Objective

The purpose of the project is to lay the basis for the development of a regional value chain for the supply of sustainable biojet fuel.

In addition, the project is intended to support South African Airways’ environmental goals as well as national objectives for economic and rural development.

Description

Project Solaris was initiated by Sunchem SA and SkyNRG and officially launched in December 2014.

Solaris is the name of an "energy tobacco variety that was developed by the Italian research and development company Sunchem Holding. The Solaris crop is a traditionally cross-bred (non-GMO) variety of tobacco that contains no nicotine, has excessive seed and limited leaf production compared to traditional tobacco. The seed cake is suitable for animal feed and the crop can be grown in rotation with cotton.

The combination of available land (partly caused by the decreasing local conventional tobacco industry), a need for employment, the increased demand for sustainable bio-energy, and a good (regional) knowledge fundament to grow tobacco, is seen as providing an excellent opportunity to grow energy tobacco in SA. The crop can also benefit from the existing agricultural infrastructure in place for cotton cultivation.

The project focuses on two axis of activities: agricultural operations and the creation of a competence and training center.

The first axis will address seeds production and planting, fertilisation, harvesting, processing and transport. It involves both commercial and community farming.

The Competence & Training (C&T) Centre will initially focus on capacity building and organizational development of the farmers in the Marble Hall area. The C&T Centre will provide information and support to farmers with their farming practices, by hosting regular meetings, site visits and workshops. The centre will be set-up by EcoSasa, supported by agricultural experts from Sunchem, SkyNRG, the region and involved research institutes.

Partners

Sunchem Biofuel Development South Africa, SkyNRG, RSB, Boeing, South African Airways, U.S.A, Netherlands, Italy

Achievements to date

50 hectares of the crop have been planted in Limpopo province. In the coming months, Project Solaris will be going through the various harvesting cycles at each site and work on the associated processing activities. First harvest is expected to take place between from20 December and  the 10th of January. Then, harvesting approximately every 45-55 days is expected.

The opening of the Competence and Training center is expected in April 2015.

September 2015:  Project Solaris gains RSB approval.

Contact information

​Project website: http://www.projectsolaris.co.za/