13 May 2010

ECDC media release

ECDC Funds New EC Dietary Fibre Project

A DIETARY fibre project co-funded by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation is the first big step to revive the once ailing Eastern Cape pineapple industry.

The project, driven by Ndlambe Natural Industrial Products (NNIP), involves the production of human grade dietary fibre from pineapple peel and core waste left over after the manufacture of pineapple juice concentrate.

The NNIP, an entity formed by Pineapple Growers Association and the ECDC have thus far raised R50 million towards making the goal of the sector's turnaround real.

"The money for the project has been made available by ECDC. We have funded the business plan and expect to complete the pilot phase by the end of June," says ECDC regional head Ken Bern.

For the entire turnaround strategy to come to fruition, R700 million is required.

The dietary fibre project has taken significant strides and is expected to move into the commercial phase by year end. Market response from the pilot studies has been positive, Bern says.

A full production facility for dietary fibre is due to be set up in Bathurst in the "next few months".

"The idea of a mini production line is to test the technology and to make samples. Since November samples have been made and sent to buyers in South Africa and the Unites States of America," says Bern.

Anthony Albers, NNIP pineapple industry turnaround strategy project manager, says the turnaround strategy will see pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and bio-technology sub-sectors created, of which the dietary fibre is the first phase.

Albers adds that the studies showed that opportunities for processing and extract maximum benefits out of the primary raw product exist.

"Our studies have indicated that many value added opportunities exist in pineapple, including dietary fibre, micro crystalline cellulose and bromelain enzyme production," says Albers.

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that breaks down protein and is used as a meat tenderizer and microcrystalline cellulose is used as a biding agent in food.

The dietary fibre project, a first of its kind in the province and in South Africa is the first phase of a much larger project that will see the pineapple industry move from East London to Bathurst.

Such a move will save farmers millions in annual transport costs and create a number of new jobs in the Bathurst area which is plagued by unemployment of over 75 percent.

SIDEBAR:

• The Bathurst Project has been on a downward spiral over the past decades.
• SA about 3 percent of the world's pineapple volume
• 92 percent of South African pineapples are exported to Europe and the Caribbean.
• South African pineapples come mainly from the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal
• Once the EC pineapple turnaround strategy is  fully implemented, it is expected to create 2000 which spin offs to the local communities.

For more information:

Ken Bern

ECDC

Tel. 043 704 5600

For ECDC media relations:

Siya Miti

SMG Africa

Tel. 043 726 8833

Cell. 078 155 1134

Email. siya@thinksmg.com