CSIR offers new strategy for textile exports

ED RICHARDSON THE PORT Elizabeth-based Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) division for fibre, textile and clothing, has embarked on a new strategy to help develop SA’s competitiveness in the industry. The strategy includes collaborating with the industries on technology, as well as building skills and strategic human capital development, says Abisha Tembo, centre manager of the CSIR. Francois Barkhuysen of the Port Elizabeth CSIR says that in order for SA to become globally competitive, the SA focus should be based on creating niche markets, which can be dealt with by using equipment from the CSIR. “The CSIR’s research and development will be able to analyse using technology and direct industries,” he says Equipment for fibre processing, non-woven plants spinning, and a 3D body scanner were some of the resources from the CSIR that were shown to the industry at a recent open day. There were also testers such as the Image analysis programme, Apollo xenon arc and light weather fastness tester and the scientific computation platform. This technology is used for analysing textile materials and manufacturing textiles appropriate for the consumers' wear and specified according to the environment in which it will be worn. “It is important that the industry view the equipment as the SA textile industry needs this type of technology to face the Chinese market,” says Charles Mills of the Department of Trade and Industry. He adds the government will continue to support this industry. However, the open day was held with the intention of encouraging industry leaders to put their questions forward and hear their views on the equipment at the CSIR. “It is important to focus on the requests in research and development and what the industry needs. It is also important for us to be proactive by trying to create new product developments for the industry to make them more competitive,” says Barkhuysen.