Rainbow Nation Renewable Fuels Ltd. (RNRF) has commenced work on what will be Africa’s largest soybean processing facility located at the Coega Industrial Development Zone in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. An investment of R1.5 billion will generate over R4.5 billion in annual revenue and will create 350 new permanent full-time jobs, offer 725 jobs in related industries, and construction providing an additional 800 jobs.
International technology provider Desmet Ballestra has been contracted to supply the technology and key manufacturing equipment with local engineering firm E+PC managing and constructing the development.
The plant will produce one million metric tons of soybeans and will enable the production of 25,000 tons of soybean oil and 800,000 tons of soybean meal per annum. RNRF is in the advanced stages of applying to the RSA Government for a manufacturing license to produce 288 million liters of biodiesel from a portion of the soybean oil. Biodiesel made from soybeans include benefits such as a reduction in sulphur compound emissions.
RNRF’s Soybiodiesel® production will result in the reduction of 740,000mt of carbon emissions each year.