Industry association Southern Africa Stainless Steel Association (Sassda) is set to mark its sixtieth anniversary with the return of the Sassda and Columbus Stainless Steel Awards. The Covid pandemic temporarily halted the biennial awards ceremony event, with the last event held in 2018.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 19, at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg, and is supported by stainless steel manufacturers and suppliers, including title sponsor Columbus Stainless and category sponsors EuroSteel, Macsteel and NDE.

Centred around the theme, ‘Sustainability: A Legacy of Brilliance,’ the awards aim to honour the enduring strength and durability of stainless steel while recognising the resilience of the local stainless steel industry amid current industry challenges.

“The world has undergone countless changes since our founding but through it all, Sassda has remained a pillar of support and innovation for the stainless steel industry, and we are therefore proud to host these sought-after awards,” Sassda executive director Michel Basson states.

He asserts that the awards ceremony is a vital opportunity to reflect on the resilience of its members and underscores the critical role stainless steel plays in shaping a sustainable future.

Basson adds that this year’s awards represent a “fresh new take on an old classic” given that the number of categories has been streamlined to eight along with the user-friendly digital entry mechanism.

The award categories include recognition for sustainability as well as innovation in duplex stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel and austenitic stainless steel.

Other categories include export achievement, business excellence, lifetime achievement and overall winner.

Entries for the awards are open to individuals and companies both local and abroad that participate in the design, production, conversion, distribution, and use or specification of stainless steel, with no requirement for Sassda membership.

Entries for the awards close on July 8, and will be adjudicated by an independent panel of judges drawn from recognised professionals, representing all sectors of industry.