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containers, architecture, and strong domestic markets like cutlery and tubing. Today, much of that is gone. We’ve stalled. And in some cases, we’ve scored own goals,” says Maguire. He attributes the sector’s decline in part to government interference and restrictive trade regulations. “We know what needs fixing, but the industry isn’t being heard,” he adds. Sustainable growth In contrast, Cronimet has adapted by putting sustainability at the heart of its business. Where input cost once dominated decision-making, today environmental impact and efficiency are central to how the company operates. This mindset has led to serious
investment. Cronimet South Africa recently installed 594 photovoltaic panels that allow its operations to run on solar power during daylight hours. Diesel-powered forklifts and heavy loaders have been replaced with electric versions. “These weren’t decisions we were forced into due to load shedding. They were strategic moves to reduce our environmental impact and long-term operating costs,” says Maguire. Technology has also changed the way scrap is processed. While some tools such as handheld analysers remain essential for identifying materials, new techniques allow Cronimet to blend and refine stainless steel scrap that contains high levels of copper, which previously had little to no market value. “What used to sell for cents now has real value because of better recoverability. We’ve shifted our mindset from disposal to beneficiation,” says Maguire. Yet even as sustainability becomes more integrated into business models globally, Maguire believes the concept of the circular economy remains poorly understood in South Africa. “In Europe, circularity is the default. Here, most people in the sector still don’t really know what it means. Ask ten people for a definition and you’ll get ten answers or blank stares,” he says. He believes industry bodies and the recycling sector at large must take the lead in changing this. “We should be driving that conversation and educating both industry and government,” he says. For Cronimet, promoting circularity is not just a trend, but part of a broader commitment to building a future-proof business model. “It’s not just a PR line. It’s in our training, in our daily operations, in how we plan ahead,” Maguire says. Facing local challenges with global vision Although Cronimet initially considered large-scale celebrations for its thirtieth anniversary, global and local
uncertainty led to a more modest approach. Instead, the focus is on recognising the people who built the business, including several employees who have been with the company since its inception. That loyalty and continuity, Maguire believes, are part of what makes Cronimet resilient and forward-looking. Looking to the future, he sees opportunity not just in growing the company’s recycling operations but also in expanding its role in value-added production. “We’re asking our younger team: where do you see us in five or ten years? Maybe we’re not just about recycling anymore. Maybe we’re adding new value in different ways,” he says. Globally, Cronimet is already experimenting with new processes, including converting scrap into specialised alloys and recovering materials from legacy mining dumps. These efforts reflect a larger ambition. “We’re not just shifting metal. We’re finding value in places others overlook. And we’re always asking how we can do it cleaner, smarter, and more sustainably?” says Maguire. Thirty years in, it’s clear that Cronimet is not standing still. It is evolving with purpose. What is the Circular Economy? The circular economy is an economic model that prioritises reuse, recycling, and sustainability. Unlike the traditional linear system of take, make, and dispose, circularity aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible. In the stainless steel industry, this means using scrap instead of virgin materials, cutting emissions, and reducing energy consumption. Circular models help businesses become more resource-efficient while also reducing environmental impact.
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Issue 2 – 2025
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