RNRF has recently been awarded Preferred Status by the DTI in terms of section 12I of the Income Tax Act.

Section 12 I makes provision for an approved company with Preferred Status to deduct an amount equal to 55% of the cost of any new and unused manufacturing asset used in an industrial policy project in the year of assessment during which the asset is first brought into use.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome Phetogo Investments (PI) headed by Mr. Khutso Mampeule as our preferred partner. PI has a successful track record in Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), and was recognised in the Financial Mail as an example of one of the few Black organisations to successfully implement BBBEE. We are working with PI to define an appropriate broad based empowerment model as well as the financial and governance components of such a partnership.

Yours sincerely

Ian H Armstrong

Chairman

SA’s deep-water harbour launches at Coega 14 Oct 2009 South Africa’s new deep-water harbour, the port of Ngqura near Port Elizabeth, launched operations last week when its first commercial customer, the MSC Catania, docked at the port. The port is an integral part of the Coega Industrial Development Zone, a new initiative that aims to boost the regional economy of the Eastern Cape province. “We are pleased to report that it was all smooth sailing today in terms of portside operations at Ngqura,” Tau Morwe, chief executive of Transnet Port Terminals, said after the inauguration on 4 October. “This experimental start-up indicates we are ready to take the port to the next level.”

Economic development and trade
The port is considered the most modern harbour in Africa. Although sub-Saharan Africa has a number of smaller ports, these are only suitable for medium-sized ships. It will not only boost the economy of the Eastern Cape; it is also an important development for trade in South Africa and the rest of Africa as a whole.

“This is a major announcement which will promote further business expansion and supports
RNRF’s analysis and decision to have its imports and exports handled through Coega”

RNRF Chairman, Mr Ian Armstrong

RNRF was very proud to receive the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Share Advancement in the Southern African Biofuel Feedstock Market. At a gala reception and banquet at the Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg on 27th November, Managing Director – Geoff Mordt – accepted the award on behalf of RNRF. The Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Share Advancement is presented to the company that has demonstrated excellence in increasing market share within its industry. RNRF has demonstrated strategic excellence in product innovation, marketing, and sales strategies. The Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets that demonstrate outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Frost & Sullivan are a global leader in analysis of commodity markets, technologies and econometrics, and serves clients including numerous Global 1000 companies.

“This is a tremendous honour for the entire team at RNRF. We have been recognised for the strategies put in place to advance our market share in the exciting biofuels industry. This Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award is a prestigious acknowledgement of all our efforts in the last three years”

RNRF Chairman, Mr. Ian Armstrong

View Frost & Sullivan press release lauding RNRF

RNRF has received approval for a PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING LICENSE from the Department of Minerals and Energy in Pretoria. The first ever manufacturing license approval to a biofuels manufacturer, this reflects the positive impact that RNRF will have in advancing South Africa’s fuel independence and enhancing its food security. The issuing of the license follows the RNRF business model complying with the Republic of South Africa’s Biofuels Industry Strategy. This clears the way for RNRF to go to full funding of the Coega Soybean Processing and Biodiesel Production Facility. Interested investors are encouraged to enquire without delay click here.

“The granting of this manufacturing license to RNRF, the first ever to a biofuels manufacturer is a powerful endorsement by the Government of RSA of the sustainability of the Company’s Business Model and reflects the important and positive impact RNRF will have on the Nation and people of South Africa”

RNRF Managing Director, Mr Geoff Mordt

Leading corporate business and CA firm BDO Spencer Stewart successfully completes the final stage of its Due Diligence on RNRF. Commissioned by South Africa’s largest bank ABSA, the positive findings of the due diligence support the robust and reliable RNRF business plan. Effecting the final stage of the independent and comprehensive due diligence, BDO have signed off on RNRF without any major concerns.

“The final and successful completion of the Due Diligence by independent and leading CA and business
advisory firm BDO lends further support to the quality and strength of the RNRF business model.”

RNRF Chairman, Mr Ian Armstrong

RNRF is pleased to announce that the preliminary engineering design for its soybean processing and biodiesel production facility at the new Coega IDZ is complete. Engineering, Procurement & Construction Management consultants E+PC were appointed in March and have successfully completed preliminary engineering design, and project management over the last four months. To be commissioned end of 2009 / early 2010, the facility, capable of producing over one million tonnes of high protein soybean meal, and almost 300 million litres of premium quality biodiesel each year will go a long way towards ensuring South Africa’s food and fuel security.

“It is heartening to see a completely independent, world leading Chartered Accounting and Business Advisory firm arrive at substantively the same conclusions as those expounded in the RNRF Business Model “

RNRF Chairman, Mr Ian Armstrong

RNRF Information Area - 2008 NAMPO Agricultural Trade Show

Thousands have passed through the RNRF site at NAMPO to learn more about the benefits of growing soybeans and the opportunity to become a grower of soybeans for the company. Over 60,000 people attend South Africa’s premier farmers’ expo each year. Many farmers came to the RNRF site looking for more profitable crop alternatives to maize, a crop that when compared to soybean has much higher relative input costs and is facing depressed prices due to an expected oversupply and a lack of adequate export infrastructure. RNRF will be attending other farmers’ days around the country this year. For further information please contact info@rnrf.co.za

RNRF Agronomist Leon Killian gives talk about Soybean cultivars to Emerging Farmers at Addo

RNRF is pleased to announce the Inaugural Farmers’ Fields Days were an overwhelming success. Two separate events were held on the 23rd and 24th April at the site of one of RNRF’s successful Soybean Trial Sites in Addo, Eastern Cape. The first event brought together some of the leading commercial farmers, co-ops, and industry groups from around South Africa. The next day was dedicated to Emerging Farmers and was received well, with over 50 attendees of high importance in historically disadvantaged farming circles