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Metals & Engineering News

South Africa’s iron-ore sector to benefit from rising Chinese demand

By: Simone Liedtke 7th October 2020 South Africa’s Northern Cape is considered a “fantastic mineral region” and African Rainbow Minerals ferrous division CE Andre Joubert believes iron-ore, besides other commodities, is likely to benefit following the Covid-19 pandemic. Crude steel is a major driver for iron-ore production, he... →

Rio Tinto, AB InBev sign MoU to deliver sustainable, low carbon aluminium cans

By: Simone Liedtke 6th October 2020 Beer drinkers will soon be able to enjoy their favourite brew out of cans that are both recyclable and responsibly produced as a result of a global partnership between diversified miner Rio Tinto and brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev). The two companies have signed a memorandum of... →

AMSA refutes statements claiming it has closed its order book

By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th October 2020 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMA) has refuted statements made by the National Employers Association of South Africa (Neasa) that the primary steel producer has closed its order book, but yet insists on import duties. AMSA says it is concerned about the ill-informed attacks,... →

ArcelorMittal South Africa ferrous metal foundry

Itac reveals changes to PPS to avail scrap metal for local steelmakers

By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th October 2020 The International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) has completed its initial investigation into the supply of scrap metal as an input to the domestic steel-producing industry. The commission has made certain changes to the Price Preference System (PPS), effective from October 2, to... →

Spanish solar tracking group establishes formal presence in South Africa

By: Terence Creamer 5th October 2020 Spanish solar tracker and structures specialist STI Norland has, since the start of October, established an active presence in South Africa, which it views as an attractive market for utility scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. An office and warehouse facility is being established in Port... →

The 94.3 MWp Sishen PV Plant in the Northern Cape

4IR key to advanced NDT service

By: Tracy Hancock 2nd October 2020 The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is an extremely significant focus for material testing and inspection services specialist Dekra Industrial because the collection and interpretation of data plays a vital role in forecasting, strategic growth and decision-making in organisations. While... →

GRUDGE PURCHASE Some of South African metal fabricators only undertaking non-destructive testing to ensure that they are fabrication- and design-code compliant

Safety up but costs hamper industry uptake

By: Tracy Hancock 2nd October 2020 Safety is improving in the local metal fabrication sector as more companies realise the importance of having stricter safety protocols in place, says local blades and electrodes manufacturer, and cutting consumables and capital equipment supplier First Cut machine division GM Anthony Lezar. “Some... →

TICKING THE BOX Some companies are putting only the bare minimum in place to ensure safety within their manufacturing processes

Consultant emphasises importance of careful selection of galvanised steel sheet for light metal frame structures, roofing

By: Simone Liedtke 1st October 2020 Careful selection of continuously galvanised steel sheet products can help to avoid premature corrosion of roofing and cladding on buildings, says galvanising consultant Terry Smith. Continuously galvanised sheet is produced in a hot-dip galvanising process, after which it may be further coated... →

ArcelorMittal commits to becoming carbon neutral by 2050

By: Reuters 30th September 2020 ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, committed on Wednesday to being carbon neutral by 2050, although it said a level playing field with green border adjustments and abundant, affordable clean energy would be required to get there. The company, which makes around 5% of the world's... →

AMSA brings blast furnace back on line in Vanderbijlpark

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th September 2020 Primary steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has decided to restart Blast Furnace C at its Vanderbijlpark Works operations since steel demand has progressively recovered in the last two months. This follows after the company had put the furnace on idle in July amid low demand. →

Global steel output up 0.6% y/y in August

By: Creamer Media Reporter 25th September 2020 Global steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) increased by 0.6% year-on-year to 156.2-million tonnes in August. Steel production in Africa, however, decreased by 11.2% year-on-year to 775 000 t, driven by a 24% year-on-year decrease in South... →

World Trade Fair postponed to next year

25th September 2020 Owing to the serious consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, event organiser Reed Exhibitions has announced the postponement of the Aluminium World Trade Fair to May 18 to 20, 2021. The trade fair was scheduled to take place in Düsseldorf, Germany from October 6 to 8, this year. →

Recycling tech boosted by crystallisation research

25th September 2020 An innovative method for aluminium recycling has been boosted by research showing the microscopic changes that take place when molten alloys cool. University of Birmingham School of Metallurgy and Materials researcher Dr Biao Cai used sophisticated high-speed X-ray imaging to record the... →

Press tech allows for high-quality extrusions

25th September 2020 Metallurgical industry plant and integrated systems provider SMS group recently received the final acceptance certificate from aluminum frames supplier Garner Aluminium Extrusions (Garnalex). The certification was received for the complete extrusion line supplied by SMS group and its consortium... →

GREATER ACCESSIBILITY The enclosure design is not only state-of-the-art, but also takes into account all aspects of operational safety while also ensuring better machine accessibility

Structures assist in practical training

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 Increased interest in the training of working-at-height personnel in eMalahleni, in Mpumalanga, and Rustenburg, in North West, has led to permanent scaffolding structures being erected at safety training solutions provider KBC Health and Safety’s training facilities in the two provinces. KBC... →

HIGHER GRADE Being able to do practical training at height is now possible with the structures erected at KBC's various training facilities

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... →

STIMULATING SIMULATOR The SAIW is using a welding simulator to enable students to gain hands-on experience before entering the workforce

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... →

TRAINING SPARK Southern African Institute of Welding is helping the Centre of Excellence for Engineering in Ethiopia boost its qualified welder capacity

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... →

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