THE BEST OF THE GPS E-NEWSLETTER
Each month Sassda rounds up a selection of global and local market intelligence articles that are sent to our members in an easy-to-read package of content. They’re designed to highlight pockets of potential growth in demand for stainless steel. Here are some of the best articles from the last few issues...
Anglo to cut ties with Amplats, De Beers in historic restructure
Anglo American has announced a radical restructure - its most far-reaching in decades - in which it would demerge its 79% owned Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and sell or demerge De Beers, the diamond mining entity with which it has been linked for over a century. It also proposes the sale of its steelmaking coal assets and the closure or sale of its nickel operations leaving behind a simpler structure consisting of copper, iron ore (including Kumba Iron Ore in South Africa) and its crop nutrient project Woodsmith....
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Tshwane Automotive City takes shape, unlocks billions in investments
Development of the multi-billion-rand Tshwane Automotive City (TAC) is gaining momentum following the installation of bulk infrastructure at its centre and the commencement of the 700 000 square meter Rosslyn Hub mixed-use development. A key aspect of this economic hub is a joint venture between China-based Yanfeng and French company Plastic Omnium resulting in a R670-Milion investment in a new 26 000 square meter factory…
R40M required to kickstart captured Atlantis SEZ rail line
The Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is still aiming to restart its rail service. This follows the SEZ rail link with the Port of Cape Town being severed in 2018. This took place near Montague Gardens, when the rail line was invaded, forcing operations to stop. The Atlanta SEZ, which has a 43km long rail link to the Port of Cape Town, is setting itself up as a green energy hub and sees the restarting of the rail service as a development that could boost this industry…
Private sector dominates investment in South Africa
The private sector is continuing to carry the lion’s share of capital investment in South Africa, increasing its spending on infrastructure, software, research and development investments. This comes as public corporations (SOEs) spend on infrastructure continues to fall. This according to Investec Chief Economist Annabel Bishop who said that “the private sector continues to drive capital investment in South Africa, contributing over 70% to growth in fixed investment…
Historic wage agreement reached in metals and engineering sector
A landmark three year wage agreement has been signed between Seifsa, representing many employers in the metals and engineering sector, and Numsa, the largest trade union in the industry. The agreement, hailed as a testament to the commitment of social partners, was reached in record time and without any industry disruption. This agreement sets out pay rises based on the lowest planned rates of pay for the next three years
Astron Energy, BP, and Engen announce big plans for South Africa
Astron Energy, BP, and Engen announced their plan to invest significantly in their domestic operations. This comes after news broke that rival fuel franchise Shell is exiting South Africa and selling its 600-plus forecourts and service stations. Astron Energy is one of the newer players in the fuel game, having taken over Caltex’s local infrastructure in August 2022. With over 800 retail sites, a blending plant in Durban, and a refinery in Milnerton, it is one of the few industry participants that is currently refining its fuel instead of relying on imports – an area in which it sees plenty of potential…
Volkswagen announces R4-Billion Kariega plant investment
Volkswagen Group Africa has announced a R4-Billion investment in its manufacturing plant in Kariega, in the Easter Cape. The investment will be used to upgrade facilities in various areas in preparation for the addition of a third car model to its production line-up from 2027. Most of the R4-Billion investment will be allocated to capital expenditure for production facilities, manufacturing tooling, local content tooling and quality assurance…
Green energy presenting South Africa with massive reindustrialisation chance
Green electrons and green molecules are presenting South Africa with a massive opportunity to reindustrialise, Nedbank CIB Head of Infrastructure, Energy and Telecommunications Mike Peo told the Green Hydrogen Roundtable. “We have an opportunity for South Africa to completely reindustrialise, to start building up our industrial base that we have lost over the last ten to 15 years,” was Peo’s message at the event addressed by the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority CEO Yershen Pillay, as well as by Higher Education and Training Department Deputy Director General Zukile Mvalo...
Industrial sectors at a turning point
The industrial sectors in South, East and West Africa urgently need to transform their ageing infrastructure and systems to remain competitive and contribute to addressing the continent’s unique infrastructural and service-related challenges. This was the view of IS3 MD Dion Govender speaking at the opening of the 30th XChange Conference where he stated that the industrial community plays a significant role in facing and addressing these challenges...
SA agricultural sector receives boost with new avocado oil plant
Mpumalanga is celebrating the inauguration of Cultivate Trading’s avocado oil production facility in White River, just outside Mbombela. This state-of-the-art plant is poised to revolutionise the local avocado market by providing farmers with an alternative avenue for their produce. Specifically targeting avocados that are not market-grade due to hail damage or other defects, the plant offers a solution to what was previously a loss for farmers...
Sudden container crunch sends ocean freight rates soaring, setting off global trade alarm bells
A perfect storm in global trade is creating a shipping container capacity crunch, fueling a sudden and surprising spike in ocean freight rates. The beginning of peak shipping season, coupled with the longer transits to avoid the Red Sea, and bad weather in Asia, have hit the flow of trade on key routes. Ocean carriers are skipping ports or decreasing their time at port, and not picking up empty containers, to keep vessels on track for delivery...