3CR12 STRUCTURAL SECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE IN SOUTH A
Johannesburg - Tuesday September 25, 2001
The most specified of the so-called utility ferritic stainless steel in the
world, 3CR12, is now being manufactured and marketed in long product form in
South Africa. This is a world first and the export of 3CR12 long products
could generate considerable foreign exchange earnings for the country.
Trident Midrand Steel, which is part of Aveng Limited, the listed
construction-related group, will be marketing the products in a co-operative
initiative Trident Midrand Steel established with stainless steel producer
Columbus Stainless and Iscor Long Products.
3CR12, a low-grade stainless steel which was developed by Columbus in the
early 1970s, has found many applications and competes with such products as
galvanised or painted carbon steels in marine and corrosive industrial
environments. Iscor is now manufacturing 3CR12 in long products form across
its entire long product range at its Newcastle and Vereeniging plants under
the licence to Columbus.
Johan Delport, an executive director of Trident Midrand Steel, said: "The
development phase of the project has been some 18 months and has involved
Columbus transferring technology to Iscor and Iscor, in turn, adapting that
technology for the manufacture of long products. This co-operation has
resulted in some 1 000 tonnes of 3CR12 structural sections and reinforcing
bar being successfully produced to date, with production increasing each
month."
Mr Delport added that the key markets for the product are the structural and
civil engineering industries. Trident Midrand Steel, which will market and
distribute the new product, has invested some R25-million in buildings,
downstream processing facilities (that include stainless steel shot blasting
and passivating), and a comprehensive stock holding. The company has also
established sales outlets in Durban. Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
According to Mr Delport the product is a world first with considerable
export potential. "The advent of 3CR12 structural sections and reinforcing
offers design engineers, specifying bodies and authorities the opportunity
to design structures which will require minimum corrosion protection. This
in turn will reduce the maintenance of the structure over its life."
ends
ISSUED BY: PENELOPE GRACIE INVESTOR RELATIONS
ON BEHALF OF: AVENG LIMITED
FURTHER INFORMATION: ATHOL VICTOR, TRIDENT MIDRAND STEEL
CONTACT: OFFICE +27 (11) 874-7008
MOBILE 082-579-0843
Penelope Gracie Investor Relations
Tel: +27 (11) 447-3301
Fax: +27 (11) 447-3319
Mobile: 082-55-77-444
e-mail: penelope@pgir.co.za
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