SASSDA questions why SA Stainless Steel isn’t first choice for local projects webinar report back
Creating increased demand for South African stainless steel within key sectors such as mining, automotive, and food and beverage is a key area of focus for the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) in 2023. This was the view of Sassda Executive Director Michel Basson in a recent webinar on the ‘State of the Stainless Steel Nation’ where he provided a comprehensive local and global overview of the sector.
B asson stated; “The local industry is well-positioned to supply African markets with a variety of world-class stainless steel products that can rival other global competitors. This presents significant opportunities for local fabricated products including industrial capital equipment for mining, agricultural applications, food processing, and health applications.” Sassda has therefore put measures in place to strengthen the industry, provide access to new opportunities and capacity in other sectors, and stimulate local demand. Basson elaborated, “Local demand can also be stimulated through the designation of local products in infrastructures at all government levels. We see many projects where there’s a definite contract requirement for 100% local supply; these companies require exemption from the dtic.”
Punting the use of local stainless steel I n pursuit of its mandate, Sassda is also exploring opportunities to replace numerous applications where galvanized metals are currently being utilised with 3CR12, the world’s most specified 12% chromium utility stainless steel. Sassda has various partnerships in place to facilitate localisation in industries such as food and beverage, medical, automotive, cutlery, travel, and containers in multiple countries, providing a range of opportunities for the local stainless steel market. Sassda has also been assisting with evaluating various government-funded projects and has seen definitive growth in municipal undertakings in certain provinces. “Unfortunately, we are currently constrained by a number of
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