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...
RENERGEN SWITCHES ON SA’S FIRST COMMERCIAL LNG PLANT
Renergen’s Virginia Gas Project in the Free State has begun operating, transitioning the company from an explorer to a producer of liquid hydrocarbons. Through the commencement of operations, Virginia becomes South Africa’s first commercial liquified natural gas (LNG) plant, with helium production to follow as the project ramps up. Renergen will now focus on ramping-up operations over the coming months to full Phase 1 capacity which will assist its commercial customers to substitute diesel in trucks for gas, reducing their carbon footprint….
SASOL PARTNERS WITH ARCELORMITTAL TO DEVELOP A GREEN HYDROGEN HUB IN SOUTH AFRICA
Sasol and ArcelorMittal South Africa have signed a joint development agreement to develop carbon capture technology to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals. The partnership includes plans to revitalise ArcelorMittal’s inoperative steel plant in Saldanha Bay to produce and export green steel manufactured without fossil fuels through green hydrogen and other processes…
PRIVATE PARTNERS SHORTLISTED FOR DURBAN AND NGQURA PORT UPGRADES
Transnet has reached a significant milestone in its programme to upgrade two of South Africa’s key ports, with the shortlisting of respondents for private sector participation in the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 (DCT2) and Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT). Transnet is repositioning Durban as a gateway hub port, and plans for significant growth in container capacity over the coming years…
SOUTH AFRICA CONCLUDES AGREEMENTS WORTH R270BN IN SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia and South Africa signed agreements and memorandums of understanding worth about $15-Billion (over R270-Billion) during a state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to Riyadh last month. Both countries agreed to explore investment sectors and opportunities in areas of common interest, especially renewable energy, industry, mining, tourism, logistics, and agriculture. The president also invited Saudi Arabian businesses to South Africa’s fifth investment conference in 2023…
KEY STAINLESS STEEL DEMAND SECTOR GEARS UP FOR INCREASED CONSUMPTION
The City of Cape Town has teamed up with the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership and industry business partners to launch a Food and Beverage Growth Coalition, aimed at boosting the development of the region’s food and beverage manufacturing sector and its exports. Food and beverages have always been one of the biggest sub-categories within Cape Town’s manufacturing industry, contributing 3.6% of Cape Town’s gross value add and 4.1% of its formal employment...
EARLY-STAGE ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY IN SOUTH AFRICA SURGES BY 62% IN WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC
Despite the difficult economic conditions that South Africa has endured over the past two years, the country is still managing to see a surge in entrepreneurial activity with many entrepreneurs reporting that they have identified new opportunities because of the pandemic. Yet the global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM) reveals that ease of access to finance remains a perceived barrier for the country’s entrepreneurs…
THE NIGERIAN STEEL PLANT THAT NEVER WAS
Nigeria has pumped more than $8-Billion into Ajaokuta Steel Company, a project which began more than 40 years ago but has yet to produce one tonne of steel. Several attempts have been made to bring the plant into production, but without success. It was built to 98% capacity by the Soviet Union’s Tyazpromoexport. But the lack of a rail line around the plant, and changes in political and operational management over the years, stymied completion…
LOCALISATION IS NOT A FREE LUNCH, BUT IT DOES LEVEL THE STEEL INDUSTRY PLAYING FIELD
Stats SA reports that writing in the DailyMaverick.co.za South African Iron and Steel Institute Secretary General Charles Dednam says localisation on its own can never drive industrialisation, and neither can import substitution, but a situation for fair trade should be created, clear of corruption and illicit import transactions…