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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... →

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

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

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.... →

Treasury invites comment on Itac metal export tax rates recommendations

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd August 2020 The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (Sars) have published, for public comment, the various draft taxation documents, including the proposed introduction of an export tax on scrap metals. This follows after Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel issued a... →

Steely resolve, innovation continue despite lockdown

By: Darren Parker 31st July 2020 Although production came to a halt over the past two months, light-steel-frame building materials supplier Etex South Africa – formerly known as Marley Building Systems – continued planning and innovating throughout the Covid-19 lockdown so that it would be well positioned to take advantage of... →

MULTIPLE USES Light-steel-frame buildings can be repurposed, modified or moved to a new location with relative ease

Specialised steel extends life of ore wagons

By: Halima Frost 31st July 2020 Stainless steel manufacturer Columbus Stainless advocates that the much longer life span of ore wagons achieved using 3CR12, makes it clear why stainless steel is the cost-effective choice for equipment in ore-handling processes. “Owing to its excellent properties in wet sliding conditions, the... →

UP ORE DOWN Wagons manufactured by Columbus Stainless using 3CR12 transport ore for substantially longer with less degradation than those made of mild steel or other materials

Manufacturer obtains welding certification

By: Halima Frost 31st July 2020 Rolling stock manufacturer Transmashholdings (TMH) Africa, which acts as the centre of excellence for narrow-gauge rolling stock within the TMH Group, announced in March that it had been awarded the ISO 3834 welding certification. The certification was awarded to the company by the Southern... →

ACCREDITED FUSION Transmashholdings Africa have been awarded an International Standards Organisation 3843 welding certification which will help draw in new clients for the company

Workshop conversion back on track

By: Halima Frost 31st July 2020 Although the conversion of railroad equipment supplier Gibela Rail Transport Consortium’s training centre into a traction motor manufacturing workshop has been delayed because of Covid-19, the project is again on track for completion by the end of the year. The company says that the electrical... →

KEEP MOTORING Although setbacks have been faced Gibela is back on track to start manufacturing its traction motors by year end

Efficient wagon handling lowers operational costs

31st July 2020 The safe and efficient offloading of materials from both rail wagons and road trucks improves efficiencies, lowers operating costs and protects product integrity during bulk handling, says materials handling company Specialised Container Agencies (SCA). “SCA focuses on the design of containerised... →

ON TRACK TIPPER The use of containerised bulk materials handling solutions ensures safe and efficient offloading in road and rail hauling

AMSA seeks import protection on hot-rolled coil and heavy beams

By: Terence Creamer 30th July 2020 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has submitted two separate applications to the International Trade and Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) requesting import protection on hot-rolled coil (HRC) and heavy structural beams respectively. The HRC application seeks to... →

Agbaja trial mining progresses, albeit slowly

By: Marleny Arnoldi 30th July 2020 ASX-listed Kogi Iron says it has continued with reduced activities in Nigeria throughout June and July, owing to limited interstate and international travel. Trial iron-ore mining at the company’s Agbaja project is also only progressing slowly owing to heavy rains and travel restrictions. →

AMSA implements large-scale, but ‘flexible’, labour reorganisation as Covid-19 bites

By: Terence Creamer 30th July 2020 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), which reported a loss of R2.6-billion for the interim period to June 30, warned on Thursday that it expected steel demand to remain subdued for the foreseeable future and indicated that it was pushing ahead with a large-scale labour... →

ArcelorMittal South Africa CEO Kobus Verster presenting a slide on market conditions in South Africa during the group's interim results presentation. Video by: Nicholas Boyd & Kutlwano Matala.

Seifsa warns of impact of higher electricity tariffs on metals, engineering sector

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 29th July 2020 Industry organisation, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) says it is “disappointed” about the recent court judgment against the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). The judgment stated that Nersa had acted unfairly in the Multi-Year Price... →

SA’s ferrochrome retreat points to steady erosion of competitiveness

By: Nadine James 17th July 2020 The local chromium industry is ostensibly being cut out of global ferrochrome production, owing to its eroding competitiveness and the comparatively ‘low-hanging fruit’ of supplying chromite. While it is seemingly economically expedient at present, the continued decline in local ferrochrome... →

Company presents new SmartBalancer ECO

17th July 2020 Unbalances on rotors are the cause of at least half of all faults on machines and systems. With the new SmartBalancer ECO from testing solutions provider Schenck RoTec, service and maintenance technicians can identify these unbalances easily and directly at the location where they occur. The... →

FIXING FAULTS With the SmartBalancer from Schenck RoTec, service technicians and maintainers easily identify unbalances which cause faults on machines at the location they occur

Centre’s expertise can improve asset testing

By: Cameron Mackay 17th July 2020 The Centre for Asset Integrity Management (C-AIM Consult), a business unit of research organisation Enterprises University of Pretoria (UP), can serve the local industry with key capabilities through its expertise in vibration-based condition monitoring and structural health monitoring. “These... →

SPECIALIST TESTING CAPABILITIES C-AIM provides engineering consulting services to assist industry in optimally managing the structural integrity of physical assets over their life cycles

AMSA warns of increased interim loss

By: Creamer Media Reporter 16th July 2020 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) expects its headline loss for the six months ended June 30 to increase by at least R2-billion. It said in a trading update on July 16 that its loss for the period would increase by at least R1.7-billion. →

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