Industrial decarbonisation at Manufacturing Indaba 2026: South Africa's path to low-carbon competitiveness

The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) is using the Manufacturing Indaba 2026 to push industrial decarbonisation as a core business strategy for South African manufacturers. With global markets demanding lower-carbon products, the NCPC argues that reducing embedded carbon through energy and resource efficiency can unlock export opportunities and improve resilience. The event highlights the dtic's '3Ds' strategy: Decarbonisation, Digitalisation, and Diversification. South Africa's carbon-intensive energy grid makes industrial decarbonisation especially challenging, but the NCPC is showcasing practical solutions like energy and water efficiency to help manufacturers cut emissions without waiting for grid decarbonisation. The message is clear: decarbonisation is no longer optional but a competitive advantage for accessing international markets and meeting climate mitigation requirements.