be the focus on day two, while on day three, visitors will be part of the ‘Local is Lekker’ SouthAfricaday. Safety takes the spotlight on the fourth day anddiversity on the final day of the show. q

Air & Vacuum Technologies....................................................25 Altair Engineering SA..............................................................IFC Atlas Copco.............................................................................. OFC AxiomHydraulics, Ausco.........................................................14 BI, Bearings International........................................................12 Bonfiglioli.......................................................................................16 Elgin Flameproofing...................................................................45 Endress & Hauser.......................................................................29 Engen...............................................................................................17 Flexicon......................................................................................OBC Hytec................................................................................................21 Mixtec................................................................................................ 3 Multotec.........................................................................................41 Omron.............................................................................................28 productOne................................................................................ IBC RTS Africa Engineering............................................................... 9 SEW..................................................................................................30 SKF....................................................................................................11 Solar Mining Services................................................................24 Specialised Exhibitions electra mining...............................37 WIKA Instruments.....................................................................33 Zest Weg Group..........................................................................47 Index to advertisers Industry diary September 2018 2018 Innovation in Industry Conference September 7, 2018 North Campus, NMU, PE Fiona Richardson: frichardson@altair.co.za answer questions about which of the avail- able technologies involve classic genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) andwhich en- gineeredcrops canbe considerednon-GMOs. www.refab.info REFAB 2018 takes place on October 1 and 2 in Cologne, Germany. Africa Oil & Power 2018 September 12-14, 2018 Cape Town media@africaoilandpower.com www.africaoilandpower.com

Golden Rice cultivated in the greenhouse of Golden Rice plants has increased carotene content compared to white rice. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Electra Mining Africa: More than just a show 10-14 September 2018, Nasrec, Johannesburg

For 46years, ElectraMiningAfricahas been winning theminds and hearts ofmining and related industries. “There will be an exciting line-up of new products and services, live demonstra- tions and free-to-attend seminars at this year’s Electra Mining Africa,” says Gary Corin, managing director of Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery. “New technolo- gies and innovation are influencing theway we do business and it is imperative that those in the industry keep up-to-date with these trends.”

48 ¦ MechChem Africa • July 2018