A high-impact demonstration project applying a circular economy approach to integrating crop production and effluent treatment to create a profitable, sustainable local value chain from brewery wastewater was recently showcased to key stakeholders and the media at Ibhayi Brewery in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

Launched in 2020 as a partnership between local start-up Taylormade Water Solutions (TMWS) and AB InBev, the parent company of South African Breweries, Project Imifino (meaning “vegetables”) was selected for support by the South African Industry Adaptation (SAIA) project in 2022. With grant funding from SAIA, TMWS was able to procure a modular containerised ultra-filtration (UF) system, which was co-financed, designed, and built by the Flemish technology company Waterleau.

The SAIA project is funded by the Government of Flanders and implemented by UNIDO, in collaboration with the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The project aims to support industries in transitioning to more climate-resilient operations, better preparing them for future climate change impacts while avoiding negative effects on the environment and people.

Project Imifino uses integrated constructed wetlands and raised beds to treat up to 250 m³/day of brewery effluent, producing water for onsite reuse by the brewery after further UF processing using the new SAIA-supported system, while utilizing the nutrients from the effluent to grow food crops. Additionally, the new UF system enhances the energy efficiency of the effluent treatment process.

Commissioned in September of this year, the UF plant produced 4,700 m³ of reusable water in November—enough to fill two Olympic-sized swimming pools. The brewery’s reuse of this water also contributes to water security for the surrounding communities.

Imifino comprises 2,000 m² of raised beds, growing crops such as spinach, parsley, and spring onions. The site produces 1,500 kg of packed spinach per month, which is sold to local retailers. Since its inception, the project has created eight full-time jobs for members of nearby communities and provides ongoing opportunities for post-graduate research, resulting in three PhDs and seven Master’s degrees to date.

The SAIA funding also enabled Taylormade Water Solutions to fully demonstrate the financial and business model for this pioneering concept, which is the first of its kind globally. As indicated by the results achieved thus far, the model shows high potential for scaling and replication by other breweries and industries worldwide, particularly those using anaerobic digesters in their manufacturing or water treatment processes.

The demonstration of the enhanced facilities at Ibhayi Brewery was jointly hosted by UNIDO, the Representation of the Government of Flanders in Southern Africa, and South African Breweries.

“The SAIA project is a model for sustainable industrial development. Through supporting pilot projects such as Imifino, it has shown how innovative practices – such as re-using waste water to grow crops – can create jobs, promote skills development and add value to local communities.” Dr. Nicolas Vandevijver, Deputy General Representative, Delegation of Flanders in Southern Africa

“Imagine having 2000 such systems globally…” Dr. Richard Taylor, Director: Taylormade Water Solutions