The Impact of Load Shedding on the Poultry Industry: A Deeper Look
Load shedding affects all South Africans on a daily basis, and all industries are affected in some way. However, its repercussions go much deeper than simply being without power. Load shedding is resulting in problems in the South African poultry industry, with a large number of chicks at risk due to temperature fluctuations.
Pratliperl® Mineral Product: A Revolutionary Solution for Stable Poultry Farming
As a testament to constant innovation and support of the agricultural sector, a local manufacturer has found a novel application for its Pratliperl® mineral product.
The product, when mixed with cement, produces an energy saving, ultra-lightweight, thermally insulating and fireproof concrete “The results at poultry farms have been amazing. Applied as a 16 mm plaster layer onto the walls, it has been shown to effectively regulate the temperature in both warm and cold periods,” says Rudi Coetzee.
“There have been instances where farmers have lost thousands of chicks a day due to load shedding,” highlights Coetzee. “In terms of costs, poultry farms need to be as stable as possible. Load shedding and fluctuating fuel prices are cause for concern.”
Stepping up to the plate to assist the agricultural industry, Coetzee has been visiting poultry farmers to explain the benefits of insulating buildings with his product which can also be applied as a floor screed. Simply insulating the floor and walls allows a poultry house to effectively self-regulate its temperature during load shedding. “You do not want a sudden drop or increase in temperature that cannot be controlled, as it obviously has a big impact on the chicks,” says Coetzee.
A newly constructed poultry house constructed with load shedding in mind.
Pratliperl® Mineral Product: A Modern Solution for Energy-Efficient Construction
The new product is ideal for a range of applications, including thermally insulating plasters and screeds. It is best described as a modern solution for energy-efficient building. Derived from a volcanic glass called Perlite, the raw material is expanded in special proprietary furnaces to create millions of small, well-sealed Pratliperl® beads.
Each bead has a small vacuum inside, giving the product its unique thermal insulation properties. When mixed with cement, the product is also ideal for producing ultra-lightweight panels, boards, bricks, and blocks that can be cut, nailed, and drilled.