⎪ Minerals processing and materials handling ⎪
These properties are indispensable in chemical logistics, where reliability is paramount. In the Scharr project, plant engineering firm Göhler implemented very high safety standards and used additional mechanical level switches to minimise risks. The new chemical tank farm at Friedrich Scharr KG is a prime example of how intelligent measurement technology, combined with well- thought-out plant design, can contribute to safety, sustainability and efficiency in chemical logistics. With its level and pressure measure- ment solutions, VEGA provides the techno- logical backbone for safe and environmentally conscious operations. “VEGA measurement technology sets stan- dards in operational safety and measurement accuracy for these processes,” explains René
Kozica, project manager at Göhler. The project impressively demonstrates how technological innovations address major challenges in chemical logistics – while meeting legal requirements and high safety standards and offering economic benefits, particularly through operational efficiency. Measurement technology is far more than just a technical component; it is the key to sustainable storage of hazardous substances. By leveraging diverse redundancy – by combin- ing different measurement principles – Scharr achieves the highest level of operational safety. Even though modern radar systems can already take over the task of overfill prevention in com - pliance with WHG, Göhler relies on additional mechanical point-level sensors to minimise risk. https://www.vega.com/en-za
where many sensors are installed.
Flexible sensors for maximum safety
VEGA technology also impresses users with its safety features: Thanks to flexible lock - ing screw fittings, VEGASWING vibrating level switches can be configured in standard lengths, which simplifies spare parts inventory and planning. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the level switches used as pump leakage sensors can be adjusted individually, enabling reliable detection of even low levels in col- lecting trays – a decisive advantage when storing volatile or low-viscosity chemicals such as solvents. The VEGAPULS radar sensors installed utilise 80 GHz technology, which offers numerous advantages: they require only small process fittings, and thanks to their narrow-beam focusing, they deliver precise readings even in tanks with agitators or inter- nal fixtures. What is more, the free-air radar operates without contact with the medium, so material resistance is less of an issue. VEGA uses high-quality materials such as 316L stainless steel and, for radar antennas, the super-tough plastic, PEEK, which guaran- tees a long service life and maximum chemical resistance, even in extremely aggressive media.
The tightly focused measuring beam of the VEGAPULS 6X radar level transmitter with 80-GHz technology allows installation with small process fittings.
CSIR champions EU–SA partnership on battery raw materials South Africa is taking a leading role in the global green economy through a new European Union (EU) partnership to build a world-class value chain for battery raw materials. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been selected to drive the Team Europe Initiative (OP-VET), which will align skills development, industrial investment and clean energy innovation to create jobs and unlock local economic value. ment, skills development and job creation. The OP-VET project aims to strengthen the capacity of South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, as well as the broader skills devel- opment ecosystem, to deliver demand-driven, employment-oriented training aligned to the critical minerals and battery value chain.
accreditation of new or adapted occupational qualifications and short courses. TVET college capacity will be strengthened through train-the- trainer initiatives and targeted infrastructure support for technical workshops. The project will also facilitate training, internships and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements with private-sector partners, ensuring practical workplace exposure and clearer employment pathways for graduates. Additional deliverables include strengthened public–private partnerships, enhanced policy uptake through engagement with national institutions, and the development of a scalable model to support South Africa’s growing green industrial economy. The CSIR’s participation in the TEI under- scores South Africa’s growing role in the global green economy. It reflects the shared commit - ment of the EU and South Africa to skills devel- opment, clean industrial growth and sustainable value chains. By linking education, industry and innovation, the project will not only enhance employment opportunities for youth and women but also establish a replicable, opportunity-driven model for TVET and workforce development across critical sectors, driving long-term economic and environmental benefits for the country. https://www.csir.co.za/
By integrating industrial skills foresight, curriculum adaptation, lecturer upskilling and structured workplace learning, the project seeks to improve employability outcomes for youth and women, support industry access to a skilled workforce, and contribute to sustainable local value addition. The expected impact includes improved alignment between industrial investment and skills demand and supply, increased absorp- tion of graduates into decent work, and the institutionalisation of an opportunity-driven TVET model that can be replicated across other Global Gateway-linked sectors. Key outcomes and deliverables of the project include the identification of priority occupational profiles and skills needs across the critical raw materials and battery value chain, led by the CSIR. In collaboration with consor- tium partners, including the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority, the project will support demand-led co-development and
This initiative, born from the South Africa– EU Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, will equip youth and women with the skills needed for a sustainable, high-tech future, from min- ing and refining to recycling critical minerals. By linking education, industry and innovation, South Africa is not just powering batteries, it is powering a new era of green industrial growth and employment. The initiative builds directly on the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership signed at the South Africa–European Union Leaders’ Summit on 20 November 2025, held ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The partnership commits South Africa and the European Union to deepen cooperation in the extraction, processing, refining and recycling of critical raw materials, particularly for the battery value chain, while advancing decarbonisation, clean supply chains, and inclusive economic growth through invest-
March-April 2026 • MechChem Africa ¦ 27
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