The latest issue of Sassda Stainless Steel Magazine is here, packed with fresh insight, bold ideas, and opportunities shaping the stainless steel industry across Southern Africa and the continent. From economic outlooks to architectural innovation and expanding African markets, this edition highlights the trends and expertise driving the sector forward.
IISSUE 3 2026
GROWTH ON TAP
Stainless Steel’s R154B WATER PROJECT PIPELINE
TURNING PROTECTION INTO PRODUCTION
Contents
Demand Driver R1bn Food-Processing Investment Could Unlock 2000 t Stainless Steel Demand Demand Driver R156bn Water Pipeline Could Drive New Stainless Steel Demand Africa Market Intelligence Zimbabwe’s Industrial Reset: New Growth Frontier for Stainless Steel Sassda News Sassda Consultancy Turns Stainless Steel Data into Industry Action Sassda News KZN Stainless Steel Industry Proves it Has Drive Obituary Memoriam: Tom Rice - Farewell to a Giant of the Industry Obituary Memoriam: Les Midgley: Builder, Entrepeneur, Adventurer & Gentleman
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Industry Perspective Turning Protection into Production GPS Roundup Market Intelligence to Boost Business Growth Sassda News Sassda Opens Global OEM Supply Chain to Local Stainless Steel Fabricators Sassda News Sassda Builds Data-Driven Case to Defend SA’s Hollowware Industry State of the Stainless Steel Nation Protection Buys Time But Demand Will Determine the Future Professional Profile Closing the Loop: Skills, Sustainability & Stainless Steel’s Future Technical Case Study Straight First Time: How Welding Planning Prevents Costly Distortion Technical Case Study Before the Arc Strikes: How to Predict and Control Stainless Steel Weld Shrinkage
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Adverts Anderson Engineering • EMV Africa Fastenright • Multi-Alloys
industry perspective
Contact us
TELEPHONE NUMBER 011 883 0119
EMAIL info@sassda.co.za WEBSITE www.sassda.co.za
Sassda
MICHEL BASSON Executive Director michel@sassda.co.za
CALLUM SUTHERLAND Members & Communication callum@sassda.co.za MANKABE MORE Education & Training mankabe@sassda.co.za
The introduction of tariffs and safeguard measures recognises the seriousness of the pressures facing the broader steel value chain. These interventions can provide valuable breathing space, but they cannot generate sustainable growth on their own. Protection must be accompanied by infrastructure delivery, effective localisation, competitive energy and logistics, and a far stronger pipeline of work for local producers and fabricators. For Sassda, this means moving beyond broad calls for support and developing the evidence, technical insight and industry connections required to achieve practical results. As highlighted in this issue, our analysis of the stainless steel hollowware market is a good example. We are combining import volumes and declared customs values with retail prices, product specifications, material grades and local manufacturing capability. This will help us determine whether imported products are entering South Africa at commercially realistic values and whether they comply with local requirements. Importantly, the objective is not indiscriminate protection. It is to establish a credible, evidence-based case for targeted intervention where there are signs of dumping, misdeclaration, noncompliance or unfair competition. This issue of Sassda Stainless Steel Magazine reflects an industry at a critical point. Rising imports, weak domestic demand, infrastructure delays and persistent cost pressures are testing the resilience of local manufacturers. Yet the articles in these pages also demonstrate that focused action can rebuild demand, strengthen local supply chains and create new opportunities for our members. Turning Protection into Production
TEBOGO NKWE Market Intelligence & Lobbying Tebogo@sassda.co.za KIM STEVENS Events, Email Marketing and Website kstevens@sassda.co.za
LUISE ALLEMANN Content, Social Media and the Stainless Steel Magazine luise@mediaink.co.za
JOSE HERON Accounts jose@sassda.co.za
The Stainless steel magazine is published quarterly and is distributed to stockists, distributors, fabricators, specifiers, consulting engineers, architects, mining, petrochemical and chemical industries, food beverage and pharmaceutical industries, consumer outlets, end-users, educational institutes and provincial and government departments. Sassda makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made as to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher or Sassda for the consequences of any actions based on information so published. All opinions, views and expressions contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the management of Sassda. The contents of this publication enjoy positive protection under the Copyright Act and therefore copyright thereof is expressly reserved. Any copying, publication and distribution of part or whole of the publication is prohibited unless consent is granted by Sassda.
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Issue 3 – 2026
industry perspective
Reliable market intelligence is becoming increasingly important across the sector. Through Sassda’s consultancy arm, we aim to create a specialist information hub that helps companies understand material flows, regional demand, import trends and changing market opportunities. Better information strengthens decision-making, whether a company is considering an investment, entering a new market or engaging with trade authorities. This edition also demonstrates how Sassda is working to translate localisation from policy into production. The nomination of Fabrinox and the National Stainless Steel Centre as potential suppliers to a German packaging equipment manufacturer shows what can happen when international requirements are matched with capable South African companies. Our technical support has also helped an American company replace an unusual material specification with locally available lean duplex stainless steel, enabling components to be manufactured in South Africa. These may begin as individual projects, but they can create activity across the value chain and establish pathways into global supply networks. South Africa still possesses substantial stainless steel expertise and manufacturing capability. However, that capacity cannot be sustained without demand, investment and a fair operating environment.
The challenge now is to turn the current window of protection into a platform for production. As the stories in this issue show, Sassda’s role is not only to represent its members, but to provide the intelligence, technical support and connections that help convert industry challenges into tangible commercial opportunities.
Enjoy the read!
Michel Basson, Sassda Executive Director
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gps roundup
Market Intelligence to Boost Business Growth Welcome to the highlights edition of the Sassda GPS eNewsletter, your go-to source for key developments shaping South Africa’s business, industrial, and economic landscape. Each month we distribute this popular market intelligence aggregator to an exclusive database of members and associates. This selection of the best articles from the last quarter, aims to extend access to this quality content by prioritising the top stories from the latest issues…
Toyota’s R10.4bn Hilux investment reinforces manufacturing confidence Toyota South Africa’s R10.4-billion investment in ninth-generation Hilux production demonstrates the scale of industrial activity that can be anchored locally through export competitiveness, supplier development and long-term investment. The programme extends beyond a new vehicle model: it supports production capability across a broad component ecosystem. It also offers a useful benchmark for other sectors seeking to deepen localisation while maintaining the quality, productivity and technical standards required in global markets.… Read more
Electricity capacity set to more than double South Africa’s long-term electricity plan envisages more than doubling generation capacity through a mix of renewables, storage, gas and nuclear power. The scale of the proposed build-out points to sustained demand across generation, transmission and grid infrastructure. Stainless steel has applications throughout this value chain, from corrosion- resistant equipment and piping to specialised components used in harsh operating environments. Delivery will, however, depend on grid expansion, investment certainty and the ability to execute projects at pace.… Read more Smarter procurement could rebuild the industrial base Calls for a more deliberate procurement strategy reflect a growing recognition that public spending can do more than acquire goods and services. It can help sustain factories, deepen supply chains and build technical capability. For Sassda members, clearer local-content rules and better visibility of future demand would support investment in equipment, people and certification. The challenge is to balance localisation with competitiveness, quality and delivery, ensuring that procurement creates durable industrial capacity rather than short-term compliance.… Read more
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gps roundup
Small modular reactors enter South Africa’s nuclear conversation Growing interest in small modular reactors is widening the discussion around South Africa’s future electricity mix. SMRs are promoted as a scalable source of dependable, low-carbon power, although financing, regulation, localisation and delivery timeframes remain decisive considerations. Nuclear projects are particularly relevant to stainless steel because reactor systems, pressure vessels, piping and safety-critical equipment require materials capable of performing reliably in demanding environments. A credible programme could therefore support highly specialised local manufacturing.... Watch here
Transnet outlines R129.1bn capital programme & procurement reset Transnet plans to spend R129.1-billion over five years, with R116-billion directed towards maintaining reliability and protecting existing freight volumes. At the same time, the group is tightening procurement controls to prevent overcharging and reduce unnecessary intermediaries. This combination could open a substantial market for manufacturers that can supply directly, meet demanding technical specifications and demonstrate value. It also strengthens the case for rebuilding local production capacity around the country’s logistics infrastructure.... Read more waste management and municipal services has direct relevance for stainless steel suppliers, particularly where corrosion resistance and long service life are critical. The funding is encouraging, but its industrial impact will depend on municipal capacity, sound project preparation and procurement models that give competitive local manufacturers a meaningful opportunity to participate.... Read more New Development Bank backs urban infrastructure The New Development Bank has approved financing of up to $1-billion for infrastructure in South Africa’s major urban centres. Investment in water, sanitation,
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gps roundup
R1-trillion infrastructure drive gathers pace South Africa’s proposed R1-trillion infrastructure programme could provide a major demand stimulus across transport, energy, water and public infrastructure. These are all markets in which stainless steel’s corrosion resistance, durability and low lifecycle cost can deliver long-term value. The opportunity for local suppliers will depend on projects moving from announcement to implementation, supported by realistic budgets, transparent procurement and greater certainty around the construction pipeline.... Read more
Private investment adds momentum to rail reform Traxtion’s R1.4-billion capital raise signals growing private-sector confidence in the reform of South Africa’s freight rail system. Expanded private participation could accelerate locomotive investment, improve service reliability and help recover volumes lost to road transport. For the metals and fabrication sectors, a functioning rail network matters twice over: it lowers the cost of moving raw materials and finished products, while rail rehabilitation and fleet investment create a market for locally manufactured components and engineering services.... Read more
Transnet completes R4bn Saldanha terminal investment Transnet’s completion of a R4-billion investment programme at the Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal is an important step towards restoring the reliability of South Africa’s bulk-export logistics system. Improved terminal performance supports mining exports and the wider industrial economy, while maintenance and modernisation programmes create opportunities for engineering contractors and materials suppliers. Reliable ports and rail corridors are also essential if South African manufacturers are to compete effectively in export markets.… Read more
Revised industrial strategy targets de-industrialisation
Government’s revised Industrial Development Strategy places localisation, productive investment and higher- value manufacturing firmly back on the economic agenda. For the stainless steel sector, the significance lies in whether policy can be translated into predictable demand, competitive input costs and procurement that rewards capable local producers. Reversing de-industrialisation will require more than broad commitments: it will depend on coordinated action across infrastructure, trade, energy and skills development.... Read more
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sassda news
Sassda opens global OEM supply chain to local stainless steel fabricators
Localisation Champion The first engagement has also encouraged the Localisation Support Fund to approach Sassda with a further manufacturing opportunity for its members. Sassda is due to meet with the fund to establish the technical requirements and determine which local companies are best positioned to participate. Basson says the development demonstrates Sassda’s growing role as a link between international companies seeking local capacity and South African manufacturers capable of meeting their technical and quality requirements. A separate project involving an American company is already generating local stainless steel work following technical input from Sassda. The overseas company had initially specified an unusual grade of stainless steel that was not readily available in South Africa. Sassda assessed the application and recommended lean duplex stainless steel as a technically suitable and more readily available alternative. The change in material specification helped persuade the company to manufacture the components locally. Stainless steel components have since been produced and are expected to be transferred to another South African company for assembly and further value addition. The project is creating activity across several parts of the domestic value chain, including the stainless steel supplier, component manufacturer and assembly operation. “The technical advice did more than resolve a material selection issue. It helped create the conditions for the components to be manufactured in South Africa,” Basson explains. He adds that Sassda is now pursuing several initiatives aimed at providing direct commercial value to members, including localisation, technical support, market intelligence, trade advocacy and export readiness. The latest projects suggest that this approach is beginning to produce measurable results. Rather than treating localisation as a broad policy ambition, Sassda is using its technical knowledge and industry network to identify specific requirements, connect international buyers with capable manufacturers and turn global supply-chain challenges into production opportunities for South African companies.
Western Cape-based Fabrinox and Gauteng-based National Stainless Steel Centre have been nominated as potential local suppliers and are progressing through the international original-equipment manufacturer’s vetting process. The German company manufactures packaging machinery used across a wide range of consumer industries, with applications ranging from toothpaste tubes to milk cartons, yoghurt containers and other food and beverage products. Its immediate requirement is for South African manufacturers capable of supplying replacement parts and customised components for equipment already operating across Africa. Sassda Executive Director Michel Basson says the opportunity emerged through the Localisation Support Fund, which approached the association for assistance in identifying two capable component manufacturers. “We wanted to provide the company with manufacturing capacity in both the north and south of the country. Fabrinox and National Stainless Steel Centre were nominated and are now progressing through the vetting process,” he says. The OEM’s interest in local sourcing is being driven partly by the difficulty and cost of supplying spare parts and customised components to machinery users across Africa from its overseas operations. The initial focus is expected to be on replacement parts and less complex components. However, successful supplier development could create opportunities for South African companies to manufacture larger assemblies and potentially undertake local assembly in the longer term. This would represent a significant progression from o nce-off component orders to sustained participation in an international equipment manufacturer’s African supply chain. Sassda has helped position two South African stainless steel fabricators to enter the supply chain of a German packaging equipment manufacturer, marking tangible progress in its drive to convert localisation opportunities into work for members.
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sassda news
Sassda is undertaking a detailed market and technical analysis of South Africa’s stainless steel hollowware sector as it seeks to establish a stronger, evidence-based case for local manufacturing and action against potentially underpriced and noncompliant imports. Sassda builds data-driven case to defend SA’s hollowware industry
with South African Bureau of Standards specifications (SABS) and whether the stainless steel grades claimed by suppliers were being used. SABS requirements specify grades such as 304 and 430 stainless steel for hollowware sold locally. However, Sassda’s earlier investigations found significant variations in the quality and composition of some imported products, raising questions about durability, corrosion resistance and compliance. The latest research adds a commercial and economic dimension to this technical work. As part of this, Sassda has been monitoring hollowware import volumes and declared customs values over several years. Import volumes declined for a period but began increasing rapidly following the Covid-19 pandemic, when several South African manufacturers lost market share. Recent Sassda analysis indicates that hollowware imported from China during 2024 and 2025 dominates other countries of origin, and entered South Africa at average declared customs values of much lower than would be practical for South African producers to compete with.
The research brings together import statistics, retail pricing, product specifications, material grades and local manufacturing capability to build a more complete picture of the pressures confronting domestic producers. Hollowware encompasses everyday stainless steel products such as pots, pans, bowls, serving dishes and cooking utensils. Although these are relatively simple consumer products, the sector represents an important downstream market for stainless steel producers, stockists, fabricators, finishers and other service providers. Sassda Executive Director Michel Basson says the initiative has moved beyond general concern about cheap imports towards developing the detailed market intelligence needed to support practical intervention. “Accurate information allows us to generate insights that can make a measurable difference to local industry. The objective is to put Sassda in a position where we can use the available trade and regulatory instruments effectively,” he reports. Sassda has previously investigated the quality of imported hollowware, including whether products complied
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sassda news
Far from a level playing field When these values are assessed against the underlying cost of commonly used stainless steel grades, as well as manufacturing, freight and distribution costs, the disparity raises serious questions about whether local manufacturers are competing on an equitable basis. The concern is not simply that imported products are cheaper. Sassda is seeking to determine whether certain prices are commercially realistic and whether they may indicate dumping, incorrect customs declarations or the use of materials that do not comply with local specifications. To strengthen its analysis, Sassda is also conducting detailed retail research. This includes visiting stores, photographing products, recording prices and barcodes, checking stated material grades and converting retail prices into comparable per-kilogram values. The data is being consolidated and analysed using digital and artificial-intelligence-supported tools, allowing Sassda to compare products, retailers, import values and retail margins across a large dataset. The intention is to establish a defensible benchmark value for stainless steel hollowware. Goods imported
below this benchmark could then be flagged for closer examination by the relevant authorities. Basson describes the work as a high-level pre- feasibility study that can help determine whether greater local production is commercially viable. “If local manufacturers can compete at globally realistic commercial prices but are being displaced by products entering the country at questionable values, targeted trade remedies or tighter enforcement may be more appropriate than general industry support.” An accountability mechanism Looking ahead, Sassda plans to use the research to support its engagement with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC). The introduction of permit requirements for certain imported steel products could provide an additional mechanism through which suspiciously low-priced hollowware imports can be identified and investigated. Sassda does not advocate indiscriminate protection across the stainless steel market. Its approach is to support targeted intervention where there is credible evidence of dumping, misdeclaration, substandard material or other anticompetitive practices. For Sassda members, the relevance extends beyond existing hollowware manufacturers. Reviving the sector would create demand throughout the value chain, including for stainless steel sheet and coil, tooling, forming, welding, polishing, packaging, logistics and technical services. The association has also been investigating the production capacity of local automotive and other manufacturing facilities that could potentially diversify into hollowware production. This supply-side assessment is now being combined with the consumer and retail research to establish a holistic view of the market. The result could provide manufacturers and investors with credible information on demand, pricing, production requirements and potential routes to market. “At the back end, we have examined local manufacturing capacity. At
the front end, we are now analysing what consumers are buying and paying,” Basson says. For a sector seeking to rebuild domestic manufacturing capability, Sassda’s hollowware research could offer more than a snapshot of the market. It could provide the factual foundation required to convert localisation ambitions into commercially sustainable production, investment and employment.
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state of the stainless steel nation
Protection buys time but demand will determine the future South Africa’s stainless steel value chain has
competition and insufficient demand from infrastructure and industrial projects. The message emerging from a June 2026 meeting of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition was unequivocal: South Africa cannot protect its way out of the crisis. Tariffs and trade remedies can create breathing room, but the sector’s future depends on rebuilding demand for locally produced steel and fabricated products. A demand crisis at the heart of the problem Appearing before the committee to report on progress with the Steel and Metal Fabrication Master Plan, International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) chief commissioner Ayabonga Cawe identified inadequate domestic demand as one of the sector’s most fundamental challenges. Increased infrastructure spending and industrial investment are therefore essential if South Africa is to create a sustainable market for locally produced steel and downstream fabricated products. The success of the master plan will depend on infrastructure delivery, enforceable localisation, improved coordination across government and a more competitive industrial base, not tariffs in isolation. This is particularly relevant to stainless steel. The material has important applications across water and
South Africa’s steel sector is confronting what government trade authorities have described as an “emergency situation”, driven by global overcapacity, rising imports, weak domestic demand and a sustained decline in local production. These pressures extend across the wider metals value chain. While stainless steel operates in a distinct market from carbon and long steel, its producers, merchants, fabricators and end-users face many of the same structural constraints: subdued investment, inconsistent procurement, high electricity and logistics costs, growing import demand will determine whether the sector recovers or continues its managed decline. reached a decisive point. New tariffs and safeguard measures may provide temporary relief from rising imports, but industry leaders and policymakers agree that trade protection alone cannot rebuild domestic manufacturing. Infrastructure investment, enforceable localisation, competitive energy and logistics and stronger downstream
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state of the stainless steel nation
wastewater infrastructure, food and beverage processing, mining, energy, transport, healthcare and architectural projects. However, its durability and low lifecycle cost create demand only when projects are specified correctly, funded and ultimately implemented. South Africa has no shortage of infrastructure plans. The more pressing question is how quickly these plans can move through project preparation, procurement and construction, and how much of the resulting demand will reach domestic manufacturers and fabricators. Production declines as imports rise Data presented by the South African Iron and Steel Institute (Saisi) to Parliament underlined the seriousness of the wider steel industry’s position. Annualised crude steel production was reportedly 8% lower in April 2026, while primary steel imports increased by 38% month on month and exports declined by 21%. Import penetration in long steel reached 27% during the first quarter, which Saisi described as crossing a structural threshold. The longer-term trend is equally concerning. South Africa produced more than nine-million tonnes of steel in 2005, but current output is estimated at less than half that level. Imports now account for about 36% of South African steel consumption, with China supplying approximately 73% of imported material. Government responded in May by raising duties on specified products, including certain flat- rolled products, bars, rods, tubes and pipes, from previous levels of between zero and 15% to a range of 10% to 30%. ITAC has also introduced safeguard duties intended to give domestic producers time to adjust to import pressure. The duties start at 52.34% in the first year, before declining to 37.34% and 22.34% over the following two years, with exemptions and rebate mechanisms for products that cannot be sourced locally. For local manufacturers, these interventions could restore some price discipline. However, protection must be carefully calibrated. If material is unavailable locally, or local
prices rise without corresponding improvements in service and competitiveness, downstream fabricators may be disadvantaged. Global steel protection intensifies South Africa’s response is taking place amid a worldwide shift towards more assertive industrial and trade policy. From July 2026, the European Union reduced tariff-free steel import volumes by 47% compared with 2024 levels and increased the duty on above-quota imports from 25% to 50%. It also introduced a “melt and pour” traceability requirement, linking the origin of steel to where it was first melted and cast rather than where it underwent limited subsequent processing. The UK similarly reduced its tariff-free steel quotas by 51%, with imports above those limits facing a 50% tariff. The UK government cited global overcapacity and the strategic importance of domestic steelmaking to critical infrastructure and defence. These measures may create further challenges for South African exporters while diverting displaced steel into less-protected markets. They also demonstrate that major economies increasingly regard domestic metals production as a strategic capability rather than simply another commodity market. Localisation must move beyond policy Parliament’s trade and industry committee has called for binding local procurement commitments, stronger enforcement and closer alignment between infrastructure spending and supplier development. Its recommendations include enforceable public procurement for domestically produced steel, targeted assistance for vulnerable subsectors, resolution of electricity pricing and freight logistics constraints, development finance and tax incentives for downstream manufacturers, and a rail reindustrialisation compact led by the Presidency. The committee also called for stronger action against illicit, underpriced and incorrectly declared imports.
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the reinstatement of State-owned enterprise supplier- development programmes. It also argued that the R1-trillion infrastructure pipeline should be deployed with minimal offshore leakage and used to strengthen downstream manufacturing. For stainless steel companies seeking to export, certification and compliance with international quality, environmental and traceability requirements will become increasingly important. The EU’s emerging origin rules and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism illustrate the direction of travel: international buyers will expect more detailed evidence about where material was produced, how it was processed and the carbon intensity attached to it. Green steel offers a longer-term route forward Government is developing a steel value-chain roadmap that considers the diversification of production technologies and product mix, including a transition from traditional blast furnaces towards electric arc furnaces and potentially direct- reduced iron. Green industrial zones in Saldanha Bay and other strategic locations are also under consideration, while hydrogen-based production and renewable energy could eventually give South Africa a lower-carbon competitive advantage. This transition will require substantial investment and cannot distract from the immediate task of stabilising existing capacity. Nevertheless, South Africa’s renewable- energy resources and mineral base could position it strongly if policy certainty, affordable electricity and the required logistics are secured. A strategic crossroads South Africa retains deep technical expertise, established production capacity and a downstream manufacturing base capable of supplying demanding local and international markets. Yet capability cannot survive indefinitely without sufficient demand. The immediate trade measures are therefore best viewed as a window of opportunity, not a permanent solution. They give industry, government and project owners time to rebuild demand, improve competitiveness and strengthen domestic supply chains. The choices made during 2026 and 2027 will be decisive. If infrastructure spending is implemented, localisation is enforced intelligently and industrial constraints are addressed, the current crisis could become the starting point for renewal. If implementation falters, South Africa risks losing further production capacity, specialist skills and strategic industrial capability that will be extremely difficult and costly to rebuild. Sources: • https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dSZA-7YiCos ITAC’s parliamentary overview • Parliament’s committee statement European Parliament UK government steel trade measure • Saisi’s industry summary Reuters’ report on the tariff changes
For the stainless steel industry, localisation must mean more than nominal local-content percentages. It should begin during project design and specification, with domestic capability mapped before tenders are issued. Local firms also need sufficient visibility of the project pipeline to justify investment in equipment, technical skills, quality systems and international certification. Without predictable demand, manufacturers cannot confidently expand capacity; without capacity, procuring authorities may argue that local suppliers cannot deliver. Breaking this cycle will require structured engagement among government departments, State-owned companies, engineering consultants, project owners, mills, merchants and fabricators. Infrastructure represents the greatest opportunity. Public infrastructure is the most immediate route to rebuilding demand. Water and sanitation systems, rail infrastructure, ports, energy projects and public buildings can consume substantial volumes of locally produced and fabricated materials. Stainless steel has a particularly strong value proposition in water infrastructure, where corrosion resistance, hygiene and long service life can reduce maintenance requirements and whole-life costs. It also has applications in coastal and port environments, food processing, renewable and nuclear energy systems, and rail rolling stock. However, the industry must continue making the case for lifecycle value. Procurement decisions based largely on the lowest initial price may favour materials that are cheaper upfront but more expensive to maintain and replace. Competitiveness remains non-negotiable Localisation and protection cannot substitute for competitiveness. Electricity prices, unreliable freight logistics, municipal service failures, financing costs and skills shortages continue to undermine domestic industry. Saisi identified electricity pricing as the single most important competitiveness lever and called for
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professional profile
Closing the Loop: Skills, Sustainability & Stainless Steel’s Future
Cronimet Operations Manager Dominic Maguire has built his career from the ground up, combining hands-on materials knowledge with commercial and operational experience. In this profile he outlines his views on circularity, skills development, local manufacturing and the innovations shaping a more resilient future for South Africa’s stainless steel industry…
Please tell us a little about your background, including where you grew up, your education and how your career ultimately led you into the stainless steel industry? I grew up in Johannesburg and completed my schooling at Trinityhouse. After finishing matric, I took a gap year, during which I started a private cricket coaching business. What began as a small venture grew steadily over the next three years, teaching me valuable lessons in entrepreneurship and managing a business from a young age. Following my gap year, I moved to Pretoria, where I studied towards a BCom degree through UNISA while also completing a certificate in Business Management. During my second year, I entered the recycling industry, joining a waste management company as a sales representative. I spent my time outside class, calling on businesses, building customer relationships and developing an understanding of the recycling sector and its dynamics. In 2012, I returned to Johannesburg and joined a leading paper merchant, where I spent the next six years in the paper and print industry. During that time, I progressed through several roles, starting in internal sales before
moving into warehouse management and eventually becoming Internal Sales Manager. Working across multiple areas of the business gave me a broad understanding of operations, logistics, customer service and commercial management, providing a strong foundation for the next stage of my career. In 2018, I joined Cronimet, where I have continued to build on those experiences while developing a deep understanding of the stainless steel recycling and raw materials industry. Each stage of my career has contributed to the practical knowledge, commercial perspective and appreciation for sustainability that continue to shape my approach today. What have been some of the most significant roles, projects or milestones that have challenged you the most? Looking back, I attribute much of my practical experience to my time in the paper and print industry. Being involved in virtually every aspect of the business over several years provided me with a solid foundation in operations, customer relationships and commercial decision-making, skills that I continue to build on today.
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professional profile
When I joined Cronimet in 2018, one of the valuable things I did was spend a year in the yard sorting and grading stainless steel. That experience was invaluable. It gave me a thorough understanding of the different grades and chemistries of stainless steel, while also showing me just how versatile the material is and how deeply it is integrated into our everyday lives. Having that hands-on knowledge has been instrumental throughout my career and has given me a much greater appreciation of the entire recycling and production process. My first major project for Cronimet was both exciting and challenging. It involved travelling to a mine in eastern Zambia to inspect and grade a large parcel of stainless steel material. Securing the project required overcoming numerous technical, logistical and commercial challenges, but it was an incredibly rewarding experience. The lessons I learned and the professional relationships I built during that project have remained with me, and continue to influence the way I approach business today. Since then, I have been fortunate to visit numerous companies and industrial sites across South Africa, seeing first-hand how stainless steel is used in a wide range of sectors. From mining and mineral processing to the food and beverage industry, hospitality, automotive manufacturing, construction and everyday consumer products, the applications are remarkably diverse. These experiences have reinforced my belief in the importance of stainless steel as a material of the future. “Customers, suppliers, engineering firms and manufacturers are increasingly recognising that sustainability is not only an environmental responsibility but also a commercial one” What are the biggest professional lessons you have learnt in your career? • First, know what you don’t know. Acknowledge when you don’t have an answer or solution. It is an opportunity to learn, so don’t hide from it. • Communication is key. Whether it is with a colleague, an employee or a customer, it builds trust and mutual appreciation. • Work with structure, set goals and keep your head down. • Embrace pressure. Let it drive and focus you. What is your current role and what does a typical day involve? I am currently Operations Manager at Cronimet and oversee all aspects of our production and operational activities. My responsibilities include managing logistics, material sorting and quality control, processing operations, supplier engagement, operational reporting and ensuring that our
day-to-day activities run as efficiently and effectively as possible. Ultimately, my focus is on ensuring that everything works together seamlessly, from the moment material arrives at our facility to when it is delivered to our customers as a high-quality, chemically accurate secondary raw material. “Technology, automation and improved processing efficiencies are transforming the way stainless steel is produced, recycled and manufactured” How do you see the company’s role evolving as manufacturers and customers increasingly focus on sustainability and the circular economy? Cronimet is an important part of the global stainless steel supply chain, and our continued investment in recycling technologies is transforming the way critical raw materials are recovered and returned to production. Across the Group, we are developing innovative solutions that not only improve material recovery but also support the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. As a result, we have taken meaningful steps to reduce our environmental footprint, including operating our facility entirely on solar power and progressively transitioning away from diesel-powered operating equipment. These initiatives demonstrate that sustainability is not simply an idea. It is embedded in the way we operate. In Europe, sustainability has become a key driver of business decisions, with growing expectations around responsible sourcing and carbon reduction. We are now seeing those same conversations gaining momentum in South Africa. Customers, suppliers, engineering firms and manufacturers are increasingly recognising that sustainability is not only an environmental responsibility but also a commercial one. It is becoming essential for every participant in the value chain to be part of that conversation, but more importantly, part of the solution. As a global organisation, Cronimet’ s sustainability ambitions are aligned with internationally recognised environmental objectives. While South Africa faces unique challenges, including infrastructure constraints and an evolving energy landscape, we believe meaningful progress is achieved through consistent action. Every improvement, no matter how small, contributes to a more sustainable operation. Cronimet has established itself as a leader in the global metal recycling industry by demonstrating that commercial success and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Through continued innovation,
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professional profile
investment and collaboration, we are helping shape a more resilient, low-carbon future for the stainless steel industry.
throughout the entire stainless steel value chain, affecting investment, employment, skills development and local industrial capability. Over the next five years, I would like to see South Africa become more competitive within the global marketplace, rather than simply becoming a larger market for imported products. Achieving this will require a coordinated effort between industry, state-owned enterprises and government. We need policies that support local manufacturing, greater investment in infrastructure, more reliable and cost-effective logistics and energy, and an operating environment that enables South African businesses to compete on quality, innovation and efficiency. While the challenges are significant, I remain optimistic. The political and economic reforms currently underway offer an opportunity to rebuild confidence and create a more supportive environment for investment. If we can improve competitiveness and work together across the value chain, I believe we can unlock meaningful growth in the consumption of locally produced stainless steel and build a stronger, more resilient industry for the future. Which industries do you believe will drive the next phase of growth for stainless steel in South Africa and globally? One of the most exciting innovations we are working on, is processing redundant mine dumps. Through significant investment in research and advanced processing technologies, we have developed the capability to recover valuable elements that were once considered unrecoverable. These materials can now be returned to the production cycle as high-quality secondary raw materials, reducing waste, conserving natural resources and supporting more sustainable stainless steel production. We have also developed specialised products for the welding industry, demonstrating how innovation can create new applications for recycled materials while reinforcing the principles of the circular economy. These developments show that recycling is no longer simply about recovering materials. It is about unlocking new value through technology and innovation. Looking ahead, I believe South Africa’s next phase of industrial growth will depend on greater investment in infrastructure and the continued support of strategic manufacturing sectors, particularly the automotive industry. The automotive sector remains one of the country’s most important industries, having made substantial investments in manufacturing capacity, skills development and job creation over many years. However, increasing logistics challenges, infrastructure constraints and growing competition from imported vehicles continue to place significant pressure on its competitiveness. If South Africa can improve logistics, strengthen infrastructure and create an environment that supports local manufacturing and value addition, industries such as automotive and stainless steel will be well positioned for long-term growth.
How important is technical knowledge and skills development to ensuring the successful use and recycling of stainless steel? The industry is evolving quickly. Technology, automation and improved processing efficiencies are transforming the way stainless steel is produced, recycled and manufactured However, while technology is an important enabler, it is people who ultimately drive innovation. Skilled engineers, metallurgists, boilermakers, welders, fabricators and manufacturers remain fundamental to the continued growth and success of the industry. Organisations such as Sassda are already making a valuable contribution through their range of stainless steel training courses, which provide practical knowledge and skills development across the industry. I believe more companies should take advantage of these courses by encouraging employees, from sales teams and procurement staff to welders, fabricators and fitters, to participate. The better people understand stainless steel, its applications and its long-term value, the better equipped they are to recommend, specify and work with the material. Ultimately, building a stronger skills base benefits the entire industry. It improves product quality, encourages innovation, supports sustainable manufacturing and helps grow confidence in stainless steel as the material of choice. The more knowledgeable advocates we have across the value chain, the greater the opportunity to expand stainless steel consumption and strengthen South Africa’s manufacturing sector. What do you see as the South African stainless steel sector’s biggest challenges over the next five years, and where do the greatest opportunities lie? There is nothing inherently wrong with global competition. In fact, healthy competition drives innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement. My concern arises when the playing field is no longer level. South Africa has become increasingly reliant on imported products, often to the detriment of our local mills, manufacturers, fabricators and engineering companies. The impact has been felt “Building a stronger skills base... improves product quality, encouragesinnovation, supports sustainable manufacturing and helps grow confidence in stainless steel as the material of choice”
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