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Steel

More support needed for local steel industry

By: Robyn Wilkinson 1st July 2016 While government has increased import tariffs to protect the local steel market from low-cost Chinese imports, steel products manufacturer and supplier LionSteel CFO Pierre Willemse believes that more needs to be done to support the South African steel market. →

Fibre laser technology on the rise in steel industry

By: Robyn Wilkinson 1st July 2016 Cutting solutions provider First Cut is supplying fibre laser cutting machines to South Africa, which are greatly improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of laser-cutting operations in various industries, including the steel industry, in a difficult economic climate →

BLM TUBE LASER Fibre laser technology is a cost-effective option for the steel industry

Industry top performers celebrated amid challenging times

1st July 2016 The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) announced the winners of its second Annual Awards for Excellence at a breakfast that took place before the commencement of the second day of the Southern African Metals and Engineering Indaba, which was held in Sandton in... →

HENK LANGENHOVEN Viability of the South African steel industry remains under pressure

Import prices on steel not the best solution

By: Robyn Wilkinson 1st July 2016 International trade credit insurer Coface credit analyst Kyle Mason says that government would do better to provide benefits to local entities using locally-produced steel than to further impose import and anti-dumping tariffs. →

KYLE MASON Incentives and rebates would better encourage support of local steel producers

Steel exporter adapts for changing steel landscape

By: Victor Moolman 1st July 2016 Owing to the global economic downturn, and tough and volatile trading conditions, steel distributor Building System Integration (BSi) Steel has continually adapted and modified its handling of the supply of steel products, to meet the demand in the sub-Saharan African markets. →

Import tariffs harmful to end-user businesses

By: Robyn Wilkinson 1st July 2016 Fasteners and aligned products manufacturer and supplier Impala Bolt & Nut MD Derek Cohen says attempts to protect the local steel market by introducing import tariffs have introduced additional costs for small end-user businesses that are trying to remain viable in a difficult market. →

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION Government incentives have supported development in the automotive sector, and could similarly benefit the steel sector if implemented

Modernisation of steel plants crucial in South Africa

By: Robyn Wilkinson 1st July 2016 Global metallurgical processing plant supplier SMS group’s South African MD, Pieter Bezuidenhout, says the modernisation of South African steel plants is crucial in boosting the industry’s ability to remain internationally competitive in a difficult economic environment. →

FURNACE WITH FUME EXTRACTION Modernisations such as these are crucial for steel plants to remain viable

Global metallurgical processing plant supplier SMS group South Africa MD Pieter Bezuidenhout, senior processing engineer Peter Sanders and key accounts manager Samuel Gounden discuss the company’s solutions for the modernisation of South African steel plants. Camerawork and Editing: Nicholas Boyd.

LionSteel puts the roar back into Capital Star Steel

28th June 2016 Despite its war-torn past, Mozambique has long been viewed as a country that offers great commercial potential to companies which are prepared to invest and commit to its economic and social growth. LionSteelís recent acquisition of Capital Star Steelís (CSS) steel pipe mill in Matola, Maputo,... →

Steel industry faces toughest year

By: Donna Slater 26th February 2016 As local steel demand stagnates and exports decrease, various steel industry role-players and industry analysts have predicted this year will be the toughest one for local steel manufacturers, as companies have been forced to mothball or sell plants, cut jobs and even close operations. →

SURVIVAL The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction says the local steel construction industry will survive the current challenging environment owing to years of resilience

Scrap metal issue requires inclusive industry debate

By: Donna Slater 26th February 2016 The recent concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the price preference system (PPS) policy guidelines for local scrap metal require debate and input from all role-players, such as exporters of and domestic users of scrap metal, says steel industry representative organisation the Southern... →

PRECIOUS RESOURCE
Scrap metal should be retained in South Africa and used as a national resource to decrease the price of local steel

Photo by Duane Daws
PRECIOUS RESOURCE Scrap metal should be retained in South Africa and used as a national resource to decrease the price of local steel

Overseas market proves lucrative for steel cladding

By: Donna Slater 26th February 2016 The market acceptance and demand for vitreous enamel steel cladding Vitraclad is proving more popular overseas than locally, says Boksburg-based manufacturer Vitrex. →

EASY MAINTENANCE The environmental properties of Vitraclad make for simple maintenance without having to use cleaning chemicals

Steel major punts preferential pricing for scrap metal

By: Donna Slater 26th February 2016 Steel manufacturing major Scaw Metals is supporting the proposed amendments to the price preference system (PPS) policy guidelines for local scrap metal. →

SUSTAINING PRODUCTION Scaw Metals plans to use the new price preference system for scrap metal to sustain jobs in the steel industry

Light steel frames more environment friendly

26th February 2016 Using light steel frames to construct buildings is not only faster than conventional building methods, but also contains less embodied carbon – which is the amount of energy used in the entire manufacturing chain of a particular product, says light steel frame association the Southern African... →

LIGHT STEEL FRAME The use of light steel frames in the construction industry is gaining momentum

Call for entries for Steel Awards 2016

26th February 2016 Steel construction industry representative organisation the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) is calling for entries for its Steel Awards 2016, which will take place simultaneously in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town on September 15. →

2015 WINNER The Overall Winner at Steel Awards 2015 was the MeerKAT project of the Square Kilometre Array Africa Radio Antenna Positioner

Power transmission infrastructure projects key to sustainability of local fabricators

By: Donna Slater 26th February 2016 Orders for fabricated steel structures for power-line transmission infrastructure have the potential to boost and sustain significant levels of domestic manufacturing capability in the steel industry, says Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) industry development executive... →

LIFE LINE The power infrastructure industry holds significant potential to sustain the steel industry if it can meet its 100% local designation strategy to procure local steel

Augusta Steel

By: Zandile Mavuso 26th February 2016 Situated in Boksburg, in Gauteng at a 25 000 m² processing operation plant, steel processing company Augusta Steel’s plant has the capacity to handle coils of rolled steel of up to 30 tons. →

Equipment provider amasses solutions for steel

26th February 2016 Boksburg-based capital equipment and consumables provider Elquip Solutions provides a range of steel-related products, and products for coil processing and fabrication industries, which it sources from leading brands in the international market. →

MIKE CRONIN Elquip has extensive knowledge of the South African tube and pipe industry

Global steel associations take action against steel oversupply

10th July 2015 Latin America nonprofit steel organisation Latin American Steel Association (Alacero) in June announced that the global steel industry calls on governments to take action against China’s new steel policy, Steel Adjustment Policy, and overcapacity. The association says there is a strong consensus... →

Photo by Bloomberg
OVERCAPACITY The global steel industry is currently experiencing an oversupply of steel

Steel-welding specialist equips young people

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 The steel-welding industry stands to benefit from welding company Hydra Arc Group’s Mshiniwami Artisan Academy, which has been equipping young people with welding skills through theoretical, practical and in-field training since October last year, when its first learners started with their... →

WELDING SKILLS Welding-related research helps the Hydra Arc Group stay abreast of welding-technology developments

Local steel demand suffers 5% yearly contraction

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 Steel demand in South Africa has suffered a steep decline over the past eight years, having contracted by an average of 5% a year since 2007, says growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan Africa. Frost & Sullivan industrial business unit research analyst Tilden Hellyer notes that this dip was... →

Photo by Bloomberg
DOWNWARD SPIRAL Steel production fell in the first quarter of the year

Steel companies encouraged to invest in business development

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 South Africa’s steel production and conversion capacity is at an all- time low and, as a result, the industry has been forced to downsize by selling off less efficient assets to cover operational costs and working capital, says diversified boutique and investment holding company Africa Steel... →

MAYLEEN KYSTER Companies that invest in business development and identify new markets stand a chance of surviving tough market conditions

Industry body notes increased interest in light steel frame building

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 The increasing popularity of the light steel frame building (LSFB) contractor course offered by industry body the Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association (SASFA) is indicative of the country’s growing interest in this method of construction says Sasfa director John Barnard. He... →

BUILDING LIGHT Interest in Sasfa’s light-steel-frame-building contractor course is increasing

Steel producer highlights unique processing method

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 Keeping abreast of technological developments is integral to surviving the tough economic environment and the competitive steel industry, says Cape Town-based steel production company GKN Sinter Metals sales and marketing manager Jon Kerr. He tells Engineering News that using the right technology... →

SUPERIOR END PRODUCT GKN uses the right technology to produce quality products

Steel group implements energy saving initiative

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 Energy costs comprise a material portion of steel production costs and, in addition to using energy to melt and shape steel, auxiliary plants – such as those used for gas cleaning – also contribute significantly to energy consumption, says metallurgical processing plant supply company SMS group... →

IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY The metals industry is looking for ways to reduce its energy needs and reduce its carbon dioxide footprint

Fluctuating steel prices affect local manufacturers

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 A significant number of South African manufacturers have been forced to import steel over the past two years instead of buying it locally because local steel prices are high, says steel racking, shelving and mezzanine flooring manufacturer, supplier and installer Universal Storage Systems sales... →

FLUCTUATING COMMODITY While importing steel is sometimes the most economic option, Universal Storage Systems remains committed to local procurement

Global steel company launches new high-strength product

10th July 2015 Specialised global steel company SSAB’s new brand of steel, Strenx, is a high strength structural steel in the 600 to 1300 MPa range. Strenx performance steel combines the best properties of the three brands it replaces – Optim, Weldox and Domex – from SSAB and metal-based components and... →

IMPRESSIVE RESULTS Strenx steel is delivered with a set of guarantees that ensure trouble-free production consistently

Innovative cartridge filters for effective emissions control

10th July 2015 Filtration products and systems company Donaldson Filtration Solutions has provided steel trading and steel processing company Macsteel Group with Donaldson Torit downflo cartridge type filters for its plate cutting tables. Donaldson Filtration Solutions sales manager Jacques Cato says cartridge... →

INDUSTRY STANDARD Macsteel Group uses Donaldson Filtration Solutions downflo cartridge type filters for its plate cutting tables

South African steel industry faces global oversupply

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 The South African steel industry is under severe stress, an ongoing issue exemplified by steel and vanadium slag producer Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium filing for business rescue in April and integrated steel company ArcelorMittal South Africa reducing production capacity at some of its mills... →

Saisc CEO Paolo Trinchero and Saisi acting secretary general Johann Nel discuss the challenges currently facing the local steel industry

Energy efficient steel roller benefits materials handling sector

By: Bruce Montiea 10th July 2015 To meet the materials handling industry’s need for a cost-effective, energy efficient and long-lasting steel roller that also creates less noise pollution, conveyor rollers manufacturer and distributor Megaroller launched a new-generation steel roller onto the market in May. The roller is... →

NEW-GENERATION STEEL ROLLER Megaroller’s steel roller is designed to ensure accurate bearing alignment

More projects needed to grow local steel industry

By: David Oliveira 27th February 2015 The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) is concerned about the number of future infrastructure projects in South Africa, which will impact the revitalisation of the country’s struggling steel industry. Saisc CEO Paulo Trinchero tells Engineering News that, while inconsistent... →

MODULAR ASSEMBLY The entire floor of the multistorey steel-frame system is preassembled and erected in one piece

Evraz Highveld Q4 production up, prices down

By: Natalie Greve 27th February 2015 JSE-listed Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium achieved across-the-board production improvements in the fourth quarter ended December 31, citing improved efficiencies, ore quality and raw product availability. The company lifted the quarter-on-quarter production of hot metal by 9% to 167 975 t in the... →

AMSA furnace downcomer replaced in 14 days

27th February 2015 Fabrication, refurbishment and engineered solutions provider DCD Venco helped prevent further delays on the Blast Furnace N5 Reline Project at steel giant ArcelorMittal South Africa’s (AMSA’s) Newcastle Works facility in KwaZulu-Natal, in August last year, after it remanufactured a new 45-m-long,... →

Seifsa launches Awards for Excellence

27th February 2015 To encourage growth and celebrate excellence in the metals and engineering sector, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) has taken the initiative of introducing the yearly Seifsa Awards for Excellence. This year’s winners will be announced on the first day of... →

Improved operating efficiency needed to remain competitive

By: David Oliveira 27th February 2015 The rising conversion cost of steel production, coupled with low steel consumption and oversupply, has prompted steel producers worldwide to implement technological and operational modifications to improve plant efficiencies and reduce operating costs, says the South African arm of Germany-based... →

INJECTOR TECHNOLOGY Increases the amount of primary energy needed for the melting process, which significantly reduces a steel producer’s grid-based energy consumption

Steel manufacturer donates hall to KZN community

27th February 2015 Inkatha Freedom Party president and Buthelezi clan chieftain Mangosuthu Buthelezi officially handed over the Goqo Community Hall, in KwaZulu-Natal, in December last year. The hall was donated to the Buthelezi Traditional Council by steel, tube and pipe manufacturer Robor. “The most remarkable... →

No single solution for decreased energy consumption – worldsteel

27th February 2015 Steel industry body the World Steel Association (worldsteel) earlier this month published a new technical report on energy use in the steel industry, highlighting that there is no single solution for steel plants to decrease their energy intensity and identifying the main factors that affect the... →

Global crude steel production increases 1.2% year-on-year

27th February 2015 World crude steel production reached just under 1.7-billion tonnes at the close of 2014 – up by 1.2% from 2013 figures, says steel industry association body the World Steel Association (worldsteel) adding that, last year, the Middle East, which is the smallest region in the world for crude steel... →

Sassda honours local stainless steel fabricators at gala event

27th February 2015 The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) in November announced the winners of the 2014 Stainless Steel Awards at a gala banquet held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg. “We have seen some of the strongest entries in several years for the 2014 Stainless Steel... →

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