sassda news
“Sassda has facilitated engagement between the
This engagement helps ensure that technology development responds to real manufacturing challenges and market needs. Industry associations can provide access to technical expertise, industry data, foundries, customers and wider stakeholder participation, helping identify practical interventions for localisation and improved competitiveness. The collaboration forms part of the CSIR’s Manufacturing Cluster’s strategy, which aims to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of South African manufacturing through localisation, industrial innovation and the development of high-value technologies that can be supported locally. The cluster brings together four capability areas: advanced materials and manufacturing; robotics and future production; photonics; and industrial sensors. Its capabilities include materials development and testing, metal processing, additive manufacturing, automation, digital manufacturing, sensing and monitoring. The CSIR’s priorities focuses on strategic sectors where localisation and industrial modernisation could make the greatest impact. These include automotive and new-energy mobility, rail, advanced materials and metals, aerospace and defence, medical devices, industrial machinery, and smart and sustainable manufacturing. Across these sectors, the focus is on strengthening local supply chains, developing future-ready skills and improving production.
From powder to industrial application The CSIR brings specialised expertise, research infrastructure and technology development capabilities to the initiative, including mechanical testing laboratories and specialised testing and manufacturing facilities. Its role is to help manufacturers address industrial challenges by developing and de-risking technologies, testing and validating materials and components, demonstrating solutions, and creating pathways for technology transfer. The cluster is also exploring opportunities for greater local processing, recycling and reuse of stainless steel including scrap utilisation, metal recycling, materials recovery, resource efficiency, waste reduction and energy-efficient manufacturing. In the powder project, off-specification material generated during processing could potentially be recovered and reused rather than disposed of. Scaling this and other localisation opportunities will depend on a clear market need, secure raw-material supply, appropriate industry partnerships, defined product specifications and applications, and a commercially viable approach to production. The CSIR aims to move more locally developed technologies beyond research and demonstration into industrial application. It says progress will be measured through technologies demonstrated, licensed or transferred to industry, joint technology development agreements, support for small, medium and micro enterprises, industrial adoption, and stronger use of the cluster’s technology platforms and facilities. For South Africa’s stainless-steel sector, local production of 316L powder offers a practical test of whether research capability can support new domestic supply and manufacturing opportunities. Its commercial success will depend on meeting industry requirements for quality, qualification, feedstock and cost, with collaboration helping to keep those needs in view as the technology develops. CSIR and several stainless steel industry players and foundries. The discussions are helping the CSIR build a better understanding of local foundry capabilities and identify opportunities to strengthen the sector.”
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Issue 4 – 2026
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