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Metals & Engineering News

Steel production increased by 16.5% y/y in May

By: Tasneem Bulbulia Updated 2 hours 47 minutes ago World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to industry association the World Steel Association (worldsteel) increased by 16.5% year-on-year to 174.4-million tonnes in May. Africa’s output increased by 65.1% year-on-year to 1.3-million tonnes in May, while output in the Middle... →

South32 reiterates Paris Agreement, net zero carbon commitment

By: Simone Liedtke Updated 6 hours ago Diversified miner South32 has reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement objectives, with the miner committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In May, South32 announced its target to achieve a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 operational emissions by the 2035 financial year. To... →

South32 CEO Graham Kerr

Seifsa tables three-year wage offer

By: Tasneem Bulbulia Updated 7 hours ago The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa), which represents 19 affiliated employer organisations, has tabled a three-year wage deal. This followed after negotiations were held with labour unions, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, Solidarity,... →

Reviving South Africa's steel sector

18th June 2021 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the newly signed Steel Masterplan and whether it is enough to reignite the revival of South Africa's steel sector. →

Reviving South Africa's steel sector

Infrastructure and import substitution at heart of new master plan’s vision for steel revival

By: Terence Creamer 11th June 2021 A new master plan aimed at stabilising South Africa’s steel industry and creating a platform for the revival of the country’s embattled downstream steel fabricators was signed by representatives from business, labour and government on Friday. The ceremony, which took place amid the constant hum... →

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel outlines the main pillars of the Steel Industry Master Plan at a signing ceremony held at Hall Longmore’s factory in Wadeville, in Gauteng. Camera Work: Kutlwano Matala. Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

Iron-ore scales over three-week high on China demand, supply risks

By: Reuters 11th June 2021 Iron-ore futures jumped on Friday to their highest in more than three weeks, as a rebound in steel inventory in top producer China suggested that demand for the raw material remained brisk. The most-traded September iron ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange rose as much as 4.1% to 1 226 yuan... →

Contracts awarded on strong foundation work

By: Halima Frost 11th June 2021 Concrete foundation specialist Gauteng Piling’s most recent projects have showcased the company’s diverse capabilities in the concrete piling industry. Gauteng Piling contracts manager Keoatlaretse Tema tells Engineering News that two of the projects include the installation of concrete piling... →

CONCRETE SUPPORT A total of 32 concrete piles were needed on the Mbombela Fresh Produce Market project

Product ensures bolt security for safer railways

11th June 2021 Bolt security is essential for optimum safety in all industries, particularly in the railway sector, where demands on rail lines and train components are under increasing pressure, as trains and railway networks become more sophisticated. “Bolt loosening anywhere on railway infrastructure and... →

ADVANCED WEDGE-LOCKING BMG’s Nord-Lock bolt securing system is based on wedge-locking technology, designed to secure bolted joints exposed to severe vibration and dynamic loads in extreme conditions

Association encourages use of zinc to boost rail

By: Cameron Mackay 11th June 2021 International Zinc Association (IZA) Africa Desk head Simon Norton says there is significant opportunity right now to increase the use of refined zinc for hot dip galvanising of steel, with the steel used for new rail infrastructure projects in South Africa. “This would guarantee a long life for... →

PROTECTING RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE Zinc has significant capacity to protect uncoated steel structures against premature corrosion

Iron-ore jumps on supply concerns, shrugs off China price watch

By: Reuters 9th June 2021 Iron-ore futures rose on Wednesday, with the Dalian benchmark contract gaining up to 5.4% after a three-day slump, as worries over supply boosted prices of the steelmaking raw material. The most-traded September iron-ore on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange ended daytime trading 4% higher at 1... →

New Moody’s scores to reflect ESG risks

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th June 2021 Ratings agency Moody’s has published environmental, social and governance (ESG) issuer profile and credit impact scores for various rated issuers in the global metals and mining sector. This follows on the agency’s publication of ESG scores for a range of corporate issuers, utilities and US... →

Tradecore Steel acquires KZN assets of Gibbsteel Pinetown

By: Simone Liedtke 8th June 2021 An acquisition has increased steel supplier Tradecore Steel’s processing capability in KwaZulu-Natal and further consolidates the company’s sub-Saharan footprint. Tradecore has acquired the KwaZulu-Natal assets of Gibbsteel, a producer of value-added steel products. →

EU’s Green Deal will have wide-ranging impact on SA exports, cautions Van Zyl

By: Irma Venter 8th June 2021 Europe’s Green Deal is not just a vision or an idea, but a well-funded policy that is being implemented, and that is set to have a wide-ranging impact on South African exports, says Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) executive chairperson Dr Johan van Zyl. Van Zyl stepped down earlier this year as... →

Johan Van Zyl

Masterplan to position South Africa as ‘globally significant’ renewables manufacturer

By: Terence Creamer 8th June 2021 Department of Mineral Resources and Energy director-general Advocate Thabo Mokoena reports that government intends using the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), which is currently being drafted, to position the country as a “globally significant” producer of inputs used in... →

Iron-ore tumbles as optimism around China demand fades

By: Reuters 7th June 2021 Iron-ore prices tumbled on Monday as China's subdued trade data for May and narrowing steel profit margins dampened the market's enthusiasm about demand prospects for the steelmaking ingredient. China, which accounts for more than half of the world's steel output, imported 89.79 million tonnes of... →

Steel pricing, duties causing discontent

4th June 2021 Creamer Media's Chanel de Bruyn speaks to Engineering News Editor Terence Creamer about the difficulties that continue to affect the domestic steel market, unhappiness about safeguard duties and the way ArcelorMittal South Africa prices its steel and how the steel master plan process may help to... →

Steel pricing, duties causing discontent

New tech to increase boiler inspection accuracy

By: Anna Moross 4th June 2021 Material testing and inspection services specialist DEKRA Industrial’s new non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection service – using the Fast Scanning Thickness- (FST-)Gage inspection technology – will place the company in a strong position as the leader in boiler and burner inspection in... →

FTS-GAUGE ON-SITE INSPECTION FST-Gage inspection technology is a high-priority initiative from DEKRA’s global Industrial Inspection Service division

Institute working to host international event locally

By: Cameron Mackay 4th June 2021 The South African Institute of Tribology (SAIT) is collaborating with industry bodies and relevant government departments to host the International Tribology Council’s (ITC’s) eighth International World Tribology Congress in South Africa in 2025 or 2026, says SAIT president Patrick Swan. “We are... →

Industry insight opportunity for students

By: Anna Moross 4th June 2021 Owing to the fast-paced changes in the boilers and burners sector, technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges have initiated an Occupational Qualification Dual System programme that entails sending students into the industry to ensure that they are prepared when they obtain an... →

BOILERMAKING QUALIFICATION The programme . . . aims to provide students with an opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge from the college while attaining real-time experience at a company

Macsteel seeks reimbursement for ‘unlawful’ duty payments

By: Terence Creamer 3rd June 2021 Macsteel CEO Mike Benfield is confident that the company has a strong legal case against the continued application of an 8% safeguard duty on hot-rolled coil (HRC) and confirms that it is also asking the court for an order granting that it be reimbursed for the duties paid since the extension was... →

Macsteel CEO Mike Benfield

Macsteel launches third Macsteel Express franchise partnership

By: Simone Liedtke 1st June 2021 Steel merchant Macsteel has launched the third of its independently owned Macsteel Express franchise partnerships, in Nelspruit, on June 1. Macsteel launched the first of its two franchise partner concept outlets in February this year in Klerksdorp and Welkom, respectively. →

Steel backlog won’t be solved by eliminating safeguard duties, AMSA avers

By: Terence Creamer 31st May 2021 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has rebuffed increasingly vociferous calls for the elimination of safeguard duties to ease ongoing supply constraints and price increases in the domestic market. CEO Kobus Verster acknowledges that some backlogs, which began to emerge in late 2019... →

Photo by Creamer Media
AMSA CEO Kobus Verster

UCT professor elected as fellow of South African Academy of Engineering

By: Donna Slater 28th May 2021 University of Cape Town (UCT) chemical engineering professor Harro von Blottnitz has been elected a fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE), thereby placing him among an elite group of 213 fellows who stand between the worlds of academia and industry, and who are considered... →

University of Cape Town chemical engineering professor Harro von Blottnitz

Iron-ore benchmarks rise on China's steel output plans

By: Reuters 28th May 2021 Iron-ore futures in Asia rose on Friday, but were set for a third weekly decline on persistent price-control concerns. Top steel producer China's recent statements on steel capacity reforms had sparked worries about tight supply prospects, pushing prices to record highs earlier this month. →

Company to continue local investment

By: Cameron Mackay 28th May 2021 Minerals processing equipment manufacturer Multotec aims to continue investing in modernising its local manufacturing capabilities. “In the long term, we would like to invest in Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to modernise the way we produce. In South Africa, we would rather invest in a... →

INCREASING EFFICIENCY, MAINTAINING QUALITY Multotec aims to continue investing in modernising its local manufacturing capabilities

Company launches new division

By: Cameron Mackay 28th May 2021 Waterjet cutting service provider MAXJET will launch a new manufacturing division, referred to as MAX LINERS, next month. The division will focus on providing a range of products to prevent wear in the materials handling industry. →

SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING MAXJET’s manufacturing processes, which use waterjet cutting to design, supply and process flat part components, is an environmentally green process

Facilities equipped for custom orders

By: Cameron Mackay 28th May 2021 Original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) Kwatani’s fabrication jobbing processes are designed to deliver custom-designed vibrating equipment within timeframes similar to those of other OEMs that deliver standard equipment. “Our processes are based on a job-based system, so the entire production... →

RIAAN STEINMANN, KIM SCHOEPFLIN Operations GM at Kwatani, and CEO, respectively

Products adapted for 4IR applications

By: Cameron Mackay 28th May 2021 Abrasive tools manufacturer PFERD has geared many of its products for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and robotic applications because many customers in the local manufacturing and automotive sectors are automating their processes to increase efficiencies. The company is also focusing on... →

DESIGNED FOR DEMANDING APPLICATIONS A tungsten carbide burr is a cutting tool that is normally used on electric and pneumatic straight grinders

Company improves manufacturing line

By: Cameron Mackay 28th May 2021 Local civil and engineering steel products manufacturer and supplier Stewarts & Lloyds has upgraded certain parts of its high-speed, cut-to-length line, installed last year. Certain modifications have been made to the decoiler to assist in handling coils where the inside diameters of the coil are... →

SERVING A NICHE MARKET The line can process coil in thickness from 0.58 mm to 6 mm and is one of the few local lines able to cut 2-m-wide coils

Manufacturer mitigates supply challenges

By: Theresa Bhowan 28th May 2021 With the global pandemic posing challenges across all industries, the greatest challenge that industrial and electronic supplier Actum faces is the timeous supply of raw materials. “Actum Group is the only authorised manufacturer under licence for BAND-IT stainless steel strapping and buckles... →

FIRM GRIP The BAND-IT stainless steel band clamps spread their clamping force out across the full perimeter of the items they are joining

Quality stainless steel components supplied during pandemic

28th May 2021 Engineering solutions specialists BMG provided engineering components and support services to all sectors during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The BMG team is committed to making sure industry continues to operate as safely and efficiently as possible during this challenging time. It is absolutely... →

COMPLETE SAFETY BMG works closely with its customers in all sectors to ensure that each plant is well-prepared to maintain full production

Machine comes to SA shores

By: Theresa Bhowan 28th May 2021 With the stainless steel industry need for a smaller and more compact rotary brush machine, deburring machine manufacturers Timesavers International has developed the 22 RB series rotary brush machine, which Timesavers’ local distributor and cutting, welding and grinding solutions provider First... →

NEW TECH The 22 RB series is the most compact and affordable model in the company’s RB Series product range

Stainless steel industry shows brighter future

28th May 2021 The stainless steel market is still under pressure following years of economic decline in South Africa’s economy. This was exacerbated by Covid-19 and the measures that government imposed to reduce infections, says Africa-based stainless steel mill Columbus Stainless. After the level four... →

LOOKING UP South Africa's economy is expected to rebound in 2021 and 2022 after the dire impact of Covid-19 last year

State of the stainless steel nation

28th May 2021 Against the backdrop of this year’s State of the Nation Address and the Budget speech, Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) acting executive director Michel Basson took an in-depth look at the ‘state of the stainless steel nation’ and how it is expected to fare in... →

Cabinets for use in multiple industries

28th May 2021 Electrical equipment and wire accessories company Legrand’s Atlantic stainless steel cabinets have been designed for safe use in corrosive conditions and in areas requiring a high level of hygiene. These enclosures are designed for maximum safety and the ordered arrangement and optimum protection... →

TIGHT FIT These enclosures are designed for maximum safety and the ordered arrangement and optimum protection of electrical components

South Africa’s about-turn on solar panels raises industry ire

By: Bloomberg 27th May 2021 South Africa’s plans to buy emergency power, already the subject of a court challenge, face fresh controversy after a local-content requirement for solar-panel frames was scrapped subsequent to the award of the tenders. The 65% local-content requirement on aluminium frames for photovoltaic panels... →

Macsteel confirms court challenge against ‘unlawful’ extension of safeguard duties

By: Terence Creamer 27th May 2021 Opposition to the extension of safeguard duties on steel imports is intensifying, with the country’s leading merchant challenging the extension of the duties in court and with others even questioning the economic benefits of sustaining a primary steel producer in the form of ArcelorMittal South... →

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