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Stainless Steel News

Solidarity, AMSA agree on 7% wage increase

By: Leandi Kolver 11th June 2014 Trade union Solidarity on Wednesday announced that it had reached a wage agreement with steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), comprising a 7% wage increase and other favourable changes to workers’ terms of employment. The agreement, which was retroactive to April 1, 2014, and would be... →

South African ferrochrome capacity shows consistency

By: Jonathan Rodin 30th May 2014 South Africa’s ferrochrome industry used 85% of its capacity in the first quarter, more or less in line with the fourth quarter of 2013, says consultancy service provider Core Consultants MD Lara Smith. The company estimates that the first quarter realised 760 000 t in ferrochrome, slightly... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ABOVE AVERAGE South Africa’s ferrochrome industry used 85% of its capacity

Global stainless steel sector to grow

By: Jonathan Rodin 30th May 2014 Consultancy group MEPS has, with cautious optimism, forecast stainless steel production growth in 2014 will be better than 2013 for all traditional steelmaking countries and regions, including the EU, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. According to the consultancy, this will be the first time since... →

Local export barriers towards Europe could continue

By: Jonathan Rodin 30th May 2014 The recently introduced export barriers for stainless steel scrap in South Africa indicate that the trend could continue towards more protectionism in scrap markets, says Germany-based Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW). Already, since 2002, an increase in export restrictions was... →

Growth in world steel demand ‘good news’ for SA – Seifsa

By: Leandi Kolver 29th May 2014 The growth in global steel demand, as stated by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) in its World Steel in Figures 2014 report, was “good news” for South Africa, Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) chief economist Henk Langenhoven said on Thursday.... →

AMSA lobbies Treasury for ‘special' carbon tax arrangement

By: Natalie Greve 28th May 2014 South African steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) is currently lobbying National Treasury around the country’s proposed carbon tax, appealing that large-scale industrial steel manufacturers be exempt from the proposed carbon tax and rather be beholden to a separate, “special”... →

2013 world steel demand up 3.6%, production at record levels

By: Leandi Kolver 28th May 2014 Despite challenging industry conditions, world steel demand grew by 3.6% during 2013, the World Steel Association (worldsteel) said on Wednesday. In its World Steel in Figures 2014 report the association also noted that world crude steel production totalled 1.6-billion tonnes for the year, up... →

Creamer Media publishes Steel 2014 research report

20th May 2014 Creamer Media’s Steel 2014 report provides an overview of the global steel industry and particularly of South Africa’s steel sector over the past year, including details of production and consumption, as well as the country's primary carbon steel and stainless steel producers. →

Indian mining, steel heavyweight opens up shop in SA

By: Natalie Greve 25th April 2014 Multinational Indian mining, steel and power conglomerate Jindal Steel & Power has officially launched its new Jindal Africa head office, in Johannesburg, marking the company’s fifth year of activity in South Africa and creating a springboard for its penetration into other Southern African... →

Jindal Steel & Power MD and CEO Ravi Uppal launches Jindal Africa, in Johannesburg

SA’s March steel output climbed well ahead of global norm

By: Natalie Greve 22nd April 2014 South Africa increased crude steel production by 21.1% year-on-year in March, producing 615 000 t of the metal and outperforming the global production pace, which increased by 2.7% year-on-year to 141-million tons for the third month of 2014. World Steel Association (worldsteel) reported on... →

Evraz appoints Valenta as CEO

By: Natasha Odendaal 16th April 2014 Steel and vanadium producer Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium on Wednesday appointed executive director and FD Jan Valenta CEO, with immediate effect, after Michael Garcia stepped down. Olga Luzik would replace Valenta, who was appointed FD and director in 2011. →

Photo by Duane Daws
Michael Garcia

Ghana bans export of scrap ferrous metal to support local industry

By: Reuters 15th April 2014 Ghana has banned the export of ferrous scrap metal immediately in a bid to make more raw material available to sustain the West Africa country's steel industry, Trade Minister Haruna Iddrisu said on Tuesday. Iddrisu said the government was also drafting legislation to establish an international... →

SA outperforms global steel output in Feb

By: Natalie Greve 20th March 2014 Global crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to worldsteel remained relatively flat in February, increasing by a marginal 0.6% year-on-year to 125-million tonnes. South Africa, however, increased its crude steel output year-on-year by an impressive 19.3% to an estimated 555 000 t... →

Massive energy savings for Western Cape steel plant

28th February 2014 Effective energy management is showing significant cost savings at South Africa’s largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal’s Western Cape plant in Saldahna, says the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA). Energy savings were achieved at the Saldanha plant with the help of... →

South African steel industry needs protection policies

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th February 2014 Owing to the discovery of and exploration for shale gas in the US and Canada, as well as gas finds off Mozambique and Asia, the global steel industry is set to undergo a radical makeover, but South Africa may not immediately benefit from the lower gas prices, states advisory company Deloitte... →

Photo by Bloomberg
POLAND SHALE GAS The discovery of and exploration for shale gas and gas finds across the world can reduce gas prices which will benefit steel producing companies that use gas to manufacture steel

Steel distributor confident of overcoming steel industry challenges

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th February 2014 Steel distributor BSi Steel reports that it has fulfilled its aim of reaching growth of 28% in 2013. “Although South Africa’s steel consumption declined by at least 6% in the domestic steel market, BSi Steel has been on a sustained growth drive, which has resulted in a material increase in... →

FUTURE CONFIDENCE BSI Steel is optimistic in its ability to adapt and overcome the challenges currently facing the steel industry

Steel distributor to introduce new products

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th February 2014 Steel distribution and processing company Duferco Distribution Services’ steel sales have increased by about 300% since January last year, as more industries, such as mining, transport, recycling and cement, are expressing interest and buying its Quard and Quend steel, S355 and pressure vessel... →

STEEL INCREASE Duferco Distribution Services will introduce new quench and tempered steel materials in a width of 3 m onto the South African market this year

Engineering components distributor installs new, low-maintenance cable carrier system

28th February 2014 Engineering components distributor Bearing Man Group (BMG) has recently completed the installation of a new steel cable carrier system, of undisclosed value, at a straightening mill of one of the largest steel producers in Africa. “This project in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, encompassed the removal... →

LOW MAINTENANCE The Tsubaki Kabelschlepp cable carrier system feature self-cleaning links, and advantages include high-load carrying capacity and high-impact resilience

Modest recovery forecast for South African steel industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th February 2014 International credit insurer Coface noted a 40% increase in the number of steel company liquidations in 2013. “Coface encountered 55 cases of liquidation in the local steel industry last year,” Coface industry analyst Warrick Robertson says, adding that the credit insurer observed a 56% increase... →

WARRICK ROBERTSON Although international credit insurer Coface forecasts a modest recovery for the steel industry, the company emphasizes that sub-Saharan Africa is a growing market for South African steel products

New version of marking system to mark two dimensional code

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th February 2014 The new version of the InfoDent 8400-20 pin marking system, designed for marking hot, primary metals or steel products, which was launched in mid-2013, has an improved controller, which increases the marking speed and can print machine-readable information, or two-dimensional codes, says supplier... →

MARKING SMART The new InfoDent 8400-20 pin marking machine can print on uneven surfaces and machine-readable information or two-dimensional code onto hot steel products

Crane contracts increased by 142% in 2013

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th February 2014 Lifting equipment and service company Konecranes Southern Africa (SA) is manufacturing nine overhead cranes, with an estimated value of R8-million, for the steel industry and continues its inspection and service contracts for local and multinational steel manufacturers and distributors, states... →

CRANE OPERATION The Konecranes service procedure and service manual has proven to reduce crane operating costs and thus increasing production capacity, reliability and efficiency

Capital investment programmes can boost industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 28th February 2014 Specialist foundry Steloy Castings will complete a multimillion dollar order for stanchion support assemblies, this month, which will be sent to a petrochemicals refinery in China. “The order comprised an assembly of castings, the bulk of which consists of tubes, which are used in the stanchions.... →

CASTING OPPORTUNITY Capital investment programmes, such as the Strategic Integrated Projects, will provide opportunities for the casting industry to supply cast and centrifugally cast products

Survey reveals increase in use of light steel frame building method

28th February 2014 An industry survey conducted by the Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association (SASFA) revealed an increase in the use of the light steel frame building (LSFB) method in South Africa. “Mainly, the survey showed that the mass of steel used in South Africa to profile light steel... →

Overcapacity in China's steel sector is 'beyond imagination'

By: Reuters 25th February 2014 Overcapacity in China's steel sector is so severe that it is "probably beyond our imagination", an official at the Chinese steel industry association said on Tuesday. China's iron-ore imports are expected to rise 6% from a year ago to reach 870-million tonnes in 2014, said Li Xinchuang,... →

AMSA COO appointed acting CEO as Nyembezi-Heita set to depart

By: Natalie Greve 4th February 2014 Following the December announcement that steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) CEO and executive director Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita would step down on February 18, COO Dr Hans Ludwig Rosenstock has been appointed acting CEO and executive director while the board embarks on a search... →

AMSA acting CEO Dr Hans Ludwig Rosenstock

African market seen as key to local steel industry growth

6th December 2013 To spur the local steel industry to grow by at least 5% a year over the next 10 years, the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) will increase its focus on improving relationships with its counterparts in other African countries. Recently appointed Saisc CEO Paolo Trinchero... →

Photo by Saisc
PAOLO TRINCHERO The steel construction industry is ready to benefit from the employment opportunities and growth that will come with the National Development Plan

‘Buy local’ campaign to impede steel industry job losses

22nd November 2013 The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) has launched a ‘buy local’ campaign in an attempt to impede the unnecessary loss of jobs in the steel construction industry. The campaign, which started with the erection of a billboard on the R21 Edenvale off-ramp, is supported by... →

Steel fabricators to remain competitive in Africa through turnkey solutions

22nd November 2013 South African steel fabricators will need to focus on offering a competitive, turnkey value-added solution to win market share in sub-Saharan Africa and further north on the continent, International Steel Fabricators of South Africa (ISF) director Neels van Niekerk states. “South African... →

New Saisc CEO appointed

22nd November 2013 The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) has appointed Paolo Trinchero as its new CEO. He takes over from Dr Hennie de Clercq, who has retired after being at the helm of Saisc for the last 13 years. Trinchero says he looks forward to the challenges he will face in the new... →

Company produces stainless steel wire for robotic welding systems

By: Ilan Solomons 7th November 2013 Stainless steel bar and wire producer Wire Products Stainless Steel (WPSS) can now manufacture stainless steel MIG welding wire on 15 kg wire baskets for hand-held and robotic welding systems, WPSS director Clinton Lautenberg tells Engineering News. This has enabled the company in the past two to... →

STAINLESS STEEL WIRE Wire Products Stainless Steel has been manufacturing stainless steel MIG wire locally since late 2010

Africa key to company’s expansion plans

By: Ilan Solomons 25th October 2013 Sheet-metal component manufacturer Fabrinox intends to expand its footprint in Africa by partnering with multinational companies, which are already active in Africa or aim to secure a foothold on the continent, Fabrinox MD Andre Visser tells Engineering News. “Fabrinox is continuously forming... →

PLANNING AHEAD Fabrinox is continuously forming strategic partnerships with multinational companies, which supply products to mines, as Fabrinox manufactures on behalf of these companies

Sassda launches new online learning programme

By: Ilan Solomons 25th October 2013 The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) launched an online learning programme this month, targeted at nontechnical staff, such as administrative and warehousing staff, Sassda training manager Mankabe More tells Engineering News. “This course is targeted at staff... →

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT The Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association’s basic introductory courses are run three times a year in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban

Company aims to provide stainless steel strapping for additional industries

By: Ilan Solomons 25th October 2013 In the upcoming months, sole Band-It stainless steel clamping and identification systems distributor Banding & Identification Solutions Africa (Bisa) will use traditional and social media platforms to target specific industries, such as the food processing industry, the hose market, mining... →

STAINLESS STEEL STRAPPINGThere are about 150 grades of stainless steel, but only about 12 of these grades can be used for stainless steel strapping

Four new power tools for stainless steel launched

By: Ilan Solomons 25th October 2013 In response to changing demands in the metal-working industry, technology supplier Bosch South Africa last month extended its range of products for the professional finishing of stainless steel to include four new competitively priced power tools, Bosch Industrial Power Tools senior brand manager... →

STAINLESS STEEL SPECIFIC The new additions to the Bosch product line for stainless steel finishings include the GRB 14 CE Professional pipe belt sander, the GEF 7 E Professional power file, the GSI 14 CE Professional burnisher and the GWS 15-125 Inox Professional angle grinder

Local range of cost-effective lean duplex stainless steels launched

By: Ilan Solomons 25th October 2013 Stainless steel flat products producer Columbus Stainless introduced a new range of lean duplex stainless steels in 2010, which offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional austenitic stainless steels, Columbus Stainless CEO Dave Martin tells Engineering News. He says that type UNS... →

DAVE MARTIN Columbus Stainless is also developing a 301 grade stainless steel as a cheaper alternative to 304 for use in the manufacturing of a variety of products

New fastener division to stock stainless steel range

By: Ilan Solomons 25th October 2013 Stainless steel, specialist alloys and valve supplier Energy Engineered Products (EEP) says that, since establishing the new Energy Bolts fastener division at its head office in Kyalami, Johannesburg, it has been well received by the local market. The new division will stock a range of 304 and... →

STAINLESS STEEL FASTENERS Energy Bolts’ 304 and 316 stainless steel grade range of fasteners will provide customers with full traceability and certification of the product, owing to these specific stainless steel grades

SA stainless steel industry holding steady, imports a problem – Sassda

By: Ilan Solomons 25th October 2013 The South African stainless steel industry is experiencing steady growth, but government needs to ensure that the playing field for importers and local industry players is level, Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) executive director Bill Scurr tells Engineering... →

STAINLESS STEEL Stainless steel is regarded by some an aspirational material for use in kitchens and consumer ware item

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