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Stainless Steel News

Global crude steel output decreases by 0.9% in 2020

26th February 2021 Global crude steel production reached 1 864-million tonnes (Mt) for the year 2020, which is down by 0.9% compared with 2019, steel industry association the World Steel Association stated in a press release last month. →

Association hopeful despite challenging environment

By: Mamaili Mamaila 26th February 2021 The stainless steel sector, similar to the rest of the local economy, was under pressure before the onset of Covid-19, says the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda). →

REPRIORITISATION The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association’s members had to reconsider aspects, such as staff deployment, the use of facilities and cost structures

Manufacturing recovery’s slow pace a concern, Seifsa

26th February 2021 The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) is concerned about the slow pace of recovery in the manufacturing sector, as depicted by the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) number of 50.9 last month – lower than the 2020 fourth quarter average. →

MULTIPLIER EFFECT The manufacturing sector remains key to the growth and development of South Africa owing to its multiplier effect on other sectors of the economy

Safe and reliable steel production even more crucial

26th February 2021 High temperatures, molten metals and heavy loads are some of the challenges faced during steel production, says industrial instrumentation and automation multinational Endress+Hauser. →

ZOOMING INTO SAFETY Over the years, the importance of safety has grown substantially, whereby laws and regulations governing the smelter and metals sector have become stricter

Companies committed to transformation honoured

26th February 2021 Entries are open for the seventh annual Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) Awards for Excellence and the federation is calling on all companies within the metals and engineering (M&E) industry to send in their submissions for the Most Transformed Company of... →

TRANSFORMATION GOALS The Most Transformed Company of the Year Award honours and celebrates companies that have been able to transform their workplaces meaningfully

Chrome market could change with new export tax regime, dissuading Chinese offtake

By: Donna Slater 20th January 2021 A “delicate” balancing act between chrome ore mining and stainless steel production may be under threat as South Africa changes its export tax regime to boost the commodity’s “welfare benefits” and to favour local chrome buyers instead of foreign buyers, Simon le Roux, a student at Rhodes... →

Seifsa calls for moratorium on power hikes as Eskom makes case for cost-reflectivity

By: Terence Creamer 7th December 2020 Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) used the platform created by ongoing National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) hearings to call for a moratorium on additional electricity tariff hikes, arguing that further increases would undermine the country’s... →

New forming line increases global supply capabilities

4th December 2020 Last month, automotive technology and engineering company Benteler International announced it would be investing in a new forming line for processing of airbag tubes at its Schloss Neuhaus plant, in Germany. The company has expanded its value-added depth in airbag and seat belt pretensioner tubes... →

PIPELINE A new forming line for processing of airbag tubes is being invested in by Benteler International

Company holds premium reputation in valves industry

6th November 2020 Stainless steel and special alloy valves supplier Energy Valves, a division of single-source supplier of corrosion resistant and other specialist alloys EMVAfrica, holds a solid reputation as a leading supplier of premium quality valve solutions. “Several differentiating factors have earned us... →

LARGE HOLDING ENERGYValves boasts a vast stock-holding of its flagship range of competitively priced ball valves which can be considered as commodity products

Digitalised process takes pipe welding to next level

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 6th November 2020 Japanese steel manufacturer JFE Steel Corporation has produced the first pipe at its Fukuyama Works in Japan after the successful revamp of its submerged arc welding stands by metallurgical plant supplier SMS group. The revamp included five-wire submerged arc welding heads, digital inverter... →

BETTER AND BETTER The current revamp project focused primarily on enhancing the repeatability and furthering the development of the welding parameters

Company engages govt for greater awareness of local industry

23rd October 2020 Stainless steel producer Wire Products Stainless Steel Productions (WPSSP) is engaging government to create greater awareness about the local supply of stainless steel long products and wire. The Germiston-based company has met with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Public... →

LOOK LOCAL WPSSP is calling on government to become more involved in the sector, facilitating deals directly with State-owned enterprises to allow for South African producers

Hybrid future in sight

23rd October 2020 Global engineering company Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) predicts a hybrid bioprocessing future, where tried and trusted stainless-steel systems are seamlessly integrated with single-use technology. This flexible approach will enable contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) and... →

TECHNOLOGY SHAKE UP Stainless steel is not dead nor dying, but the emergence of new technology continues to shake up the biopharmaceutical industry

Key issues in welding stainless steels

23rd October 2020 Most stainless steels have good weldability if some key issues are understood and addressed, correct procedures are followed and expert advice is obtained if the organisation is inexperienced, says gases and welding products supplier Afrox manufacturing industries team applications development... →

South African Cabinet approves export tax on chrome ore

By: Reuters 22nd October 2020 South Africa, the world's biggest chrome producer, has approved measures to support the domestic ferrochrome industry including through an export tax on chrome ore, according to a Cabinet statement on Thursday. "The interventions include the proposed introduction of the export tax on chrome... →

Easy-to-assemble water storage tanks launched

By: Halima Frost 16th October 2020 Steel products and related services company Structa Group recently launched the marketing drive for its new Circotank brand, which offers a range of rolled sectional steel tanks. Circotank is manufactured from galvanised steel sheet, cold rolled, with a stiffening profile. →

TANK TOP The Maxi range of tanks offers water storage capacity of up to 1.5Mℓ

United Heavy Industries upgrades KZN steel mill, plans larger steel investment

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2020 Diversified industrial firm United Heavy Industries has announced a R350-million investment in its recently acquired steel mill at Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal, which will more than double the plant’s production capacity. United Heavy Industries director Kanishka Dhar tells Engineering News that... →

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... →

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... →

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

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). →

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... →

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. →

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

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

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... →

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,... →

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

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... →

IZA publishes ‘Essentials of Galvanizing’ booklet

By: Simone Liedtke 16th July 2020 The International Zinc Association (IZA) has published its newest guide on the ‘Essentials of Galvanizing’, the primary purpose of which is to be a key reference for engineers and designers globally. Speaking during the booklet’s virtual launch on July 15, IZA’s Simon Norton explained that the... →

PSV business rescue plan presentation delayed

By: Simone Liedtke 8th July 2020 The business rescue practitioners handling industrial holding company PSV Holdings’ business rescue process have extended the date for presentation of the business rescue plan to July 13. More than 50% of PSV’s creditors had agreed to the extention. →

New approach adopted in uncertain steel market

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2020 Steel merchant Macsteel has been re-evaluating its business strategy, owing to a steady decline in steel consumption over the past five years, with 2019 being a “new low” and the start of 2020 faring just as poorly – a situation that has been exacerbated by the lockdown because of Covid-19.... →

BUILDING THE RIGHT WAY Macsteel aims to build its market share through strong, well-established and sustainable relationships with customers

Automation reduces costs, increases productivity

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2020 With companies that invest in technology and automation showing signs of being more adaptable and strategically well positioned to take advantage of an inevitable upswing in the economy, local manufacturer and supplier of cutting and welding equipment consumables as well as distributor of steel... →

ANDREW POOLE Companies which take the risk and invest are more agile, more productive and better positioned to diversify and access new markets

New booster for industry

By: Darren Parker 3rd July 2020 Nitrogen generation equipment manufacturer and supplier NitraLife has introduced a booster for its NitraCut nitrogen generator product, which ‘bolts’ onto the company’s NitraCut nitrogen generator, to increase its nitrogen delivery pressure and therefore also increase the thickness of steel it... →

NitraLife MD Tom Sowry discusses the new NitraCut booster. Camerawork: Nicholas Boyd. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 11.06.2020

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