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Quality Assurance News

Lubricants manufacturer opens analytical centre

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th February 2018 Leading automotive and industrial products manufacturer G.U.D Holdings’ subsidiary, Indy Oil, has opened its analytical centre at its blending plant in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. →

IBM open-source food-safety blockchain system launched

By: Schalk Burger 2nd February 2018 Computing multinational IBM in December launched an open-source, blockchain system designed to provide transparency on food safety in China. The Blockchain Food Safety Alliance has as its initial signatories US mass retailer Walmart, Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com, as well as IBM and the Tsinghua... →

Efficient boiler inspection saves downtime at power station

By: Robyn Wilkinson 26th January 2018 Inspection and certification services provider TÜV SÜD South Africa’s successful completion of an outage inspection project at State-owned power utility Eskom’s Medupi Unit 5 has ensured that the power station’s boiler meets the highest standards in terms of quality and safety. →

ENSURING GOOD FUNCTION The detection of wear and damages plays a key role in preventing costly equipment failures

Industry demand sets high targets for company

By: Simone Liedtke 19th January 2018 Activated carbon manufacturer Rotocarb aims to become the biggest activated carbon producer in Africa by 2019, owing to increasing demand and dependence on activated carbon in the wastewater treatment, purification and desalination industry. →

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN The company’s water-intensive processing and wastewater treatment operations use local raw materials, technology and deployment

Mindset change required to mitigate water crisis effects

By: Simone Liedtke 19th January 2018 Owing to water currently being a critical global commodity, engineering company Royal HaskoningDHV business development manager Sander Zweers says a societal mindset change regarding the importance of water, as well as its treatment, purification and desalination, is needed. →

SANDER ZWEERS The global water crisis is considered not only an environmental risk but also a social risk

Plant to be completed in March

By: Simone Liedtke 19th January 2018 Integrated solutions provider ImproChem will be completing the construction and commissioning of a desalination plant for a large factory on the West Coast, in South Africa, with the plant expected to supply its first water in the second week of March 2018. →

REVERSE OSMOSIS Sea water will be pumped through a Suez Reverse Osmosis plant where the salt and mineral particles will be separated

Recycling wastewater ensures plant efficiency

By: Simone Liedtke 19th January 2018 The recycling of wastewater on site by high water users in South Africa provides a cost-effective solution in managing water resources, says biological wastewater treatment solutions provider SewTreat business development manager Theunis Coetzer. →

SIYABONGA FACILITY The facility will treat and reuse 3 650 000 ℓ/y of water (based on a treatment rate of 10 000 ℓ/d)

Maintenance, construction projects along N1/N4 slated for 2018

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) and private concessionaire the Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire will conduct several maintenance and construction projects along the South African N1/N4 toll road, in Gauteng and Limpopo, in 2018. →

Photo by Duane Daws
INCREASING CAPACITY Bakwena has installed two pivots, each valued at about R2.4-million, at both the Doornpoort and Pumulani toll plazas

Assistance in overcoming bridge challenges

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 Industrial rope access specialist Skyriders Access Specialists installed temporary access platforms to allow for critical routine maintenance on the Crocodile river bridge, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. →

ABSEILING FOR ACCESS Technicians had to deploy rope access to abseil from a structure to erect the access platforms

Mobile lab for polymer powders launched

By: Donna Slater 15th December 2017 Munich-based chemical company Wacker launched a mobile containerised laboratory – MyLab – together with their long-term distributor IMCD in Randburg at the end of November. →

MYLAB LAUNCH Wacker’s MyLab officially opened at its new South African home at IMCD

Balancing rules, safety and certification will be key to drone industry success

By: Donna Slater 15th December 2017 The regulations and laws governing access to South African air space for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) are sound and among the “best in the world”, according to Edenvale-based commercial drone operator Visual Air Productions director Stephen Verheul. →

New standards change filtration requirements

By: Victor Moolman 1st December 2017 With filters being exposed to a much broader range of particle sizes, which requires higher levels of filtration maintenance, filter technology manufacturer Freudenberg Filtration Technologies (FFT) says attention should be drawn to the new ISO 16890 standard for filter testing and assessment.... →

IDEAL OPPORTUNITY During the holiday season the closing of some workshops, factories and mines presents a good opportunity for system maintenance

Engineer to unveil new industry technology

1st December 2017 High-pressure equipment and technology manufacturer Haskel has revealed that its product engineer Poova Mahmoudian will be unveiling new industry technology, as part of a collaborative technology and research alliance with the US Army. The technology is said to dramatically impact those... →

NEW TECHNOLOGY Haskel engineers will explain solutions to mitigate hydrogen embrittlement in pressure vessels at the annual Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Energy Summit in 2018

Heat exchangers made compact

1st December 2017 Wisconsin-based shell and tube heat exchangers company Enerquip has added a new line of compact heat exchangers to meet growing demands from customers with low flow-rate applications. Enerquip is one of the leading providers of heating and cooling equipment for production plants and... →

U-TUBE Heat exchangers are available in U-tube and straight tube designs, and save a significant amount of space due to their size

Green consciousness continues to drive green building trends

By: Simone Liedtke 1st December 2017 Increasing pressure on the built environment to address inadequate energy resources, carbon reduction targets and tightening building energy efficiency standards, continues to drive green building trends in South Africa, states multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP Africa sustainability... →

GREG RICE Businesses and citizens have recently become more conscious of the importance of resilience and resource scarcity

Necsa shuts down key unit because of compliance failure

By: Keith Campbell 1st December 2017 The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has executed an immediate shut down of its NTP Radiochemical Facility, because of non-compliance with licensing conditions. NTP produces radioisotopes for both industrial and an especially medical purposes, and many cancer and other patients in... →

Large companies driving increase in land contamination assessments

By: Simone Liedtke 1st December 2017 With there being an increase in land-contamination assessments among large companies owing to recently promulgated environmental legislation, sustainability services and consultancy Environmental Resources Management (ERM) partner Steve McKeown says this will hold companies accountable for the... →

STEVE MCKEOWN Companies that have a global footprint are more committed to assessing their impact on the environment

Declining industry could compromise steel industry quality standards

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 Cost-cutting measures have been forced upon companies that wish to remain in business in the steel construction and cladding sector, however, this could have a major impact on product safety and performance, with price considerations often taking precedence over quality and safety.... →

DODDS PRINGLE Clients must be aware of advertised quality standards in the steel construction industry

Outdoor gym sites increase

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 With there being an increase in steel-constructed outdoor gym equipment nationally, Johannesburg-based outdoor gym equipment manufacturer Lani Service Centre has contacted self-lubricating bearings and bushes manufacturer Vesconite to provide hard-wearing, self-lubricating bushings for the... →

SOCIAL COHESION An example of some of the hard-wearing gym equipment that has been produced by Lani Service Centre

Steel Awards 2017 confirms LSFB growth

24th November 2017 This year’s annual Steel Awards, hosted by the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction, showed excellent growth for the South African light steel frame building (LSFB) industry, with more than 25 000 m2 represented in category entries. The awards, which took place on September 13, saw 19... →

SUMMIT PLACE The Assupol Building, the 11-storey winning office block in the Summit Place development

South African nuclear body shuts down key unit because of compliance failure

By: Keith Campbell 22nd November 2017 The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has executed an immediate shut down of its NTP Radiochemical Facility, because of non-compliance with licensing conditions. NTP produces radioisotopes for both industrial and an especially medical purposes, and many cancer and other patients in... →

Photo by Duane Daws/Creamer Media
An aerial view of Necsa’s complex at Pelindaba

Third biennial food and drink exhibition to be held in 2018

By: Simone Liedtke 17th November 2017 Conceptualised as a “for Africa by Africa” event, exhibition company Messe München South Africa (SA) will host the third biennial food and drink technology Africa (fdt Africa) exhibition from September 4 to 6 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, next year. →

FDT AFRICA 2018 The aim of fdt Africa 2018 is to consolidate the existing target groups of exhibitors and visitors

Tank cleaning ensures quality batch, every time

By: Simone Liedtke 17th November 2017 Although tank cleaning is considered a ‘necessary evil’ for any producer in the wine, brewery and beverage industry, South Africa-based industrial nozzle, pump and filter supplier Spray Nozzle says tank cleaning is required between batches to ensure that a reliable, uncontaminated, high-quality... →

SPECIALIST PRODUCT The HydroClaw nozzle is a specialist nozzle which is best suited for the cleaning of tanks with high solids content

Value-for-money centrifugal pumps to change process

17th November 2017 The food and beverage industry is continuously looking for solutions to increase production efficiency with extremely high system pressure applications becoming more common, especially in typical reverse osmosis applications for whey, wine and beer filtration. →

UPCOMING AVAILABILITY Higher flow rates are expected to be available very soon

Monitoring system streamlines maintenance activities

By: Robyn Wilkinson 17th November 2017 Global test equipment manufacturer Fluke is enjoying significant market success following the launch of Fluke Connect ™, which combines high-quality test tools and digital technology to help small, medium-sized and large industrial companies streamline critical maintenance operations. →

INSTANT INFORMATION Measurements obtained from Fluke Connect enabled tools can be viewed simultaneously at the inspection site and from an off-site location

Maintenance and upgrades on cards for Platinum Corridor in 2018

By: Simone Liedtke 10th November 2017 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) private concessionaire Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire (Bakwena) will conduct several maintenance and construction projects along the South African N1/N4 routes in 2018. →

Photo by Duane Daws
LIAM CLARKE Construction of a second carriageway on the N4 between the M17 and the R512 will start in January 2018

New council announced by architectural body

By: Donna Slater 10th November 2017 The South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession (Saclap) recently annouced its new four-year council, as appointed by Department of Public Works Minister Nathi Nhleko. Council members will serve a four year term of office from September 1, 2017, to August 31, 2021. →

Organisation assists business in becoming energy efficient

By: Nica Schreuder 10th November 2017 Lack of energy supply security, economic costs associated with energy, and environmental costs, such as depleting resources, contributing to climate change are just some of the factors that can be mitigated if South Africa embraces energy efficiency and reliable renewable energy alternatives,... →

MONITORED CONSUMPTION NCPC-SA is trying to find ways to optimise South Africa’s energy consumption

Upcoming energy event to showcase African project opportunities

By: Simone Liedtke 10th November 2017 A key focus point of the African Energy Indaba (AEI) – which celebrates its ten-year milestone next year – is to provide access to project opportunities across the African continent. →

Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) MD Liz Hart, AEI chairperson Brian Statham and South African Electrotechnical Export Council CEO Chiboni Evans discuss the AEI next year. Camera: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Lionel da Silva.

Continued volatility impacts on energy and chemicals company

27th October 2017 Continued volatility in the macroeconomic environment, particularly the stronger rand and low oil price, has adversely impacted energy and chemicals company Sasol’s financial performance, says Sasol CFO Paul Victor. →

Photo by Bloomberg
RECORD PRODUCTION Sasol showed great resilience and character through delivering record production volumes at Secunda Synfuels

Supplier prepares for maintenance shutdown

By: Marleny Arnoldi 27th October 2017 Specialist valve, overpressure, combustion, pipeline, and product storage equipment supplier Heaton Valves Africa (HVA) is gearing up for petrochemicals giant Sasol’s major plant maintenance shutdown, planned for September next year in Secunda, Mpumalanga, which will also affect Sasol’s Sasolburg... →

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Sasol’s Secunda plant shutdown every eight years gives many suppliers the opportunity to do maintenance and replacements

Partnership seeks to provide best-practice health and safety training

By: Schalk Burger 27th October 2017 Inspection, testing, verification and certification multinational SGS and State-owned power utility Eskom have partnered to train 24 local youths at Eskom’s Grootvlei power station in the Dipaleseng municipality, in Mpumalanga, south of Heidelberg, in 12 subjects related to safety, health and... →

Positive prospects for synfuels sector with focus on efficient maintenance

By: Simone Liedtke 27th October 2017 Welding and construction equipment-related supplier Renttech South Africa (SA) sees prospects for the synfuels industry improving, as the recent depressed period - owing to the decline globally in hydrocarbon fuel prices - has seen the petrochemicals industry focusing on efficient maintenance,... →

TO GROW AND PROSPER The country needs to have an efficient, cost-competitive local petrochemicals industry

Property developer launches SA’s first dual-certified property portfolio

By: Mia Breytenbach 20th October 2017 Real estate investment trust (Reit) Growthpoint Properties has launched the first and only property portfolio in South Africa to be highly rated by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). The Thrive Portfolio combines quality and... →

WRAPPING UP Growthpoint Properties is nearing completion on the 112 000 m2 office development for Discovery, in Sandton

Local gas company trials diesel dual-fuel kits on long-haul trucks

By: Mia Breytenbach 20th October 2017 As fleet operators increasingly aim to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce costs, natural gas company Tetra4, a subsidiary of JSE-listed energy company Renergen, has started trialling diesel dual-fuel (DDF) kits on two European brands of trucks to establish the advantages of natural gas as a fuel... →

SAVINGS PURSUIT Indicative results can play a role in the development of an alternative cost-saving methodology for fleet owners and in pursuing and encouraging fleet optimisation

Carlyle snaps up Nosa to access occupational health, safety growth in emerging markets

By: Schalk Burger 13th October 2017 Nasdaq-listed asset management multinational Carlyle Group will acquire emerging markets-focused occupational health and safety training company Nosa Group from JSE-listed Micromega Holdings for up to R747.8-million. The occupational health and safety sector is particularly attractive across... →

Groundwater a viable water saving initiative

13th October 2017 South African consulting and engineering firm JG Afrika is working hard to change the mind-set around using South Africa’s groundwater to mitigate water scarcity, despite project failures in the past. JG Afrika technical director Mark Schapers and JG Afrika executive associate Regan Rose agree... →

MARK SCHAPERS JG Afrika’s systematic approach is transferred to all activities involved in completing groundwater projects

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