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The target sector accounts for 72% of the total agricultural product processing sector in South Africa (food processing also includes some beverage production such as juices and wine). With over 245,000 employees, the industry accounts for nearly 25% of the manufacturing sector's value added. Currently, food processing alone contributes 4.3% to the South African economy.
The food processing, pulp and paper industries rely on the use of water in almost every step of production. Within a plant, sufficient water must be treated, for example, for cleaning raw materials, integration into products, and cooling and heating processes. The processing of agricultural raw materials and intermediate products consumes an estimated 130 million cubic meters of water per year (1% of the total water consumption in South Africa). The resulting wastewater also requires efficient treatment to prevent further depletion of the resource.