PRESSURE, PURPOSE AND POSSIBILITY
Welcome to the second issue of Stainless Steel magazine for 2025. As we move further into a year already marked by both pressure and possibility, this edition brings together sharp insights and grounded optimism. Whether you’ve been with us since our relaunch in 2020 or are are reading our magazine for the first time, we hope you find this edition not only relevant but resonant.
There’s no sugar-coating it: the global trade environment is tightening, and South Africa is feeling the squeeze. This issue digs into the complexity of tariffs and trade barriers that have become front-page concerns. With the threat of new U.S. tariffs on key South African exports, including stainless steel components tied to the automotive and agricultural sectors, we’re no longer talking hypotheticals. We’re staring down decisions that affect jobs, market access, and the future of industrial investment.
At the same time, uncertainty still hangs over the ArcelorMittal long-products division. A state-backed intervention has bought some time and saved thousands of jobs for now, but the bigger questions remain unanswered. Many across the sector are holding off on major investment decisions, waiting for policy clarity and strategic direction.
And yet, in this tension lies opportunity. Europe has reaffirmed its support for South Africa, and regional markets across Africa present openings we’d be wise not to overlook. That’s why we’ve put Angola in focus for this issue’s African Country Profile. With AGOA on shaky ground and traditional markets increasingly complex, it’s time to get serious about intra-African trade, not just as a Plan B, but as a core part of our growth strategy.
In contrast to the big-picture trade stories, we also zoom in on what makes this industry adaptable: technical insight and material intelligence. Our article on stainless steel’s role in South Africa’s water infrastructure crisis is a case in point. With nearly half of the country’s water systems rated high or critical risk, there’s simply no room for short-term fixes. Stainless steel, with its durability and corrosion resistance, is more than just a smart choice - it’s a necessary one if we’re to build infrastructure that lasts.
And from the depths of the Dead Sea comes a lesson that challenges assumptions. Could mild steel ever outlast stainless in the right environment? It turns out, in oxygen-starved, high-salinity conditions, yes…sometimes. It’s a reminder that engineering excellence isn’t about defaulting to what’s familiar; it’s about knowing when, where, and why one solution works better than another.
Of course, no edition would be complete without celebrating the spirit that drives this sector forward. Our Passionate About Stainless feature continues to spotlight the people and projects shaping the industry’s future. And we bring you reflections from a successful Laser Welding Conference and an energised Cape Town Golf Day -proof that even in tough times, this industry shows up with strength and connection.
Michel Basson, Sassda Executive Director