Chemical Technology JANUARY 2016 low res

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Making ChemTech
the best in its field
COMMENT
Having begun another new year, the
ChemTech team has again resolved to
rise to the challenges that inevitably oc-
cur as a result of the changes taking place in the
media environment, both locally and interna-
tionally, and, naturally, in the world around us.
I think it is no boast to state that our maga-
zine (ChemTech, for short) is the only publication
in Africa for chemical engineers which focuses
comprehensively on all unit operations in the
chemical engineering field. The publication
provides a wide-ranging overview of chemical
engineering in South Africa and the South Afri-
can chemical industry in general.
The magazine’s focus will, as ever, be on
providing its readers, in South Africa and also
beyond its borders, in African countries such
as Egypt, the DRC, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia
and Botswana, to name a few, and overseas,
with in-depth technical information on areas
of expertise of specific interest to chemical
engineers and technicians and those involved
in related sectors.
We aim to cater to differing levels of readers’
interests by having various types of content,
such as technical articles, case studies, short
communications, hands-on practical advice col-
umns; letters to the editor and feedback, com-
pany profiles, student news and more besides.
In particular, the challenges presented by the
state of the availability and the quality of water
in South Africa constitute serious constraints
on our country’s development. Pertinent in the
extreme for ChemTech is the matter of ongoing
deterioration of water quality. We shall be con-
centrating on topical articles on the importance
of water’s role, highlighting solutions to the
problems facing us, which unfortunately are
becoming ever more critical as the effects of cli-
mate changemake themselves more apparent.
Allied to the water issue are the subjects of
renewable energy production, and the achieving
of sustainable energy provision in the country.
The spectrumof subject matter will also include
nuclear developments in our country and, for
example, the new Carbon Tax Bill. Our consult-
ing editor, Carl Schonborn, PrEng, has written
a new series of articles on just such important
subjects and these will be published in the next
few issues.
We all need to be aware that the key to
learning is sharing and communicating what we
know and remembering that success for one is
success for all. Let’s try to keep other ‘players’
in the loop and frequently give our opinions
on matters of importance. After all, chemical
engineering touches on virtually everything one
can imagine, in one way or another.
I heartily encourage you to increase your per-
sonal telephonic or email interaction withme, to
discuss ideas you may have for the magazine;
I am sure there are many of you out there who
could contribute positively to the magazine and
its continuous development.
Please support our endeavours to bring both
problems and their solutions to light by con-
tributing your knowledge on particular aspects
and by ensuring your products, processes and
projects are clearly seen in advertisements
within themagazine, or online on our dedicated
site at
Let’s use our publication as a useful tool with
which to make the most of this opportunity for
growth and change.
Published monthly by:
Crown Publications cc
Crown House
Cnr Theunis and
Sovereign Streets
Bedford Gardens 2007
PO Box 140
Bedfordview 2008
Tel: (011) 622-4770
Fax: (011) 615-6108
E-mail:
Website:
Consulting editor:
Carl Schonborn, PrEng
Editor:
Glynnis Koch
BAHons, DipLibSci (Unisa),
DipBal (UCT)
Advertising:
Brenda Karathanasis
Design & layout:
Colin Mazibuko
Circulation:
Karen Smith
Publisher:
Karen Grant
Director:
J Warwick
Printed by:
Tandym Print - Cape Town
by Glynnis Koch
Chemical Technology • January 2016 3