Identification of Value-Added Business Opportunities Associated with Invasive Alien Woody Plant Biomass (IAWPB) within the Gouritz Cluster Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR)
Project Type:
Feasibility Study
Client:
Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
Consultants:
Apex Conservation Services
In the GCBR domain, located across parts of the Western, Southern and Eastern Cape of South Africa
Year:
2022
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Summary:
Invasive Alien Plants (IAPs) occur throughout South Africa and are globally recognised as a major threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services, agriculture, the economy and human wellbeing. Due to the high cost of clearance, the biomass is usually left in the field, creating water blockages and fire hazards. The primary aim of this project was to identify potential value-added business opportunities utilizing IAWPB within the GCBR domain. The secondary focus was to identify and provide a summary of additional value-added business opportunities which are not associated with IAPs, but which the GCBR may wish to investigate further.
A business overview and rapid feasibility of selected opportunities was undertaken to find the most suitable opportunities to pursue. Four biomass sectors and ten product opportunities were evaluated. Based on the preliminary product and enterprise opportunity overview and ranking exercise the best products and associated enterprise opportunities were selected for a detailed business review. For the purpose of the business review, the ranking criteria was expanded to include seventeen criteria across three main categories. The categories included Development and Social, Natural Capital, and Enterprise Sustainability.
The results of this study demonstrate that there is an opportunity for GCBR to establish and participate in a small-scale value-added enterprise opportunity utilising available IAWP biomass generated through their IAP clearing programme. The following products were recommended as the most suitable for establishment within the GCBR domain: Fibre Concrete or Biomass Insulated Concrete, Biochar/activated carbon, Charcoal/ briquettes, Bio-energy (Energy Sector). It is however suggested that the GCBR’s core focus areas are used as a guideline when selecting the best fit.
This study was helpful to the GCBR as it could be used to inform the decision to create potential business opportunities (providing socio-economic benefits), as well as to utilise IAWPB to produce products that will increase the economic sustainability of IAPs eradication.