Eco-innovation in South African manufacturing enterprises: trends and benefits

Abstract

This policy brief examines how innovative manufacturing enterprises have embarked on eco-innovative initiatives and contribute to sustainable manufacturing. The research results indicate that the refined petroleum, coke and nuclear fuel sector and the food and beverage sector are the most likely to introduce innovations with environmental benefits. The percentage of innovation-active enterprises is much higher than the percentage of enterprises that introduce innovations with environmental benefits. This shows that there is an 'eco-innovation gap' that needs to be addressed.