The Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) has announced the winners of its Stainless Steel Awards after a five-year hiatus, with ND Engineering having been awarded the overall winner title owing to its consistent excellence across multiple categories.

The South African company was lauded for setting industry benchmarks in innovation, sustainability and customer value creation.

The award winners were announced during a gala dinner on September 19, which was attended by more than 200 industry professionals, including manufacturers, suppliers, fabricators and designers.

The awards celebrate 60 years of stainless steel excellence in South Africa, honouring individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to the industry.

“We are proud to not only honour the companies and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the stainless steel industry, but also highlight the crucial role our industry plays in supporting people, the planet and the South African economy,” says Sassda executive director Michel Basson.

The sustainability award went to Eco Clarity, which uses technology to recover fats, oils and grease from food service establishments and convert the waste into biodiesel using stainless steel components. The runner-up in this category was Mpumatech, which was recognised for its sustainable solution in mining that replaces corroding mild steel split sets.

The special merit award was handed to Venter Consulting, which manufactures closed vane impellers.

The duplex stainless steel award winner was ND Engineering, which conducted work on a multipurpose pulp tank for paper manufacturer Sappi at its Ngodwana site. The project showcased the benefits of duplex stainless steel in production efficiency. ND Engineering was also the runner-up in the same category for its use of duplex stainless steel at another Sappi site, the Saiccor mill.

ND Engineering also won the business excellence award for its focus on creating customer value through innovation and leadership in the stainless steel industry, with the runner-up for this award being Anderson Engineering.

Mpumatech won the ferritic stainless steel award for its stainless steel split sets in underground mining, with Guardiar was named the runner-up in this category with its use of ferritic stainless steel to reduce complexity and environmental impact.

The export achievement award went to Ener-G-Africa for its advanced biomass stove and other technology that provides sustainable energy solutions to many people in sub-Saharan Africa. ND Engineering was the runner-up in this category.

The austenitic stainless steel award was presented to Fabrinox for its collaboration with Eco Clarity on a sustainable management system for fats, oils and grease waste, with the runner-up, Vinco Steel, being recognised for its innovative handling of grapes in the wine industry.

Sakkie Nel received the lifetime achievement award for his decades-long contribution to the stainless steel sector.

Sassda chairperson Bertus Griesel says the industry is headed towards an exciting future filled with new challenges and opportunities, and that innovation and commitment to excellence would continue guiding the industry going forward.