South Africa's steel industry 2010

• Publication date: November 2010

The financial crisis that began in 2008 caused the global economy to continue to weaken in the first half of 2009, most notably in industrialised countries. Indications of a recovery appeared in the second half of the year, owing in part to economic stimulus measures. However, global crude steel production was down for the second year running. Steel production in the 66 countries that report to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) amou...

The financial crisis that began in 2008 caused the global economy to continue to weaken in the first half of 2009, most notably in industrialised countries. Indications of a recovery appeared in the second half of the year, owing in part to economic stimulus measures. However, global crude steel production was down for the second year running.

Steel production in the 66 countries that report to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) amounted to 1,22-billion tons in 2009, an 8% decline on the 2008 figure and the lowest level since 2005. This was the result of the worldwide economic slowdown. In 2009, South Africa was ranked nineteenth by worldsteel in terms of global crude steel production. The country is also the largest steel producer in Africa, accounting for more than half the continent’s total crude steel production. South Africa boasts five primary carbon steel producers, namely ArcelorMittal South Africa, Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium, Scaw Metals, Cape Gate and Cape Town Iron & Steel Works. The country has one primary stainless steel producer, Columbus Stainless.
Like other sectors of the economy, the steelmaking industry is recovering from the worldwide crisis of 2008 and 2009, but the greatest threat to the industry’s recovery is the proposed increase of more than 30% a year for the next three years in the electricity price. This will not only have a significant impact on the cost of producing steel, but will also affect the production costs of manufacturers of fabricated steel products and the cash flow and consumption of the end-user.

Metal Manufacturing Industry in South Africa

List of abbreviations 1
Key developments 1
Global market 2–8
Major producing countries
Major steel-producing companies
Iron-ore supply to the steel industry
Stainless steel
Consumption
The South African market 9–13
Production
Products
Iron-ore supply to the steel industry
Employment
Consumption
Trade
Price fixing Primary carbon steel producers in South Africa 17–21
ArcelorMittal South Africa
Operations
Vanderbijlpark
Saldanha
Newcastle
Vereeniging
ArcelorMittal Coke & Chemicals
Capital projects
Environment
Evraz Highveld Steel & Vanadium
Operations
Iron and steelworks
Mapochs mine
Scaw Metals
Operations
Rolled products
Grinding media
Cast products
Wire rod products
Scrap processing
Cape Gate
Operations
Davsteel
Sharon Wire Mill
Orenwire
Cape Town Iron & Steel Works
Operations
Stainless steel producers in South Africa
Columbus Stainless
Main sources 23

Steel in South Africa

South Africa Iron And Steel, Exports, Us$mn

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1995 To 2017
By Business Monitor International
Source: UNCTAD

• Industries : Metal Mining
• Countries : South Africa

South Africa Iron And Steel, Imports, Us$mn

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1995 To 2017
By Business Monitor International
Source: UNCTAD

• Industries : Metal Mining
• Countries : South Africa

South Africa Iron And Steel, Exports, % Y-o-y

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1996 To 2017
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI calculation

• Industries : Metal Mining
• Countries : South Africa

South Africa Iron And Steel, Imports, % Y-o-y

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 1996 To 2017
By Business Monitor International
Source: BMI calculation

• Industries : Metal Mining
• Countries : South Africa

South Africa Crude Steel Production, Us$mn

• $ 250
• Industry data
• February 2013

Yearly, From 2005 To 2010
By Business Monitor International
Source: ISSB, World Steel Association, BMI

• Industries : Metal Mining
• Countries : South Africa