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Materials & Equipment News

Afrimat, Hemporium build world’s tallest hemp-product building

By: Irma Venter 4th July 2022 In a global first, 84 Harrington Street is the world’s tallest building being constructed using hempcrete blocks and hemp building materials, says the partnership between two Cape Town-based companies, Hemporium and Afrimat Hemp. The joint venture believes the project is “setting the benchmark on... →

PPC reports no changes to full-year results

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 4th July 2022 JSE-listed PPC’s audited consolidated financial statements and its own financial statements for the year ended March 31, together with the unmodified audit report of the independent auditor, Deloitte & Touche, have been published, and do not contain any modifications to the reviewed condensed... →

More schools means more infrastructure needed

1st July 2022 The Kenyan government’s plan to construct an additional 10 000 classrooms to accommodate an expected surge in student numbers once learners’ transition from primary to junior secondary schools under the Competency-Based Curriculum is welcome and necessary. However, the transition will require... →

A large round drum used as a peptic tank made of Weholite ready for delivery to Kenya's new school projects

SANITATION SUCCESS In order for sanitation works of this magnitude Megapipe suggests the projects use its Weholite HDPE technology

Pump and hose flotation devices on offer

1st July 2022 Specialist pumps supplier Integrated Pump Rentals (IPR) says it carries a comprehensive range of pump flotation devices (PFD) and hose flotation devices (HFD) which are available for either purchase or hire. IPR operations manager Henru Strydom explains that a PFD is used to suspend the pump... →

FLOATING AWAY HFDs are used to suspend hoses during pumping applications where either pontoons or barges are used

Best practices for small businesses

1st July 2022 Experienced engineers are crucial in such a critical and technically-minded sector as engineering, and it is consequently not surprising that the industry players place a premium on the employment of those who have the years under their belts, says engineering firm Zimile Consulting Engineers CEO... →

Pipe supply proves manufacturer’s metal

By: Halima Frost 1st July 2022 Steel and tube supplier Stewarts & Lloyds Pipes & Fittings have successfully delivered over 1.4 km of pipe to a project in Tshwane – cementing its position as a leading pipe supplier in Africa. The project entailed the supply of about 70 pipes of 800 nominal bore (NB) in lengths of 12.19 m, with... →

A number of 12-meter-long blue water pipes on a truck set for delivery at a water works

TRUE BLUE The water pipes for a 1.4 km project have been delivered to site by Stewarts & Lloyds

Manufacturer now offers new stainless steel braided hose

1st July 2022 Earlier this year, industrial hose specialist Truco announced it had started manufacturing stainless steel braided hose at its Chamdor campus in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Initial capabilities are for hose assemblies from 6 mm to 25 cm in diameter. →

A reel of stainless steel braided hose which is impervious to fire chemicals and pressure

STEELING THE SHOW The new sheet braided hose offered by Truco is ideal for use across a range of industries

Association stresses quality control is imperative

1st July 2022 As part of its continuous education process, Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (Sappma) continues to enlighten design engineers, contractors and all users of plastic pipe of the critical importance of getting the highest quality of polymers in the products they specify or... →

A bunch of blue plastic pipes which have a light shining thorug them form back to front

SHINING LIGHT Sappma continues to shine a light on the need for quality products and materials to its members

Consulting engineering sector faces skills depletion

By: Mandisa Nyathi 1st July 2022 The Covid-19 pandemic has led to increased retrenchments and job losses in the consulting engineering industry, which, in turn, has led to a skills drain in the sector, temporary works consultant Waco Engineering Services MD Otto Botha says. →

OTTO BOTHA Government projects are important because engineers gain the required skills and create job opportunities for community members, adding that the Sanral’s decision to cancel R17.47-billion in tenders will lead to delays in executing projects

South Africa imported record volumes of steel in 2021, new report shows

By: Terence Creamer 29th June 2022 At close to 1.7-million tonnes, South Africa imported record volumes of primary steel in 2021, constituting about one-third of all steel used in the country, a new Steel Report published by the South African Iron and Steel Institute (SAISI) confirms. The report, which is the inaugural edition of... →

UK to consult with WTO members on tariffs protecting steel

By: Bloomberg 27th June 2022 The UK government said it will consult with other countries at the World Trade Organization on its plan to extend steel tariffs, after prime minister Boris Johnson said it was “reasonable” to use them to protect Britain’s domestic industry. “No decision has yet been taken,” Johnson’s spokesman... →

PPC pays down R1.2bn in debt on the back of strong cash generation

By: Marleny Arnoldi 27th June 2022 JSE-listed cement manufacturer PPC has posted a 19% year-on-year improvement in cash available from operations to R1.2-billion for the financial year ended March 31. Together with net proceeds from the sale of noncore assets, PPC was able to pay down R1.2-billion of its debt in the year under... →

PPC CEO Roland van Wijnen

Sephaku reports higher profit, warns of industry headwinds

By: Schalk Burger 24th June 2022 JSE-listed building and construction materials company Sephaku Holdings said its subsidiaries Métier and SepCem increased their net profit by double digits during the group’s financial year to March 31, mainly owing to improved revenues and lower finance expenses, Sephaku CEO Neil... →

Industry body assures job security for welders

By: Halima Frost 24th June 2022 Despite a marked increase in the uptake of robotic welding systems, owing to Covid-19 and the fast-tracking of automation, artisanal welding will never be completely replaced, says Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) Certification CEO Herman Potgieter. “The Covid-19 pandemic has played a... →

A man in a ditch welding a water pipe out in the open, which would be inaccessible to a robotic welder

Southern African Institute of Welding Certifications CEO Herman Potgieter discusses the uptake of technology in the welding sector.

Pipe welding work completed

24th June 2022 A successful example of technical solutions provider BMG Fluid Power team’s ability to carry out on-site welding during the installation and replacement of piping, plate work, stainless steel and other components has been highlighted during the installation of pipework over a 48-hour shift shut... →

A Jasic branded welding machine with a Jasic welding mask being used by a BMG welder with sparks flying

WONDER WELD BMG’s range of Jasic welding equipment was the preferred brand for on site welding at a pipework installation

Compact grinding and polishing system launched

24th June 2022 Having realised that consumers want smaller packaging units and functional sets containing components that are designed to work in harmony with one another, cutting and grinding solutions manufacturer PFERD has scaled down the packaging unit for its popular COMBICLICK system. “It’s like all the... →

A small cutting disk on an angle grinding a piece of steel with sparks flying to the side

COMPACT GRINDER The smaller packages for PFERD's COMBICLICK system are now available

Afrimat Construction Index shows first quarter decline

By: Irma Venter 23rd June 2022 Although the Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) has marginally outperformed South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate during the first quarter of 2022 on a year-on-year basis, the index has returned to a trend of declining between each year’s fourth quarter and the first quarter of... →

Industry body initiatives boost research, skills building

By: Cameron Mackay 17th June 2022 Since the launch of the Cement & Concrete South Africa (CCSA) last year, the organisation has hosted a range of educational and concrete research and development initiatives to promote research, and improve skills and education, in the cement and concrete industry. The first of these CCSA... →

Image of CCSA business development manager Hanlie Turner

HANLIE TURNER An added benefit to this year’s awards is that CCSA is an international partner of the American Concrete Institute, who also have an awards scheme

Industry body stresses need for import protection

By: Cameron Mackay 17th June 2022 Construction industry body Cement & Concrete South Africa (CCSA) is interacting with government to legislate anti-import dumping tariffs and protection for local cement materials and products. “We have capacity to produce around 22-million tons of cement a year, and we are producing only about... →

BRYAN PERRIE The cement industry is a large employer locally. If the industry suffers and cement plants close, it can have a severe knock-on effect on communities

New cement production capacity in Africa might be preferable to high transport costs

By: Darren Parker 10th June 2022 The rapidly rising cost of transport means that adding additional cement production capacity in Africa might be worth considering going forward. Before the outbreak of Covid-19, a long-term decline in shipping costs and the relative price of imported cement, which was also expected to gradually... →

OpenSpace launches ‘Google Street View’ for construction projects

By: Irma Venter 10th June 2022 Stellenbosch-based Agile Business Technology (ABT) has partnered with US group OpenSpace to launch its 360° capture and artificial intelligence (AI) platform for construction projects in South Africa. By using the 360° images generated in OpenSpace to document an evolving jobsite, teams can... →

Jaco Barnard

Coating firm awarded corrosion prevention contract

10th June 2022 Last month, anti-corrosion coatings manufacturer Corrocoat announced it has been awarded a contract to protect 300 new pipe spools of various dimensions by a multinational energy client. The company say its Corroglass 600 series was the coating system selected for this project, as it offered the... →

A cross section of a metal pipe with two angles that was coated internally using a new technique offered by coatings company Corrocoat

CROSS OUT CORROSION A cross section of pipe that was successfully coated with Corrocoats Corroglass coating system

Online portal launched to guide clients

10th June 2022 Last month, protective powder coating and paint manufacturer AkzoNobel Powder Coatings launched a dedicated site to showcase its functional range of Resicoat powder coatings. AkzoNobel created the new dedicated microsite and resource centre for customers and specifiers of functional powder... →

A photo of the AzkoNobel head office taken from the bottom looking up

HOME PAGE AzkoNobel has launched a dedicated website to showcase its functional range of Resicoat powder coatings

S African coatings event well attended

By: Halima Frost 10th June 2022 This year’s Coatings for Africa 2022 conference, organised by global events organiser DMG Events, was held at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Gauteng, from May 4 to 6. The event was hosted by multinational coatings industry representatives The Coatings Group and supported by industry bodies... →

A man standing at a podium speaking on the topic of coatings and paint development at teh Coatings for Africa 2022 expo held in Sandton last month

HOT TOPIC The Coatings for Africa event was held in Sandton last month after a four year haitus

Cost-effective electrical termination solutions for construction industry

10th June 2022 Industrial products and adhesives manufacturer Pratley offers a range of cost-effective electrical solutions available to assist contractors in a recovering construction industry. “It is important that one does not compromise on quality in favour of cost, which is especially important when it... →

a black electrical junction box made of tough, corrosion-resistant engineering plastic by Pratley

CANT CORRODE Pratley's range of junction boxes and cable glands are made of tough, corrosion-resistant engineering plastic

De Lille welcomes European Investment Bank cash injection into Biovac

By: Sane Dhlamini 8th June 2022 Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille has welcomed the European Investment Bank’s (EIB’s) injection of €175-million to South Africa’s specialist human vaccine manufacturer Biovac. The pledge is in close cooperation with the European Union’s (EU’s) injection of €175-million... →

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille

PPC to embrace alternative building technologies

By: Darren Parker 8th June 2022 Cement producer PPC has taken the strategic decision to embrace alternative building technologies rather than oppose them, PPC South Africa MD Njombu Lekula has said. Speaking at the Smart African Cities Summit held in Midrand on June 8, he said the company had set up a new department to... →

Wacker Neuson launches new training academy, as it celebrates fortieth anniversary in Africa

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 3rd June 2022 Construction machines and equipment, spare parts and services provider Wacker Neuson has celebrated its fortieth anniversary in Africa with the launch of a new training academy at its facility in Florida, Johannesburg. This milestone also comes in a year that saw the company achieve its best... →

The Wacker Neuson training acadamey

Tech company commissioned to run upgrades in UAE

3rd June 2022 Global technology company ABB has installed ABB Ability System 800xA, called the market-leading distributed control system (DCS) automation platform, to upgrade three grinding units at Star Super Cement in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), →

Company performs complex breakdown repair on rotor

3rd June 2022 Electro-mechanical services and repairs company Marthinusen & Coutts (M&C) recently performed comprehensive repairs to the rotor of an aging 30 MW generator which had failed during operation at JSE-listed forest group Sappi’s Saiccor pulp mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal. →

MECHANICAL REBUILD Generator rotor undergoing dimensional checks in M&C mechanical rebuild

Brikor posts net loss as bricks revenue rises but coal revenue falls

By: Schalk Burger 27th May 2022 JSE-listed bricks manufacturer and coal supplier Brikor, for the financial year ended February 28, reported the highest revenue in five years in its bricks segment, at R195.1-million. That represents a 34.6% year-on-year increase in revenue for the bricks segment. →

Versatile bolted column connections in demand

By: Tracy Hancock 27th May 2022 Construction products and solutions specialist Peikko South Africa’s bolted column connections are helping to fast-track the development of a large residential project in Ferndale, Gauteng. The development involves the construction of a seven-storey building consisting of 204 apartments, says... →

DANIEL PETROV Everyone is looking to optimise their designs and find new methods that can reduce costs and add value, considering the globally depressed construction market

Barloworld to buy back 10% of its shares

By: Darren Parker 26th May 2022 JSE-listed industrial brand management company Barloworld has announced that it will buy back up to 10% of its issued ordinary share capital through a repurchase programme. The board said on May 26 that it was responsible for capital allocation and continuously monitored opportunities to enhance... →

Macsteel set to break a world record for roofing solution

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 25th May 2022 Steel and value-added steel products merchandiser and distributor Macsteel, in partnership with Tate & Nicholson, Fortress, Pick n Pay and Wilson Bayley Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO), has applied pioneering sky forming technology to break the world record for the longest roof span covered by a single metal... →

The roof being installed at Pick n Pay's new warehouse in Kempton Park, Gauteng

Construction materials miners ready to assist in rebuilding flood-hit KZN infrastructure

By: Donna Slater 24th May 2022 Aspasa, formerly known as the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of South Africa, reports that miners of building material commodities are standing ready to assist the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government and construction firms to repair roads and essential infrastructure that was damaged in... →

Aspasa director Nico Pienaar

Need for fire-related event realised

By: Halima Frost 20th May 2022 Event organisers Specialised Exhibitions’ inaugural Firexpo South Africa 2022 will highlight the services and products of local suppliers in the fire prevention and protection sector to visitors. The event will be hosted from May 31 to June 2 at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand, Gauteng. →

A picture of two gentlemen shaking hands at a branded stand at an event hosted by event organizer Specialised Exhibitions

FACE TIME The inaugural FireExpo 2022 will be held at the Gallagher Convention Centre and is one of the first in person expo's being held in over two years

Growing demand for fire solutions in food industry

By: Halima Frost 20th May 2022 Fire risk management company ASP Fire has noted a steady increase in its percentage of food industry-related revenue, owing to the insurance industry placing stricter fire safety requirements on clients. The increase in revenue has also been driven because of word-of-mouth referrals and ASP... →

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