SUGAR MILLING RESEARCH INSTITUTE UPS THE ANTE ON TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION AS IT CELEBRATES 75!
The highly regarded Sugar Milling Research Institute NPC (SMRI) recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Above: The SMRI has a proud history … now busy creating the future
“Over the decades, the SMRI has evolved in response to shifting industry needs, global trends, and environmental challenges. Through our research and technical programmes, we have helped factories optimise performance, improve product quality, and adopt best practices. We have trained generations of sugar technologists, developed cutting-edge analytical methodologies, and fostered partnerships across the value chain,” said Dr Janice Dewar, Chief Executive Officer of SMRI.
The event, which took place at the institute’s offices at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, was attended by various industry stakeholders and senior government officials. Industry representation included the South African Sugar Millers’ Association, the leadership of the milling companies, the South African Sugar Association, South African Farmers Development Association and South African Cane Growers’ Association.
Above: (From left) Dr Mlungisi Cele, Director-General: Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Dr Janice Dewar, Chief Executive Officer of SMRI
Dr Dewar extolled her predecessors, former and current staff for their invaluable contribution since the establishment, in 1949, of the SMRI. One of the past directors, Dr Brian Purchase, who retired in 2003, was in attendance. “The true strength of the SMRI lies in its people — past and present. I honour the legacy of the engineers, scientists, and technologists who laid the foundation for our success, and I deeply appreciate the dedication and excellence of our current team.”
ABOVE: Dorothy Maseke from ANCA & FSD Africa giving the Keynote Address: Unlocking the future of Sugarcane through the bioeconomy.
The SMRI has grown in leaps and bounds since it first opened its doors. “Since its modest beginnings, the SMRI has grown its membership base and has expanded its membership classes, and we now serve members in 10 African countries and beyond, offering analytical, consulting, and training services that have positioned us as a continental leader in sugarcane processing. But the SMRI’s main reason for being has remained servicing the technical, and research and development needs of the South African sugar companies and now also their affiliated companies in other African countries,” said
Dr Dewar.
Above & below: Invited guests enjoyed a tour of the SMRI’s world-class facilities, and gained insight into the Institute’s advanced technical capabilities, state-of-the art equipment, and pioneering research initiatives designed to deliver substantial value to its members".
She highlighted the following SMRI achievements over the past 75 years:
- Development of methods of analysis for fructose, glucose and sucrose enabled the South African sugar industry to transition from pol-based to sucrose-based factory control and cane payment basis, and enabled better understanding of inversion losses.
- Development and introduction of the SMRI-NIRS technology revolutionised factory control, enabling rapid and accurate analysis of multiple analytes across the sugar mills in South Africa and across the continent.
- Innovations in diffuser optimisation, including tracer testing and modelling, have enhanced extraction efficiency.
- Computational fluid dynamics modelling of clarifiers has helped to improve designs and identify problems in operating clarifiers, while the SMRI’s research into evaporator operation, scaling and cleaning has led to improvements in energy efficiency.
- Sucrose inversion losses in clarifiers and evaporators have been reduced by research into the mechanisms and applications of preventative measures.
- The SMRI was instrumental in the development and implementation of the very high pol crystallisation boiling scheme which improved raw sugar recovery and quality.
- Development of a system to optimise separation of C-sugar and final molasses.
- The PREPEX technology (the SMRI’s first patent), which combines preparation and extraction using high-pressure water jets, exemplifies SMRI’s inventive spirit and commitment to cost-effective solutions.
- One of the SMRI’s most exciting innovative projects is the development of a Continuous Seed Preparation System, considered the “holy grail” of crystallisation, could significantly improve the effectiveness of boiling houses.
Dr Dewar revealed that since 1964, the SMRI had trained more than 1 300 professionals through their introductory courses, nearly 640 engineers through their flagship training course the Ten-Week Course in Sugar Engineering and the online version, the Advanced Programme in Sugarcane Processing, and through specialised and practical training, the institute had trained many pan boilers, analysts, chemists, and technologists.
The SMRI has been an integral part of the Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan to 2030, whose apex priorities include the optimisation of the local sugar market and coming up with clearly defined diversified solutions. Through the master plan process, the industry has identified several product diversification opportunities which may assist to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, which has in the recent past faced serious challenges, which proved inimical to its growth.
Above, Left to Right: Gail Hart-Jones, SMRI Finance and Administration Manager with James Sakwa and Elaine Ram of the Technology Innovation Agency.
“Diversifying into bio-based products can drive rural development, retain jobs, and build resilience. This is a central pillar of Phase Two of the Master Plan. Since adoption of Phase One of the Master Plan in 2020, and with funding from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Technology Innovation Agency, the SMRI’s diversification projects have focused on trying to identify commercially viable sugarcane-based product opportunities that can take up to 400 kt/y of raw sugar equivalents.”
Above: SMRI tour guides for the day.
She added: “To accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future, on 4 March 2025, the SMRI Board approved the establishment of the Sugarcane Bioeconomy Unit (SBU). With a focus on miller-specific matters, this new SMRI division will lead efforts in product diversification, climate resilience, and long-term sustainability. This not only marks a strategic evolution of the SMRI’s mandate, but a powerful commitment to shaping a future where innovation and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand.”