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Climate Change Concerns Drive the Air Pollution Control Market in South Africa, States Frost & Sullivan
The South African air pollution control market is going through a dynamic phase of change as the impact of new legislation starts to have impact. The market is projected to continue growing, despite the current economic hardships faced by emission generating industries.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (https://www.environmental.frost.com), the growth partnership company, finds that the South African air pollution control market was worth $2,729.5 million in 2008 and is estimated to reach $3,665.5 million in 2015. The following market sectors are covered in this study: energy and power, chemicals and petrochemicals, steel and metals, pulp and paper and, cement and brick manufacturing.
“The recent tightening of legislation has been a major driver behind growth in this market,” notes Frost & Sullivan environmental technologies analyst Derrick Chikanga. “The Air Quality Act, which was passed into law in 2005, addresses all the short-comings that existed during the previous Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act.”
The new Air Quality Act focuses on ambient control rather than emissions control. As a result, the act presents new challenges to industries, as it imposes far stricter regulations and heftier penalties for non-compliant companies than ever before. Currently, non-compliance by emission generators is still a major obstacle for the development of this market.
“Previously, most emission generators considered emissions control as a ‘nice-to-have’ technology rather than an essential requirement,” explains Chikanga. “As such, fume abatement technology is viewed as a grudge purchase, a capital cost not adding to the bottom line.”
Despite numerous challenges present as a result of non-compliance by some industrial segments, the market still presents numerous opportunities for growth. The energy and power sector, being the largest emissions generator, is currently undertaking an expansion initiative.
South Africa’s national electricity utility, Eskom, has embarked on an expansion drive to increase generation capacity and ensure a reliable supply of electricity to the country. Expansion in operations is likely to be accompanied by increased green house gas (GHG) emissions.
To capitalise on growth opportunities, equipment suppliers will need to provide low-cost but reliable technology types to this market.
“Both the power generation and petrochemical industries are expected to generate large volumes of emissions as they embark on their expansion drive,” comments Chikanga. “The strict enforcement of legislation guarantees the need for responsible and holistic air pollution control mechanisms by these industries.”