Durban, South Africa - 30 June 2021: South African businesspeople Nigel Gibb and Barry Tuck have partnered with four icons of the European surfing community, Gony Zubizaretta, Kepa Acero, Marlon Lipke, and Roby D’amico, to take emerging lifestyle brand Ûs the Movement to a larger global market. A former professional surfer himself, Gibb worked as the Sales Director for Billabong EMEA while Barry Tuck is an established marketing and tech entrepreneur who brings a wealth of core and non-core marketing, strategic and entrepreneurial experience to the company.

With a primary focus on eyewear, but also offering a small range of accessories and apparel, the core vision of Ûs is to provide consumers with stylish but responsible fashion options. 

“Ûs is not just a brand, it is a movement,” says co-founder and European surf industry stalwart, Nigel Gibb. “It is a movement born out of the realisation that our current practices are not sustainable - environmentally, economically and ethically. Our vision is to manufacture beautiful, high quality products as sustainably as possible today, with zero waste as our goal for tomorrow.”

Starting with using the most sustainable materials and environmentally-friendly packaging available, Ûs is out to prove that a planet-first philosophy belongs at the core of every business. Finishing with an uncompromising commitment to quality and a flair for style, the brand’s sunglasses, accessories, and apparel are the manifestation of the belief that sustainable and low impact business models are the best solution to many current challenges.

The eyewear range forms the backbone of the Ûs offering, with an initial range of 13 styles, each available in three to five different colour variants. With the brand’s focus on sustainability, the sunglasses are crafted using Rilsan® Clear G820 Rnew®, a high performance, bio-based, transparent polyamide.

Aside from being light, flexible, durable and fatigue resistant, Rilsan® is a bio-material produced from castor oil, giving it a significantly reduced carbon footprint. The brand’s commitment to uncompromising quality is further entrenched by the use of triple barrel steel hinges and high optical grade lenses (polarised and non-polarised).

“Our goal is to make a product that is as durable and sustainable as we can,” Gibb says. “Central to this vision is product longevity, and it is underpinned by a commitment to quality. All of our shades are made in Italy with the most resilient and sustainable materials we can find and using timeless styles that won’t date with fluctuating seasonal trends.”

The brand is positioned as a stylish and functional option for the conscious and eco-friendly outdoor enthusiast, and has attracted a broad range of artists, designers, riders and makers as Comrades. Aside from the co-founders – Zubizaretta, Acero, Lipke and D’amico - the list includes surfers Ricky Basnett, Damien Castera, Avuyile Ndamase, and Adin Masencamp; kitesurfers Paul Serin, Matt Maxwell and Titouan Galea; artists Leigh Bisset and Leigh Vermaak; actors Brando Pacitto and Cokey Falkow; and photographers Matt Georges, Kasia Hryciów and Marc Dura.

While still in its infancy, Ûs the Movement has rapidly grown its footprint in France, Spain and Portugal, and is now looking to expand into the rest of Europe, the US, Australia, South Africa and other key markets, and is opening negotiations with distributors and partners in each region.

“We have received incredibly positive feedback from retailers and consumers alike,” Gibb continues. “People are genuinely blown away by the quality of our products and our ethos, so we feel we are perfectly positioned to enjoy significant growth over the remainder of 2021.”

The Summer 2021 range is available in retailers across the Ûs territories, as well as on the brand’s e-commerce platform, and includes several new styles and an expanded range of wallets, belts, headwear and socks.

Ûs the Movement’s products are available in a growing number of stores across Europe, or via the brand’s website - usthemovement.com

For retailer or distributor queries, please contact Nigel Gibb on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Impakt Fund Successfully Launches in Johannesburg, South Africa at the 12J Conference (For release after 31 January 2020) 

Many have an interest in investing in Africa-based businesses that both help the African people and deliver a financial return. The new Impakt Fund is focused on delivering just these kinds of win-win opportunities. 

31 January 2020 

The idea of solving problems while still making a profit is a remarkable and achievable one. Especially in Africa, where with experienced guidance many opportunities to support businesses with huge potential are presenting themselves. The Impakt Fund is an approved Section 12 J Company, and an impact investment platform for Africa with just this kind of powerful mission. In exciting news, The Impakt Fund recently successfully launched on January 31st, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa at the 12J Conference at Melrose Arch, where they presented their innovative and intriguing vision, that can revolutionize the way mindful investors approach African development. The enthusiasm surrounding the launch is high and rising. 

“We believe that business is the tool that can help to sustainably solve Africa’s problems in quite dramatic ways,” commented a spokesperson from the fund. “We had an amazing experience meeting potential investors, and businesses at the 12J Conference who share our vision and exciting mission, we look forward to connecting with more in the days and years to come.” 

Some of the world’s most impressive business successes have voiced support for this kind of initiative. A prime example is Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group, remarked, “Every risk is worth taking as long as it’s for a good cause and contributes to a good life.” 

The Impakt Fund is basing much of their drive around a very progressive concept that is inspiring increasing international interest and praise called the Business-as-a-Tool (BaaT) philosophy. This and more were discussed at the successful launch and The Impakt Fund continues their work to spread the BaaT message.

 The Impakt Fund is a proud initiative of the boutique management advisory firm the Grovation Group, who are trusted advisors for organizations looking for effective and innovative ways to solve the world’s problems. The Grovation Group is based in Cape Town, South Africa. For more information be sure to visit The Impakt Fund at http://www.impaktfund.com.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - A passionate South African start-up has developed an ergonomically beautiful way to recycle house food waste. The company has been working for 4 years on methods to successfully recycle house food and other organic waste.
“We pretty much testing out every conceivable way to quickly recycle organic waste and this is the one we found to be most effective” - R&D Director Craig Bartlett explains. He goes on “The problem we aimed to help solve is the Methane gas in our landfills issue. When your food scraps lie up against plastic in rubbish (as happens in landfill sites), that area gets no oxygen so it starts to rot, which then releases methane gas"

This is Methane is being release from all landfills, South Africa and the world, on a huge scale. As much attention, if not more, needs to be placed on recycling the organic waste. Hence we designed and built the Organic Bin”.

The Organic Bin breaks down the food scrapes, converting them into usable (vermi)-compost. “The beating heart of these bins is an organic Micro-Mix of the best bacteria and Lumbricus Terrestris (Ver de Terre). This is the real nuts and bolts of these bins. We’ve developed the best”. says Gavin Atwell, Micro-Mix Developer. “It’s a beautiful cycle, you give your pet bacteria and Lumbricus your food waste and they give food to your plants”.
What sets these organic bins apart from other home based recycling units is their effectiveness and their beautiful style. With a range of different designs, you can add it to any area of your patio or garden. “We are bringing beautiful back to waste”

As landfill space in South Africa reaches capacity and as we are seeking solutions for these problems, we all need to understand that we are all part of of the problem of global warming (and general environment fuck-ups) so by default we are all a part of the solution.

That includes you. 

Organic-bin.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contact: Craig Bartlett
Tel: +27 (064) 867 3747
https://www.facebook.com/organicbin
https://www.instagram.com/Beautiful_Earth_Bin/

Paul Jordaan has been appointed Project Manager for both the Polystyrene Association of South Africa and the Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA), with specific focus on providing assistance with their submissions for an Industry Waste Management Plan (IWMP), following the Department of Environmental Affair’s Section 28 call made to the paper & packaging industry, electrical & electronic industry and lighting industry.

Paul is a 26-year old Capetonian who matriculated at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, before obtaining his BSc Agric Conservation Ecology degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 2015, for which he received cum laude distinction and the Daniel Booysen Award for his final year thesis. He went on to complete his Master’s degrees at the same institution, specialising in Sustainable Agriculture with his thesis entitled, "Evaluating the sustainable potential of biogas generation in South Africa".

Commenting on his new focus on the local waste management and industry recycling, Paul says he has been enjoying learning about the industry and getting to grips with some of the issues it faces. "It is a very exciting time to get involved with the plastics industry in particular, as there are many exciting opportunities and interesting developments that can be unlocked through the development of new end markets for recycled materials, contributing towards a more sustainable approach” he says.

“I believe that we are standing on the cusp of an era where great changes and radical movement towards a more sustainable way of life will be thrust upon us. For this reason, a conscious effort for improved environmental management and sustainability is of great importance,” Paul adds.

He is a passionate outdoorsman who loves working with people. Paul describes himself as an adventurous, passionate, driven, and patient person and looks forward to working with all the role players in the local plastics and recycling industries. 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him on (060) 972-6170

A beach clean-up campaign this Saturday, paying tribute to World Environment and World Oceans Day, and in support of the Uzwelo Bags “Say NO to plastic” campaign, aims to remind Durbanites that 160 000 plastic bags are used globally every second, and that the five trillion plastic bags produced yearly could, side by side, encircle the world seven times.

To help save our planet, join organisers Expand a Sign and Uzwelo Bags at The Green Hub (on the Coconut Grove side of Blue Lagoon) from 8am until 10am. 

Durban’s InterCement team has already committed to adding 15 people to help in the clean-up operation.Staff and volunteers will be given gloves and recycled Uzwelo Bags to carry the litter.

Pictured are Tyron Govender and Donovan Pelser of Expand a Sign, with Sai Surajbali and Zamo Sithole.

For more information, visit www.uzwelo.co.za

The Volvo Ocean Race organisers are using their combined global clout to “turn the tide on plastic.” Arriving in Cape Town, South Africa, towards the end of November on Leg 2 of the global race, the world’s longest and most competitive professional sporting event has an inevitable environmental footprint, as well as an inescapable opportunity to raise awareness of the urgent need to combat plastic pollution and its effect on Ocean Health.  

By signing a Sustainability Charter, the Volvo Ocean Race leadership committed to the sustainable operation of all its activities, down to the first-time use of a hydro-generator to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Activities covered in the charter include the Race Village, transport, Greenhouse Gas emissions, engagement and advocacy. The campaign’s strategic objectives are to: 1. Maximise impact, 2. Minimise their footprint and 3. Leave a positive legacy. Their progress and success is monitored throughout the 9 month race. 

Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner explained the three pillars of the Volvo Ocean Race strategy. “Firstly, we have to minimise our own impact and that’s true right across all of our operations. Specifically, we are trying to reduce, or eliminate where we can, single use plastics in our Race Villages and our own operations because that problem in its own right is a major one for the health of our oceans.”  

Their call-to-action to businesses, governments and individuals in each port is to join them in amplifying the race’s efforts to reduce the approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic dumped in the sea every year, through local initiatives such as beach cleanups, education and the high-profile Ocean Summit in 7 of the locations.  

And Cape Town, known for its pristine protected coastlines, will be no different. Host, the V&A Waterfront, is paving the way for the various sustainability initiatives from 24 November to 10 December. The planned activities range from a beach cleanup, TEDX talks, craft-making and design using from recyclable plastics, to the esteemed Ocean Summit from 7 to 8 December and Ocean Life Festival in partnership with the Dutch Consulate General. 

Joanne Bushell, Regus country manager for South Africa says, “Regus has a particular interest in this race due to the Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag which we co-sponsor. Like the Volvo Ocean Race, we are a global brand with a global responsibility towards sustainability. Our Black River Park office in Cape Town, is one first office precincts in the country to receive the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) certified Green Star existing building ratings for all of its 8 buildings. Sustainability is fast becoming a key differentiator for companies and entrepreneurs alike and we are proud to be associated with the Volvo Ocean Race.” 

Find more details about the programme and sustainability initiatives from 24 November to 10 December here or at www.volvooceanracecapetown.com 

CONTACT PERSON:
Louise Rebstein
Regional Marketing Manager – REGUS
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+2711 534 8697 | +27 766776397 

FOR MEDIA ENQUERIES:
Gidgette Osborne
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+27 82 574 2308

“Take-Care packages” support Premium Partners worldwide with the marketing of storage solutions 

Bad Staffelstein / Germany, July 13th, 2017 – IBC SOLAR AG, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage, supports its international Premium Partners with new service packages for lithium-ion storage systems. Installers in more than 30 countries are tapping into new business segments with the “Take-Care packages”. 

“We are an experienced partner with more than 7,000 installed storage systems of all sizes worldwide. Our international customers often express the wish to be supported when initially installing a lithium-ion storage system,” explains Albert Engelbrecht, Director Solutions International at IBC SOLAR. The company is now accommodating this request with the new service packages.

“The “Take-Care packages” help our partners with the planning, installation and maintenance of storage solutions and offer them important added value. The packages make it possible for our partners to implement the systems quickly and reliably and also ensure satisfied customers,” adds Engelbrecht. The customer decides which “Take-Care package” is the right one. Three versions are available “Essential”, “Empowering” and “Ensuring”.

The “Essential” basic package is also the basis for the two other packages. It includes an extensive pre-consultation session with technical pre-selection and sizing of the storage system. Fundamental questions about the application and expectations of the system will be resolved. It is important here to determine whether only the self-consumption needs to be increased or whether the storage system should also provide an emergency power supply.  The “Empowering” package involves IBC SOLAR also providing support with an extensive system design, circuit diagrams and parts lists as well as telephone support to help put the system into operation.

The “Ensuring” premium package also includes on-site support with a handover report and an optional workshop for service and maintenance work. IBC SOLAR has been active in the photovoltaic and battery storage sector for more than 35 years. The international partners will benefit from the company's years of experience in the storage segment with the new “Take-Care packages”. 

About IBC SOLAR
IBC SOLAR is a leading global provider of photovoltaic and energy storage solutions and services. The company offers complete systems and covers the entire product range from planning to the turnkey handover of photovoltaic systems. The product range comprises solar parks, self-consumption systems for commercial enterprises and private households, off-grid photovoltaic systems and diesel hybrid solutions.

As a project developer and general contractor, IBC SOLAR implements and markets major solar projects worldwide. The manufacturer-independent system house guarantees the highest quality for all projects and has currently implemented photovoltaic systems with an output of over 3 gigawatts worldwide. IBC SOLAR works with a close network of Premium Partners and supports them with their own software tools for planning and designing grid-connected systems including storage systems. IBC SOLAR offers customised packages for energy providers, municipal utilities and providers of photovoltaic solutions.

The company ensure the best possible output of solar parks through technical management and monitoring. IBC SOLAR was founded by Udo Möhrstedt in Bad Staffelstein in 1982 who has managed the company as the Chairman of the Executive Board to date. The system house is a pioneer of the energy turnaround in Germany and is especially committed to energy cooperatives with its own planned public solar parks. The company is represented internationally with numerous regional companies, sales offices and partner companies in more than 30 countries.

South African regional company of the German photovoltaic system provider records initial successes in the distribution and project business

Cape Town, 09 May 2017 – IBC SOLAR AG, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage, has been active since January in the growth market of South Africa with its own regional company. Initial projects all over the country have already been successfully realised. From 16 to 18 May, IBC SOLAR South Africa (Pty) Ltd. will be showcasing its products at African Utility Week in Cape Town, one of the leading trade fairs for the African energy industry, where IBC SOLAR will exclusively launch the new SMA Sunny Boy Generation.

IBC SOLAR has been working together exclusively with its partner maxx | solar energy (Pty) Ltd. in the South African market since 2014. The two companies formed the new company IBC SOLAR South Africa (Pty) Ltd. based in Cape Town in January 2017. IBC SOLAR South Africa now offers its customers a perfect combination: over 35 years' experience of planning and realising PV systems of all sizes, together with an established partner that is familiar with the South African market and has access to a strong network of highly trained PV installers in South Africa.

The Management Board of IBC SOLAR South Africa consists of Albert Engelbrecht (IBC SOLAR AG) and Dieter Ortmann (maxx | solar energy). Locally, General Manager Daniel Haitzler is in charge of the regional company. Together with his team of four people at the Cape Town headquarters and Johannesburg, they are striving to a continuing market success.

“The South African PV market has substantial growth potential. Above all, there is a great need for self-consumption and storage systems for private households and the commercial sector,” says Daniel Haitzler. “In South Africa, we are taking a solution-oriented approach. Instability of the electricity supply and rising power costs are very challenging for private persons and companies alike. That's where we come in. We analyse, advise and offer customers a solution that meets their individual needs, which might be a diesel hybrid, off-grid or storage system.”

At the African Utility Week from 16 to 18 May, visitors to IBC SOLAR (Hall 1, German Pavilion, Stand B7-2) can find out more about the options for energy supply with solar power in South Africa.

The Plastics|SA Clean-Up crews were once again in action at this year’s SA Navy Festival that took place at the Simonstown harbour from the 17th to the 19th of March. 

According to John Kieser, Plastics|SA’s Sustainability Manager and coordinator of the clean-up crews, each year close to 50 000 people visit this event daily for the chance to see some of the country’s biggest naval ships and exhibitions on display.

“This is a very popular festival that is always very well attended by members of the public.  As a result, we find that it also produces the biggest variety of waste,” Kieser says. Large volumes of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), aluminium cooldrink cans and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) were sent away for recycling, whilst organic waste was sent away for composting to Noordhoek.

“We managed to collect approximately 35 large bags of good quality polystyrene that were discarded in the form of take-away containers, but also protective packaging that was used around the ammunition and valuable items that were on display,” Kieser said. This material was delivered to a Cape Town based recycler who uses the post-consumer polystyrene in lightweight concrete used for building and construction applications.  

“Our sincere gratitude goes to the Plastics|SA Sustainability Council for the excellent work they are doing on the ground at these events by working closely with the clean-up crews, but also in manning the exhibition stands where they educate members of the public about the importance of recycling.  Through their on-going, consistent and visible efforts, they bolster the recycling efforts of the various material recovery organisations (MROs) and help us to divert tons of valuable material from our country’s landfills,” says Adri Spangenberg, Director of the Polystyrene Packaging Council (PSPC).

The final big sporting and spectator event on the Plastics|SA Clean-Up crew’s agenda for this month is the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon that will be taking place on the 15th of April 2017.

The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) is pleased to welcome Chembridge Additives as new members.  This specialist distributor of plastic additives is based in Pretoria, and began its operations in 2008 as the appointed agent for Lanxess Germany GmbH and Tanatex Chemicals GmbH - servicing a multitude of industries.  

“We provide plastics additives, phosphorus, specialty chemicals such as organic and inorganic colorants and surfactants to a very wide range of industrial sectors.  Our focus is on the supply of high-quality additives and finishing chemicals for the plastic industry. These products improve the processability of ingredients and the properties of the end products. Our product portfolio includes flame retardants, plasticisers, bonding agents, blowing agents, and colourants. We distribute to all customers, big or small, in any quantity required throughout Southern Africa from our network of warehouses in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town,” explains Deon Steenkamp, owner of Chembridge Additives. 

Commenting on their motivation for joining SAVA, Steenkamp says that the Chembridge products and business philosophy align strongly with SAVA’s Product Stewardship Commitment (PSC).

“We heard about SAVA and the excellent work they are doing through our customers. We wanted to be associated with such a strong industry body that is committed to representing its members’ interests in the Southern Africa region by creating consumer confidence within the industry and by actively developing and sustaining markets for PVC. We are very excited about the prospects SAVA membership will afford our business and look forward to the networking opportunities with other members, which would most definitely have a positive impact on our business,” he said.

“SAVA is dependent on the backing and participation of its members, and we applaud Chembridge Additives for making the public commitment to sustainable practices by joining our ranks.  By steadily growing our membership, we are able to strengthen our voice and expand our influence in the marketplace on topics that have a direct impact on the future of our industry,” said Delanie Bezuidenhout, CEO of SAVA.

“The more we as the local PVC industry can work and stand together, the stronger we can grow.  We welcome any player who is willing to invest the energy, time and money needed to promote the vinyl industry, share ideas and address concerns.  In return, we offer our members a platform where they are equipped to protect their investments through knowledge.  They share a camaraderie that is envied by others and most of them are reaping the rewards of membership through constant business coming their way,” she concluded.

For more information on SAVA visit www.savinyls.co.za or on Chembridge Additives visit www.chembridgeadditives.co.za