Project Imifino has found a great way to integrate crop production and effluent treatment to create a profitable, sustainable local value chain from brewery wastewater.

In 2020, Eastern Cape-based enterprise TaylorMade Water Solutions partnered with AB InBev to develop Imifino” (meaning “vegetables”) at the Ibhayi Brewery in Gqeberha.

This project concept dates back 10 years ago, and is a partnership between Rhodes University, South African Breweries and other partners, including the Water Research Commission and the National Research Foundation of South Africa.

Covering an area of 2000m2, Project Imifino uses integrated constructed wetlands and raised hydroponic beds to capture the nutrient potential in the effluent from the brewery.

This cleans the water so that it can be reused in the brewery (after undergoing further UF/RO treatment) and produces fresh crops instead of sludge.

Some 1500 kg of fresh produce, mostly spinach, are grown weekly for local sale, with eight jobs created and ongoing research and collaboration opportunities.

In March 2022, Imifino was selected as a pilot by the South Africa Industry Adaptation (SAIA) project, which is funded by the Flemish Government and implemented by UNIDO, in cooperation with the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa and the Technology Innovation Agency.

The SAIA project supported Project Imifino in procuring a containerised ultrafiltration solution, which was supplied and co-funded by Flemish technology company Waterleau. The advanced equipment will enable the wetland to produce in excess of 250 m3 per day of effluent suitable for direct onsite re-use by the brewery, and contribute to water security for the surrounding communities.

Picture: SA Breweries

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