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Metals & Engineering News

Machine comes to SA shores

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 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... →

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... →

Iron-ore tumbles as China's price warning grips markets

By: Reuters 24th May 2021 Asia's iron-ore futures tumbled on Monday, leading another bout of selling in the metals complex, after China's state planner warned against commodity price manipulation and vowed to clamp down on speculative trading. The most-traded iron-ore contract for September delivery on China's Dalian... →

Hydrogen and natural gas blend steel forging process tested

By: Schalk Burger 21st May 2021 The world’s first test of a 30% natural gas/hydrogen blend in the forging processes used in industrial steelmaking involved using the mixture to heat the furnaces of steelmaker Giva Group's Forgiatura A Vienna plant, in Milan, Italy. The test was successfully carried out on site after a series of... →

Global crude steel production increased 23.3% y/y in April

By: Schalk Burger 21st May 2021 World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to industry body the World Steel Association increased by 23.3% year-on-year to 169.5-million tonnes in April. China produced 97.9-million tonnes in April, representing a 13.4% year-on-year increase, while India's output increased by... →

New research shows South Africa well-placed to export ‘green iron’ to EU

By: Terence Creamer 20th May 2021 Initial research conducted for the Deep Decarbonisation Pathways (DDP) project in collaboration with the National Business Initiative (NBI) indicates that there is an emerging opportunity for South Africa to produce so-called “green iron” for export to international steelmakers seeking to... →

Iron-ore slumps as China steps up efforts to curb soaring prices

By: Reuters 20th May 2021 Chinese iron ore and steel futures led a selloff across the nation's metals complex on Thursday after the government sought stricter oversight of commodity markets to curb exorbitant prices, sparking a broad-based correction. September iron ore on the Dalian Commodity Exchange ended daytime... →

The world economy is suddenly running low on everything

By: Bloomberg 17th May 2021 A year ago, as the pandemic ravaged country after country and economies shuddered, consumers were the ones panic-buying. Today, on the rebound, it’s companies furiously stocking up. Mattress producers to car manufacturers to aluminum foil makers are buying more material than they need to survive... →

Iron-ore rebounds as China mills churn out steel at record pace

By: Bloomberg 17th May 2021 Iron-ore futures climbed back above $200 a ton as soaring steel production in China showed there’s no sign of the industry cooling despite government attempts to rein in output from last year’s record of over one-billion tons. Crude steel output in April rose to 97.9-million tons to hit monthly... →

PPC Lime’s new owners to focus on developing markets, community wellbeing

By: Marleny Arnoldi 17th May 2021 The new owner of PPC Lime, Kgatelopele Lime, will focus on developing new markets for its product and expanding its customer base. Kgatelopele is a consortium made up of mineral resources trader IMR Resources South Africa, mining-focused investment holding companies Kolobe Nala Investment Lime... →

PPC Lime manufacturing facility, in the Northern Cape

Iron-ore slumps again as steel hub asks mills to control surge

By: Bloomberg 14th May 2021 Iron-ore futures tumbled as China’s top steel-making hub ramped up efforts to control a dizzying surge in prices. Futures in Dalian dropped the daily limit, while prices in Singapore extended a slump from a record $233.75 a ton on Wednesday amid concerns about the sustainability of the rally. In... →

CNC machine bolsters company offering

By: Halima Frost 14th May 2021 Waterjet cutting service provider MaxJet Global has invested in a new computer numerical control (CNC) waterjet machine to bolster its specialised flange and seal offerings for the valves sector. The CNC waterjet machine, one of the first installations of its kind in Africa is equipped with newly... →

PERFECTLY NESTED The flanges and seals made on the new CNC waterjet machine are suited in design and material for perfect nesting

Company aims to gain territory with faceless seal

By: Claire O'Reilly 14th May 2021 Mechanical seal supply and distribution company Pactor “is ready to break into potential markets”, as the local distributor of the Air-Shaft leak prevention system (LPS), says Pactor MD Kobus Swanepoel. →

TAMAR PUMP SHAFT SEAL 730-TP Faceless seal used in airshaft LPS systems

Ideal gasket storage and maintenance of plant is crucial

By: Claire O'Reilly 14th May 2021 Inadequate storage and the mishandling of gaskets, as well as inaccurate gasket material selection for an application – often treated as trivial or an afterthought – can be critical in precluding monetary losses and even dangerous occurrences, says industrial gaskets and sealing material... →

STORAGE CONDITIONS Gaskets are often treated as an afterthought, often even ordered last, when in fact it is one of the most critical parts of any application to ensure a plant functions properly

Numsa initiates negotiations in metals, engineering industry

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 13th May 2021 Metal workers trade union the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has given notice of its intention to initiate wage negotiations at the Metals and Engineering Industry Bargaining Council (MEIBC). In terms of the MEIBC constitution, it will now meet to facilitate and provide a... →

Seifsa postpones metals, engineering indaba and awards

By: Schalk Burger 12th May 2021 Industry body the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) on May 12 announced that the 2021 Seifsa Awards for Excellence and the sixth Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba have been postponed indefinitely owing to concerns about the rising Covid-19 cases... →

Iron-ore’s ‘ridiculous’ prices to stay as fear grips commodities

By: Bloomberg 12th May 2021 Iron-ore’s stunning surge won’t fade anytime soon because buyers remain nervous about being caught short as global demand accelerates amid lingering supply threats, according to a veteran commodities trader. The steelmaking material forged new all-time highs this week, soaring past $220 a ton... →

Seifsa encouraged by manufacturing output growth in March

By: Marleny Arnoldi 11th May 2021 The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has described the year-on-year improvement in manufacturing production in March as encouraging, despite coming off a low base, with March 2020's output having been negatively impacted on by lockdown restrictions.... →

Iron-ore turns ‘very, very hot’ as prices jump 10% in minutes

By: Bloomberg 10th May 2021 Iron-ore futures leaped higher as trading opened on Monday, extending a record run amid rampant Chinese demand and a wider surge in commodity prices as the global economy recovers. Futures in Singapore jumped more than 10% to hit a fresh record high of $226 a ton. The steelmaking raw material is... →

New unit designed for efficiency

7th May 2021 Industrial products provider, BMG’s new NORD DuoDrive unit, an integrated geared unit that combines the recently launched NORD IE5+ synchronous motor and a single-stage helical gear unit in one compact housing, has been designed for optimum system efficiency. →

NORD DUODRIVE BMG’s new NORD DuoDrive unit - an integrated geared unit that combines the recently launched NORD IE5+ synchronous motor and a single-stage helical gear unit in one compact housing - has been designed for optimum system efficiency.

Prevailing low capacity use in manufacturing industry a worry for Seifsa

By: Donna Slater 6th May 2021 Persistent low levels of capacity use in the manufacturing sector and low demand for locally manufactured goods are “worrying” trends compounding the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions that are limiting operations at industrial plants, says the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of... →

Iron-ore’s blistering rally sets sights on $200 as steel booms

By: Bloomberg 5th May 2021 A surge in steel consumption as the world emerges from its pandemic-induced slump is set to drive iron-ore to an unprecedented high as the biggest miners struggle to keep up with the frenzied pace of demand. Expectations are building that benchmark prices can get to $200/t -- topping the record... →

Desmond Maharaj resigns as AMSA CFO

By: Simone Liedtke 4th May 2021 Desmond Maharaj has resigned as CFO and executive director of steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) to pursue personal opportunities outside of the business. AMSA expects Maharaj to step down no earlier than July 31 and no later than September 30, giving it ample opportunity to identify... →

Solutions for all sectors provided in KZN

30th April 2021 Equipment supplier BMG’s regional service centre (RSC) in Riverhorse Valley, KwaZulu-Natal, plays a critical role in the province by providing engineering solutions – including hydraulics and pneumatics services – designed to optimise productivity for every customer. “The consolidation of BMG’s... →

VALVE SHUT-OFF SYSTEM This emergency system is hydraulically operated in case of a power failure. The hydraulic system was designed and manufactured by the BMG team in KZN

Biden's EU trade dilemma: more pain for Harley, distillers or back off metals tariffs?

By: Reuters 29th April 2021 The Biden administration faces a major dilemma in its dispute with the European Union over Trump-era steel and aluminum tariffs: back down to avoid acute pain for Harley-Davidson Inc and whiskey distillers or stick with the duties even though they are now exacerbating acute shortages for US... →

China boosts bid to cut steel output with import tax changes

By: Bloomberg 28th April 2021 China stepped up its drive to rein in steel production and fight rocketing iron ore prices by canceling import taxes on some steelmaking materials and raising costs for exporters. Import fees on pig iron, semi-finished and scrap steel will be set to zero from May 1, the Ministry of Finance said... →

China steel, iron-ore futures hit record highs on strong demand, supply fears

By: Reuters 26th April 2021 Chinese steel futures closed at all-time highs on Monday, underpinned by robust demand and concerns over production curbs, while benchmark iron ore prices hit record highs, fuelled by structural supply shortage. The northwest Shaanxi province recently urged local departments, as requested by... →

World crude steel production up 15.2% y/y in March

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd April 2021 World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 169.2-million tonnes in March, marking a 15.2% increase year-on-year. Global crude steel production for the first three months of 2021 was 486.9-million tonnes, representing a 10%... →

Covid clouds metal fabrications industry

By: Nadine Ramdass 23rd April 2021 The Covid-19 pandemic has had a ripple effect on the metal fabrications industry, resulting in low investment, job losses and a decrease in opportunities and development, among other challenges, says structural, mechanical and welding engineering provider New Age Engineering Solutions operational... →

Shadow Work New Age Engineering Solutions prioritises skills development

Investment needed to revive industry

By: Nadine Ramdass 23rd April 2021 South African metal fabricators and government have to invest in the industry to compete with cheap imports from countries such as China, says valve manufacturer Dynamic Fluid Control executive director and COO Mlungisi Cele. Although there is demand for metal fabricators, owing to construction... →

Mlungisi Cele Only locally manufactured products should qualify as local content

DPD Laser to buy 110 Cryo-Vacc Covid-19 vaccine containers from Renergen

By: Simone Liedtke 21st April 2021 Domestic natural gas and helium producer Renergen and local express courier partner DPD Laser have inked an agreement for Renergen to manufacture the first 110 Cryo-Vacc units for supply to DPD. The Cryo-Vacc is suitable for both air and ground transportation. Liquid nitrogen is used to keep the... →

The Cryo-Vacc

Iron-ore stretches gains on global steel demand recovery

By: Reuters 19th April 2021 Iron-ore prices in Asia pushed higher on Monday as strengthening global steel demand buoyed sentiment, and as Chinese steel mills continued to ramp up output despite the government's scrutiny of their compliance with stricter anti-pollution rules. The most-traded September iron ore on China's... →

Worldsteel forecasts 5.8% steel demand growth in 2021 and 2.7% growth in 2022

By: Schalk Burger 15th April 2021 Industry body the World Steel Association (worldsteel), in its 'Short Range Outlook for 2021 and 2022', forecasts that steel demand will grow by 5.8% to 1.87-billion tonnes this year. In 2022, steel demand will grow by a further 2.7% to reach 1.92-billion tonnes. →

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