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Metals & Engineering News

Metal industry sees no need for LME green aluminium platform

By: Reuters 22nd September 2020 The London Metal Exchange does not need a separate platform to trade low carbon aluminium and should focus instead on services its users need more urgently, such as a euro-denominated steel contract, metal industry sources told Reuters. As pressure mounts on investors and companies to prove their... →

Hulamin expects to return to profitability in the second half of this year

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 21st September 2020 Significant cost reduction efforts, coupled with stringent controls over working capital, helped to reduce the impact of Covid-19-related restrictions on aluminium supplier Hulamin's performance for the six months ended June 30, CEO Richard Jacob said on September 21. The company noted that cost... →

Richard Jacob

Global chromium production impacted by Covid-19 outbreak, says ICDA

By: Schalk Burger 21st September 2020 Global chromium production impacted by Covid-19 outbreak, says ICDA Chromium production and consumption remained constrained during the second quarter of this year, in line with lockdown restrictions implemented in various countries, says the International Chromium Development Association (ICDA). →

South African steel sector requires investment, increased local procurement

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 21st September 2020 The global spread of Covid-19 has locked the local steel industry in a chokehold, further weakening the already distressed manufacturing sector, says steel manufacturing company Veer Steel Mills business strategy and projects manager Neil Reddy. “The synergy is such that the steel industry will... →

Seifsa joins forces with Leon Viljoen to support SMEs

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 9th September 2020 Industry organisation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has partnered with manufacturing industry veteran Leon Viljoen to provide support, guidance and advice to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them run successful and sustainable... →

Stewarts & Lloyds relaunches retail store in Booysens

By: Halima Frost 4th September 2020 Steel and tube supplier Stewarts & Lloyds Booysens branch manager Ryan Purdon tells Engineering News & Mining Weekly that the group plans to open its Booysens-based retail store, at the end of the month. “Stewarts & Lloyds anticipates that the brand-new retail store, which embodies a new look... →

New product range decreases welding risks

4th September 2020 Industrial equipment supplier BMG’s Tools & Equipment division has introduced a range of specialist products, systems and services to assist industry to create a healthy and safe work environment, by reducing the risks associated with welding and cutting fumes, grinding dust and oil mist. “Global... →

MOBILE SAFETY BMG's Plymovent solution allows for a mobile extraction unit to be placed at the source of the fumes improving safety on site

New welding helmet offers better clarity

4th September 2020 Welding equipment producer ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has launched its new Savage A40 automatic welding helmet. Launched in July, the new Savage A40 automatic welding helmet provides ideal functionality for the occasional and professional welder at an attractive price. →

AESTHETICALLY EASING The new welding helmet offered by ESAB Welding & Cutting enhances the clarity and colour seen by the welder, allowing for better welds

Updated range to improve rotational moulding

By: Cameron Mackay 4th September 2020 Rotational moulding equipment provider Roto Solutions released the latest version among its range of TempLogger temperature monitoring and control systems last month. TempLogger is a real-time temperature-monitoring and -control system, capable of continuous monitoring and requiring minimal... →

CLOSER CONTROL TempLogger is a real-time temperature-monitoring and -control system, and assists operators in maintaining an ideal processing temperature for inside a mould

Digital platforms used for lectures

By: Halima Frost 4th September 2020 The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) launched online learning for students at its Cape Town and Durban welding schools in April after Covid-19 lockdown restrictions prevented students from attending lectures. The students join lectures taking place in Johannesburg through digital... →

Southern African Institute of Welding executive director John Tarboton and business development manager Etienne Nell discuss welding students’ use of simulation and digital training.

SAIW helps Ethiopia to train welders

By: Halima Frost 4th September 2020 The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) has been approached by the Centre of Excellence for Engineering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to assist in a substantial training and certification initiative to boost Ethiopia’s welder capacity. The aim of the collaboration is to develop more than 2... →

Southern African Institute of Welding Certifications CEO Herman Potgieter discusses the institute’s involvement in Africa and more so Ethiopia.

Institute developing app for students

By: Halima Frost 4th September 2020 The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) will launch its new Prospectus application (app) for Android and iOS operating systems ahead of 2021’s student registrations. “Prospectus, as the name implies, is a comprehensive guide to all the courses on offer by the SAIW,” says SAIW CEO John... →

PATH FINDER The new Prospectus app being introduced by The Southern African Institute of Welding will help prospective welders chose their career path

Seifsa, trade unions adopt standstill main agreement

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 1st September 2020 The 19 employer associations affiliated to industry body the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) and the industry’s five trade unions on September 1 formally adopted the 2020 to 2021 standstill main agreement concluded in August. The collective agreement,... →

Covid-19 continues to disrupt mining and metals sector

By: Donna Slater 31st August 2020 The mining and metals industry is being deeply impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as the situation continues to evolve and the virus spreads throughout the world, reports financial risk management, solutions and insights company Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research. The firm notes... →

Increased selling price inflation offers relief, says Seifsa

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 27th August 2020 The increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI) for intermediate manufactured goods in the metals and engineering (M&E) sector is expected to ease the pressure on struggling businesses as demand stagnates despite easing lockdown restrictions, industry organisation Steel and Engineers Industries... →

Often-overlooked duplex stainless steels better for corrosion resistance

By: Donna Slater 27th August 2020 Duplex stainless steels, which have a higher chromium content and lower nickel content, are more resistant to pitting and can withstand higher temperatures, which make them a viable solution to unique applications that have a higher likelihood of pitting, says Chemical Corrosion Services... →

AMSA declares force majeure after blast furnace breakdown

By: Reuters 26th August 2020 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has declared force majeure after a breakdown of a blast furnace at its Newcastle Works in KwaZulu-Natal province, it said on Wednesday. The clause of force majeure, loosely translated as superior force, allows certain terms of an otherwise legally... →

Kibo advancing PPA discussions for Mozambique projects

By: Creamer Media Reporter 26th August 2020 A grid impact assessment and integration study for multi-asset energy company Kibo Energy's Benga power plant project (BPPP), in Mozambique, has been completed and submitted to power utility Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM). This forms part of the definitive feasibility study optimisation and... →

Covid-19 disruptions cut global steel production

By: Donna Slater 25th August 2020 Global crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 2.5% lower year-on-year at 152.7-million tonnes in July. Worldsteel notes that because of the ongoing difficulties presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, many of July's figures are estimates... →

Covid-19 impacts business landscape in the steel manufacturing industry, says Macsteel

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 24th August 2020 African manufacturer, merchandiser and distributor of steel and value-added products Macsteel is planning to leverage on technology to sustain its business growth as part of its post-Covid-19 business continuity plan. This after the spread of Covid-19 created business disruption around the world,... →

Nival Porun

Insimbi ‘cautiously optimistic’ as earnings fall

By: Simone Liedtke 24th August 2020 Germiston-based foundry Insimbi Industrial Holdings remains cautiously optimistic for the year ahead as its headline earnings a share for the financial year ended February 29, was 25% lower year-on-year at 10c a share. Earnings a share also decreased, but by 32% year-on-year, to 8c a share. →

Transnet signals intent to support domestic manufacture of rail despite global tender

By: Terence Creamer 24th August 2020 State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has signalled its intention to support the localisation of rail manufacture, but is simultaneously proceeding with a global tender for the supply of 60 kg a metre of head hardened rail, which it describes as an interim solution for meeting its... →

Seifsa calls for urgent business support following economic resumption

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th August 2020 As South Africa ends its first week under alert Level 2 of the national lockdown, industry organisation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) is hopeful that the increased economic activity from the reopening of key sectors will boost the recovery of metals... →

South32 progressing negotiations with Eskom for Hillside

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th August 2020 Dual-listed South32 is making good progress with its negotiations with State-owned power utility Eskom on electricity prices for its Hillside aluminium smelter in Richards Bay, the group said during a media call on August 20. COO Mike Fraser said the group had reached an agreement with Eskom on a... →

Graham Kerr

DTIC makes case for export tax on scrap ahead of infrastructure-led recovery effort

By: Terence Creamer 19th August 2020 The Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) has again underlined its support for the implementation of an export tax on scrap metal as a way of securing supply for domestic scrap-consuming industries and sustaining primary steel production capacity ahead of government’s proposed... →

Neasa withdraws High Court application to interdict more custom duties

By: Marleny Arnoldi 14th August 2020 The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) has withdrawn its urgent application in the Gauteng High Court to stop the implementation of a 10% import tariff and custom duties on coated flat-rolled products. Neasa had launched an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court last... →

Company’s belt products ideal for diverse sectors

14th August 2020 Equipment supplier BMG’s Light Materials Handling division supplies and supports a comprehensive range of belting products which are suitable for use in diverse sectors, including high-temperature applications, like in furnaces in glass bottle manufacturing. “Owing to extreme heat generated from... →

HANDLING THE HEAT BMG’s high-temperature Cambridge Knuckleback belts are recommended for safe and efficient conveying near ovens, kilns and furnaces

Women’s network growing steadily

By: Darren Parker 14th August 2020 The Protea Network – for women working in the predominantly male-dominated steel and other market sectors – is growing steadily and organically since its launch in April, says steel fabrication company Betterect MD Nicolette Skjoldhammer. She launched the network to provide women in the industry... →

NICOLETTE SKJOLDHAMMER The objective of the Protea Network for this year is to encourage and facilitate online forum membership, where members can engage on a daily basis

Steel awards go virtual

By: Darren Parker 14th August 2020 The South African Institute for Steel Construction’s (SAISC’s) yearly Steel Awards will be judged and hosted virtually through a dedicated application (app) this year. This comes on the back of efforts to mitigate restrictions on social gatherings and take advantage of the digital marketing... →

VIRTUOSITY ASSESSED Small teams of judges attend sites physically, observing Covid-19 health and safety protocols, while others attend site visits virtually

Greater collaboration needed in steel supply chain

By: Darren Parker 14th August 2020 To ensure security of steel supply, the South African Institute for Steel Construction (SAISC) is calling for greater collaboration among all players in the local steel supply chain, from upstream producers to downstream merchants. Local steel demand was low before the Covid-19 pandemic, which... →

Photo by Adobe
RELIABLE ROLLOUT? The security of steel supply is a key concern for downstream merchants and fabricators

Modular panel bridge project makes headway

By: Darren Parker 14th August 2020 Machinery and tools supplier Bosch Specialised Equipment (BSE) has successfully delivered 11 new modular panel bridges to Dunnottar Military Base in Nigel, in Gauteng, which will, in turn, be delivered to various locations across KwaZulu-Natal, to be erected over the next 18 months. BSE director... →

OVER TROUBLED WATERS The bridges help to prevent incidents of drowning and attacks on pedestrians

Market disruption expected to continue after Covid-19

By: Darren Parker 14th August 2020 The world will most likely never revert to pre-2020 norms, says steel grating and related products supplier Vital Engineering director Glen Pringle. He tells Engineering News that he expects continued market disruption and the rethinking of various elements of the market, including supply chains. →

GRATE CHANGE AHEAD Vital Engineering needs to ensure that it is as agile as possible to take advantage of the ever-changing status quo

New duties another dose of 'slow poison' to steel industry, says Neasa

By: Marleny Arnoldi 11th August 2020 The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) has reiterated its dissatisfaction with government's approval of an extended 8% safeguard duty on hot rolled coil, bringing the total duty payable on this product to 18%. This follows after Neasa launched an urgent application in the... →

Furnace company to capitalise on increased gold price

By: Cameron Mackay 7th August 2020 Despite unfavourable local market conditions, furnace-related services provider Custom Furnaces South Africa intends to capitalise on a gold price that has been increasing this year. Custom Furnaces project engineer Nicholas Lucas says the improved gold price has instigated a “rebirth” in the... →

GOLDEN TARGET The company is looking to improve its offering in the local gold sector, focusing on its carbon regeneration kilns and ancillary equipment

Seifsa says high court ruling in favour of the DTIC ‘gives hope’

By: Simone Liedtke 6th August 2020 The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has welcomed the High Court ruling in favour of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) in a procurement matter, saying that it will boost struggling local businesses amid the pandemic-induced economic... →

Penguin guano seen from space leads to discovery of new colonies

By: Bloomberg 5th August 2020 Satellite-mapping technology that detects stains on the ice from penguin droppings has revealed there are nearly 20% more Emperor colonies than previously identified in fast-warming Antarctica. Eleven new colonies of the species were found, taking the census to 61 across the polar continent,... →

Neasa approaches High Court to stop new steel import duties

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd August 2020 The National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) has filed an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court to stop the implementation by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) of a 10% import tariff and custom duties on coated flat-rolled products.... →

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