Fair Trade or Foul Play? The Taxing Truth About Trade Tariffs
Posted: 09 April 2025
Based on a large number of enquiries and understandable concern from our members, Sassda Executive Director Michel Basson unpacks the impact of tariffs and trade barriers on South Africa’s stainless steel value chain. What’s clear is that with input costs rising, global competition intensifying, and local industries under pressure, an economic battle is underway, and the role of duties and protective measures is under scrutiny like never before…
Sassda calls for Urgent Action to Reindustrialise South Africa’s Economy
Posted: 11 February 2025
The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) is calling for urgent action to protect and grow the country's stainless steel industry, which is facing severe challenges due to increasing imports of finished stainless steel goods and declining local manufacturing. Writing in his annual ‘State of the Stainless Steel Nation’ column, Sassda Executive Director Michel Basson highlighted the urgent need for policy intervention and industrial revitalisation to prevent further job losses and economic stagnation.
SARS and Stainless Steel Industry strengthen ties in successful Training Session
Posted: 29 October 2024
In a groundbreaking step towards enhancing collaboration between the stainless-steel industry and the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Sassda has participated in a highly successful Metals Specialist Factory training session hosted by the South African Iron and Steel Institute (SAISI). The event, held at the IST offices in Pretoria West, aimed at addressing technical and operational challenges that industries face when dealing with SARS.
SASSDA Laser Welding Workshop heralds a New Era in South African Laser Welding Industry
Posted: 16 October 2024
The Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has hosted an enlightening Laser Welding Workshop at the South African Institute of Welding (SAIW) Campus in Johannesburg. The event brought together experts, industry professionals, and welding enthusiasts to explore the cutting-edge advancements in laser welding technology. Through insightful presentations and hands-on demonstrations, the workshop highlighted how laser welding is set to revolutionise industries ranging from manufacturing to aerospace.
2024 SASSDA & COLUMBUS STAINLESS AWARDS CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN STAINLESS STEEL INDUSTRY
Posted: 20 September 2024
The 2024 Sassda & Columbus Stainless Awards Gala Dinner was held last night, marking a significant showcase of innovation, sustainability, and excellence within South Africa’s stainless steel sector. Attended by 200 industry professionals, including manufacturers, suppliers, fabricators and designers, the event heralded the return of these prestigious awards after a five year hiatus.
SASSDA Webinar illuminates path for Manufacturers amidst SA’S Power Crisis
Posted: 08 May 2024
In response to the ongoing power challenges plaguing South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) recently hosted a webinar presented by renewable energy project management specialist Savannha Moon. This saw Director Eric Levy share viable solutions that prioritise quality, reliability, and financial savvy in adopting solar energy solutions.
During the webinar Levy elaborated; “The energy sector is quickly evolving to meet industry needs amidst growing regulatory challenges. To ensure long-term sustainability and safety, it is crucial to focus on high-quality components, especially batteries and inverters, as the market is flooded with varying qualities and standards.”
It’s time to move away from the global plastic addiction to SUSTAINABLE STAINLESS
Posted: 28 March 2024
Given that the theme of Sassda’s 60th Anniversary is celebrating sustainability Sassda is proud to be associated with World Stainless which is championing the message that stainless steel is a viable alternative to plastic.
Choosing stainless steel for an application ensures that it will be produced responsibly, with an extremely low life-cycle inventory (also known as the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions profile). Furthermore, stainless steel products have low, or close to zero, maintenance costs during their long life, and stainless steel can be reused indefinitely because they are easy to recycle without any loss of quality or material integrity.
SASSDA revives sought after Awards in Celebration of its 60th Anniversary
Posted: 14 March 2024
As Sassda proudly celebrates its 60th Anniversary in 2024, it has also announced the highly anticipated return of the Sassda & Columbus Stainless Steel Awards supported by title sponsor Columbus Stainless and category sponsors Euro Steel, Macsteel and NDE.
Centred around the theme, ‘Sustainability: A Legacy of Brilliance’ the awards will take place on 19th September 2024 and will honour the enduring strength and durability of stainless steel, while recognising the resilience of the local stainless steel industry in navigating the current challenges it faces.
More education initiatives needed in local industry
Posted: 27 October 2023
Education and skills development remain indispensable for the South African stainless steel industry, however, the training and development of productive and skilled staff has become a “major stumbling block” to the growth of the industry, says Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) executive director Michel Basson.
While there was a high enrolment of students in Sassda’s training programmes from 2020 to 2022, owing to online classes being more accessible, there was a decline in uptake throughout 2023.
SASSDA strives to unlock the power of local stainless steel
Posted: 27 October 2023
The use of local stainless steel is crucial to driving demand and the subsequent beneficiation of this highly prized metal but work still needs to be done to cement the correct specifications of South African stainless steel components in key strategic projects.
This is the view of the Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) which together with the local demand-creating structures of the Steel Master Plan (SMP) has identified and placed a focus on the following projects that can positively impact the local conversion of stainless steel.
Source Engineering News
Stainless Steel sector fights for right to supply Local Parastatal Projects
Posted: 18 September 2023
The use of local stainless steel is crucial to driving demand and the subsequent beneficiation of this highly prized metal, but work still needs to be done to cement the correct specifications of South African stainless steel components in key strategic projects, states the Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda).
Source Engineering News
Sassda questions why SA stainless steel not first choice for local projects
Posted: 07 March 2023
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.
Six-month ban imposed on export of copper scrap as South Africa seeks to combat theft
Posted: 30 November 2022
The South African government has imposed a six-month ban on the export of copper and copper-alloy scrap, as well as most ferrous scrap as part of the first phase of a three-phase intervention designed to combat the rampant theft of metals used in public infrastructure.
Source Engineering News
Stainless steel industry remains resilient amid post-Covid recovery
Posted: 28 October 2022
The levels of local stainless steel consumption have been declining for the past eight years, however, the industry remains buoyant after having seemingly recovered from the effects of the pandemic, says Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) acting executive director Michael Basson.
Source Engineering News
New policy to ensure industry sustainability
Posted: 28 October 2022
In designing the Steel Master Plan (SMP), it is imperative to build consensus on a policy that can aid the creation of a competitive, dynamic and inclusive stainless steel industry, which can provide a stable platform for investment, growth and job creation, says Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) acting executive director Michel Basson.
Source Engineering News
Scrap export ban detrimental to sector
Posted: 28 October 2022
The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) supports the proposed legislation to stop the economic damage caused by metal theft and infrastructure destruction.
However, this could be detrimental to the stainless steel sector because all metal waste and scrap are subjected to the scrap export ban, says Sassda executive director Michel Basson.
Source Engineering News
Could Nickel price volatility herald a new era in Stainless Steel Innovation?
Posted: 30 May 2022
One of the key components of stainless steel is nickel, which has recently felt the severe knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine. This is because Russia is the world’s third-largest producer of nickel - a key ingredient in stainless steel and a major component in lithium-ion batteries.
Women's Economic Assembly Launch
Posted: 06 October 2021
On Wednesday, 6 October 2021 Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Lesley Squires championed the role of women in the future of the stainless steel industry during a speech at the launch of the Women's Economic Assembly (Watch on YouTube) . During the event she stated; There is a need to create an environment that is diverse and inclusive, and that is not based on gender, but rather on capabilities, skills, potential, value systems and having the right attitude and work ethic…There are also many opportunities in the downstream industries. Women can get involved in the manufacturing of stainless steel products, become wholesalers and distributors of stainless steel. The benefit of this, is that women will bring diversity and a new way of thinking to a traditionally male dominated industry.”
Click here to read the full speech Click here to view Video of Highlights from Sassda
Master plan set to boost local market
Posted: 05 July 2021
Speaking on the steel master plan, which is a blueprint for the industry to re-energise itself and expand production, the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) states that the broad structure demanded is in place and export councils are now working to boost the local stainless steel sector.
Source Engineering News
Government and Stakeholders Sign Master Plan for the Steel and Metal Fabrication Sector
Posted : 21 June 2021
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, along with industry stakeholders from the steel and metal fabrication sector signed a Master Plan for the sector on Friday 11 June 2021.
The Master Plan, which has been developed in consultation with all stakeholders from the industry – including primary steel producers, downstream steel players, met fabricators, and organised labour – provides a blueprint for the industry to re-energise itself and expand production.
Stainless steel industry shows brighter future
Posted: 28 May 2021
The stainless steel market is still under pressure following years of economic decline in South Africa’s economy. This was exacerbated by Covid-19 and the measures that government imposed to reduce infections, says Africa-based stainless steel mill Columbus Stainless.
Source Engineering News
The Steel Master Plan
Posted: April 17, 2020
At this difficult and unprecedented stage in the history of the world, our country and industry; Sassda is working with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) as major partner to alleviate pressure in, and create positive outcomes for, the stainless steel sector. We are therefore committed to keep you up to date with the latest news regarding new developments.
Stainless Hotspots for Growth
Posted: April 17, 2020
As part of the latest phase of the Steel Master Plan development, the Department of Trade Industry & Commerce is investigating proposals from industry including ourselves regarding initiatives to kick start industry. Sassda has therefore supplied proposals around the gas field developments in Mozambique and increased domestic LPG/LNG gas use in South Africa as well as import replacements, the rejuvenation of the local hollowware sector and the wine tank industry
Local Value Chain
Posted: March 25, 2020
Despite the challenges we face, this is also South Africa’s time to shine as we focus on beefing up local supply chains or as we like to describe them, value chains and championing the country’s output and expertise, especially in the stainless steel sector.
Why Training & Development makes Perfect Business Sense
Posted: February 29, 2020
Sassda has several stainless steel focused courses that are targeted at various levels of a company’s employee complement. Here Sassda Training Manager Mankabe More unpacks the realities of modern day training and how Sassda is meeting these needs in an expert and innovative manner by embracing the concept of continuous training and the use of digital technologies that have made the association’s world-class courses far more accessible and cost effective.
Sassda Launches New Look Advanced Course
Posted: November 1, 2019
In keeping with our mission to take our education and training courses to the next level, in line with our new look 2020 membership structure, Sassda has launched a revamped 3-day Stainless Steel Advanced Course.
Let’s Talk about Tariffs…
Posted: November 1, 2019
When it comes to the minefield of trade tariffs, Sassda is not a policy creator or implementer but rather acts as an invaluable conduit and facilitator based on its strong relationships with the relevant government bodies, to ensure all our members’ interests are equitably represented in an independent and objective manner. Tariffs expert and Sassda Market Intelligence Specialist Lesley Squires explains how this complex relationship works.
Economic Policy Dialogue African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Posted: November 1, 2019
23rd October 2019 Program Director: Eustace Mashimbye – CEO Proudly SA Speaker: Ambassador Xavier Carim, DDG International Trade and Economic Development, the Dti The purpose of the AfCFTA is to enhance intra-Africa trade and investment. It was formalised by the OAU in 1980 at the Lagos plan of action. Tariffs are not the only constraint