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Metals & Engineering News

Pandemic dashes hopes for a domestic steel sector turnaround

By: Simone Liedtke 12th June 2020 The international Covid-19 outbreak, which has disrupted the South African and the global economy, has thrown another “a spanner in the works” for the already embattled domestic steel sector and could seriously hamper, or even prevent, a recovery. The pandemic has already ruined any hopes of a... →

African supply chains can unlock sustained economic growth post pandemic

12th June 2020 The current Covid19-related economic challenges, locally and throughout Africa, starkly highlight the need for pan-African companies and governments to support African supply chains and, in so doing, boost economic activity on the continent. This can be achieved by procuring the production of... →

Plan unveiled to prevent aircraft corrosion

5th June 2020 As hundreds of aircraft remain grounded owing to plummeting air travel demand amid pandemic restrictions, the question arising is how airlines can preserve as much value as possible, while high-dollar assets sit idle for an indefinite period. To address this critical need, corrosion solution... →

FLIGHT PRESERVATION Cortec has designed an aircraft preservation guide based on the practical advantages of VpCI technology

Improved welding helps local company alleviate corrosion

By: Cameron Mackay 5th June 2020 Foundry and engineering company Thos Begbie has developed and improved its welding processes to weld dissimilar metals to copper to mitigate the effects of erosion, particularly chemical corrosion, in the local industry. “It is commonly known that copper is an ideal material to be used in the... →

REFINED HARD-FACING WELDING As the demand and quantity of components requiring hard-facing increased, Thos Begbie begun looking at alternative methods of conducting specialised welding

Worldsteel says demand will contract by 6.4% this year owing to Covid-19

By: Simone Liedtke 4th June 2020 The World Steel Association (worldsteel) expects global steel demand to contract by 6.4% this year, as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. In its Short Range Outlook (SRO) for 2020 and 2021, released on June 4, the industry body states that steel demand is, however, expected to increase by 3.8%... →

Barloworld, Tongaat contractual dispute to take longer to resolve

By: Marleny Arnoldi 4th June 2020 JSE-listed industrial group Barloworld has advised that it has not reached consensus with fellow-listed Tongaat Hulett about an independent accountant that is supposed evaluate the terms of a sale and purchase agreement between the companies. Barloworld in May raised a concern about Tongaat’s... →

United Steel condemns unnecessary protest at old Metso steel mill

By: Marleny Arnoldi 2nd June 2020 International metals and minerals company United Steel, a division of United Heavy Industries, has disassociated itself from allegations that jobs are up for sale at its steel mill, and condemned the protest action at the site, in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal, on June 1. The company recently acquired... →

Transnet meets with AMSA to talk freight issues, unlocking more value

By: Marleny Arnoldi 2nd June 2020 Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has met with ArcelorMittal South Africa to address concerns raised by the steel producer regarding TFR’s impact on its business operations. This forms part of TFR’s efforts to improve efficiencies and productivity, especially when freight issues are contributing to... →

EU to revamp steel-import controls as virus-hit economy recovers

By: Bloomberg 1st June 2020 The European Union plans to revamp its steel-import restrictions to guard against major market distortions as the bloc’s economy recovers from the effects of the pandemic. The proposed changes apply to EU import curbs introduced two years ago to prevent a controversial 25% US levy on foreign... →

Global mining industry will need to operate, sustain itself under new normal post Covid-19

By: Simone Liedtke 29th May 2020 The mining and metals industry will need to operate under a new normal post Covid-19, one in which it can operate and sustain itself under the new constraints and challenges that a post-pandemic world brings with it, says industry research company Fitch Solutions. The pandemic and its aftermath... →

R&D on hold to keep doors open

By: Tracy Hancock 29th May 2020 Stainless steel cylinder manufacturer Jooste Cylinder & Pump Company has implemented various measures, such as delaying research and development (R&D) projects, to assist staff as much as possible and “keep the doors open” amid the Covid-19 crisis. “Jooste re-invests much of its income in new... →

Local tanks on track for delivery to Zim mine

29th May 2020 Ten large steel tanks for diversified miner RioZim’s Cam and Motor gold mine, in Zimbabwe, are on schedule to be installed by South African stainless steel fabrication and erection specialist Betterect, as part of the mine’s gold processing plant expansion. This is notwithstanding inherent... →

SIGNIFICANT SUPPLY Columbus Stainless supplied 250 t of grade 2304 duplex steel for the RioZim steel tank fabrication project being undertaken by Betterect

Expedited change in stainless steel industry expected

By: Tracy Hancock 29th May 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic will have long-term ramifications, including permanent change in the South African stainless steel industry, Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) acting executive director Michel Basson tells Engineering News. “The stainless steel industry could... →

ADDED STRESS The national lockdown has compounded the challenges faced by the already stressed stainless steel industry

Company invests in geared motors, employee training

By: Simone Liedtke 29th May 2020 A range of geared motors from Brazilian motor and controls manufacturer WEG will be available from the third quarter of 2020 to clients in South Africa and the rest of Africa from subsidiary Zest WEG. Dubbed the WG20 range, the geared motors – with benefits such as efficiency and reliability –... →

INTERCHANGEABLE SETTINGS WEG K geared units can also be equipped with a hollow shaft, output shaft, shrink disc, torque arm and mounting flange

Lockdown further strains stainless steel recycling

By: Tracy Hancock 29th May 2020 Prior to the national lockdown, South Africa’s stainless steel recycling industry was under strain, facing a dramatic drop in available recycling material and increasing input costs, says Johannesburg-based stainless steel recycler Cronimet director Bernard Maguire. The stainless steel recycling... →

SIGNIFICANCE OF SCRAP The cost of recycled stainless steel is much less than that of virgin primary alloys

Entries for Sasol Business Accelerator programme now open

By: Donna Slater 28th May 2020 Petrochemicals and chemicals manufacturer Sasol reports that it has opened entries for small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in the manufacturing, engineering services and recyclables sectors to join its Sasol Business Accelerator (SBA) programme. Interested companies must be based in... →

AMSA welcomes move to Level 3 in nationwide lockdown

By: Simone Liedtke 25th May 2020 Steel company ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has welcomed the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the country will be moving to Level 3 in the risk-adjusted approach to the easing of the nationwide lockdown. At Level 3, AMSA will be able to operate with 100% of its workforce, but... →

Global steel production down 13% y/y

By: Donna Slater 22nd May 2020 World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) decreased by 13% year-on-year to 137.1-million tonnes in April. Africa's output decreased by 55.7% year-on-year to 603 000 t, with South Africa's output having decreased by 99.5%. →

Pandemic, economic challenges to shape industry direction

By: Mamaili Mamaila 22nd May 2020 Industry trends are likely to take a new direction because of the global Covid-19 pandemic and a severely constrained local economy, says steel and value-added steel products merchandiser and distributor Macsteel. →

MIKE BENFIELD The construction and steel sectors – including the larger manufacturing industry – are “hand-in-glove”

Macsteel merges fluid control, pipes divisions

By: Marleny Arnoldi 20th May 2020 Steel and value-added steel products supplier Macsteel has merged its fluid control division with its pipes, fittings and flanges division. The vertical merger forms part of the company’s focus on increasing operating efficiency and strengthening its position in the challenging economic climate. →

Jubilee relocates chrome plant to maximise earnings

By: Simone Liedtke 19th May 2020 Aim- and AltX-listed metals processing company Jubilee Metals will relocate its fine chrome operation from the Dilokong chrome mine (DCM) to the group’s larger Inyoni or Windsor operations in South Africa. Jubilee on May 19 said the move would optimise group earnings. →

Kibo Energy inks power purchase agreement with Baobab Resources

By: Donna Slater 18th May 2020 Africa-focused Kibo Energy has signed a binding term sheet with mining company and steelmaker Baobab Resources to supply 200 MW of energy to Baobab's Tete Steel and Vanadium (TSV) project, in Mozambique.    Recognised as a key development project in Mozambique, the TSV project is about 36 km from... →

New isolation gasket offers improved leakage rates

15th May 2020 Early this year, engineering components provider BMG launched its Evolution fully-coated isolation gaskets which was designed to meet the demand for sealing and isolation products in the oil and gas sector. BMG’s Evolution isolation gaskets have been developed by fluid sealing products... →

EVER EVOLVING BMG has launchd its Evolution fully-coated isolation gaskets which offer improved leakage rates and safe and reliable performance in high-pressure applications

Steady increase in gasket sealant sales

By: Halima Frost 15th May 2020 Since the launch of adhesive manufacturer Loctite’s 518 gasket sealant pen in South Africa last year, local distributors have shown a steady increase in sales. The Loctite 518 gasket sealant pen was developed to complement the previously launched Loctite 518 flange sealant. →

PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD The Loctite 518 gasket sealant pen combines the leak-fighting properties of 518 flange sealant with a roll-on applicator

Leading seal brand rebranding

15th May 2020 Bearing and rotation specialists SKF has introduced a new packaging design for its vehicle aftermarket products, more so its sealing solutions provider Chicago Rawhide seals. Inspired by Chicago Rawhide’s 140th anniversary in 2018, SKF decided to relaunch the Chicago Rawhide seals brand as a pure... →

NOWHERE TO HIDE The new branding on Chicago Rawhide seals stays true to SKF's traditional blue colour for bearings and green colour for seals

Valves maintenance still a challenge

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th May 2020 Although demand for valves has increased over the past five years, maintenance costs, efficiency and valve service life are some of the challenges that companies face yearly, says coating technology specialist Thermaspray’s laser cladding manager Jordaan Lourens. →

IRREPLACEABLE SOLUTIONS The initial coating of new valves as well as their efficient repair results in fewer valve replacements

Fitch Solutions expects most metal markets to move into a surplus this year

By: Simone Liedtke 13th May 2020 Most metals markets are expected to move into a surplus this year, says research firm Fitch Solutions, noting that consumption is likely to decrease more than the decreases in production capacity, as a result of the spread of Covid-19. Although some operational hurdles, owing to government... →

Packaging industry likely to face dramatic changes, says MetPac-SA

By: Marleny Arnoldi 11th May 2020 Industry organisation MetPac-South Africa (MetPac-SA) says the five-week national Level 5 lockdown in South Africa had constrained the usual material recovery processes and will impact on the recovery rates of metal packaging, and post-consumer packaging material in general, for the rest of the... →

Kogi appoints Nigerian contractor to start trial iron-ore mining

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th May 2020 ASX-listed Kogi Iron and its Nigerian subsidiary KCM Mining have started small-scale trial mining at the Agbaja Cast Steel project, in Nigeria. The companies have appointed a local Lokoja-based civil engineering contractor to start the trial mining on a 30 m by 30 m by 5 m deep pit, owing to... →

Seifsa postpones awards ceremony, extends submission deadline

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 6th May 2020 Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, national federation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has moved its sixth Annual Excellence Awards ceremony from May 28 to July 23. The postponement of the ceremony has also resulted in Seifsa extending the deadline for the... →

3D printed glove remover improves hygiene in hospitals

By: Simone Liedtke 6th May 2020 Zurich-based creative agency Atoll has developed a nonprofit three-dimensional (3D) printed glove remover to assist with improving hygiene practices in hospitals. The glove remover comprises a piece of curved plastic that is placed over a waste bin and, thanks to a modular fastening system, it... →

Steel production likely to stagnate or decline this year, says Roskill

By: Simone Liedtke 5th May 2020 Steel production in developed economies is likely to either stagnate, or decline completely, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to influence and impact on the global economy, consultancy Roskill steel alloys principal consultant Erik Sardain said on May 5. Speaking in a webinar, he explained... →

Roskill steel alloys principal consultant Erik Sardain discusses the impact of Covid-19 on the global steel industry. Video: Creamer Media's Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media's Nicholas Boyd.

Hudaco lists on A2X

By: Marleny Arnoldi 28th April 2020 JSE-listed engineering consumables supplier Hudaco has been approved for a secondary listing on A2X Markets and will start trading on May 5. A2X CEO Kevin Brady says Hudaco is a company with a remarkable 125-year history. “Such longevity is not easily achieved and its listing on A2X is... →

Even essential industries have suffered reduced demand

By: Marleny Arnoldi 24th April 2020 Leading up to the phased reopening of the economy that South Africa will undertake from May 1, research institute Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (Tips) says data on the overall economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet available, but the economy will undoubtedly suffer owing to... →

Mobile sewage cleaning unit available locally

By: Halima Frost 24th April 2020 Local high-pressure pump supplier Werner South Africa Pumps & Equipment has joined forces with sewer cleaning equipment manufacturer Baroclean to supply South Africa’s first rapid response vehicle for sewage cleaning operations. Werner has imported a high-pressure jetting and vacuum pump unit... →

HOT WHEELS The bakkie mounted high-pressure jetting and vacuum pump unit is a compact solution to hard to reach sewage projects

Steel downturn evident in global production figures for March

By: Marleny Arnoldi 23rd April 2020 World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) decreased by 6% year-on-year to 147-million tonnes in March. The association says the global steel industry is being impacted on by factory shutdowns, disrupted supply chains, collapsing... →

EU reviewing steel imports in view of possible glut - trade chief

By: Reuters 22nd April 2020 The coronavirus crisis could lead to massive stockpiling of steel that could then flood the European Union when demand returns, the EU trade chief said on Tuesday, adding this was something the bloc would seek to guard against. The EU put in place safeguards in 2018 to control incoming steel to... →

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