Meet six young women who are turning science into sustainability solutions
South Africa’s pulp and paper sector is proving that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand, and young women engineers are helping lead the charge. Through the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa’s (PAMSA) Master’s in Engineering bursary and research programme, launched 15 years ago, a growing cohort of female scientists is transforming waste into value and advancing the country’s circular bioeconomy.
“As a sector centred on the renewability of wood-derived products such as cellulose, paper, packaging and tissue, our students’ research projects enable our members to improve efficiencies and close the loop in the manufacturing process,” says Jane Molony, executive director of PAMSA.
Sonja Boshoff
A 2015 graduate of the programme, Sonja Boshoff, is now a thriving process engineer at Mpact. She was instrumental in early research that led to the launch of a bioethanol demonstration plant in 2024. Her work showed how paper sludge, rich in cellulose, could be converted into bioethanol, a key ingredient in bio-based plastics, industrial chemicals and even sustainable aviation fuel. Today, she continues to champion innovative, sustainable technologies.
Leane de Beer
After completing her MSc in Chemical Engineering at North-West University in 2020, Leane de Beer focused on developing a more cost-effective purification method for lignosulphonate, a lignin-derived by-product of pulping. Her research aimed to elevate a low-value material into higher-value applications, reducing reliance on fossil-based inputs and strengthening the circular economy.
Mahlogonolo Mafela
Now a junior process engineer at Mpact, Mahlogonolo Mafela researched how to optimise energy use during paper formation. By studying vacuum pressure levels used to remove water from pulp, similar to squeezing a sponge, she identified ways to reduce energy consumption while maintaining efficiency, cutting operational costs and environmental impact.
Kelly Campbell
Holding a BEng in Chemical Engineering and completing her MEng at Stellenbosch University, Kelly Campbell is tackling food waste. Her research explores fermenting organic waste into ethanol instead of sending it to a landfill. The approach not only reduces emissions but also creates valuable products for the chemical and transport sectors. She currently works at Mpact as an engineer-in-training.
Lerato Tau
Graduating this year with her master’s from the University of Pretoria, Lerato Tau has introduced a faster and safer way to analyse paper materials using thermogravimetric analysis. Her heat-based testing method reduces laboratory analysis time from three days to six hours, delivering precise insights into material composition without hazardous chemicals.
Gabriela Carzola
Gabriela Carzola, now a process engineer in training, earned distinction for her master’s research at Stellenbosch University. Her project investigated converting papermaking reject material into slow-release fertiliser for commercial forestry plantations, closing the loop between manufacturing and sustainable tree farming.
Together, these women demonstrate how investing in STEM education strengthens South Africa’s forest-products value chain. By turning waste streams into valuable resources and advancing low-carbon alternatives, they are helping secure a more sustainable industrial future.