The South African Freight and Logistics Association (SAFLA) notes the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources’ confirmation of significant fuel price increases effective 1 April 2026, alongside short-term tax relief measures, announced with National Treasury.

On 31 March 2026, the Department confirmed sharp April fuel hikes driven by a surge in global oil prices and a weaker rand. The average Brent crude price rose from $69.08 to $93.67 over the review period, while the rand depreciated from R16.00 to R16.64 per US dollar. In response, government introduced a temporary R3.00/litre reduction in the general fuel levy from 1 April to 5 May 2026 as part of a joint relief package.

Even with this intervention, the April adjustments remain substantial: petrol increased by R3.06/litre, diesel (0.05%) by R7.37/litre, and diesel (0.005%) by R7.51/litre, with additional zone-level variation possible due to transport tariffs and octane differentials.

Using Department-published March wholesale pricing as a baseline, inland (Gauteng, Zone 9C) diesel 0.005% stood at R18.6023/litre as of 4 March 2026. Applying the national increase for scenario modelling suggests an implied April inland wholesale price of approximately R26.11/litre.

“These fuel movements are a loud and immediate reminder: when our corridors stall, the cost doesn’t just show up in delayed containers – it shows up in litres burned, in higher transport inflation, and in reduced competitiveness for South African trade,” SAFLA CEO Dave Logan said.

SAFLA reiterated its operator-led mandate to focus on measurable improvements at the “coalface” of trade: border delays, permit duplication and valuation disputes, with direct engagement planned with SARS, Transnet, the Border Management Authority and other controlling authorities impacting freight movement.

SAFLA called for accelerated, data-driven interventions at key corridors and ports to reduce dwell times and improve predictability – steps that can lower fuel burn and stabilise the cost of moving goods.

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For the road freight industry – the daily basic diesel cost rose by 32,5% today.

That’s an increase of 32,5% of a basic cost input that is between 35% and 55% – depending on the vehicle type used, routes used, congestion, working conditions and fuel consumption.

Whilst not being raised by R10 per litre – the R3 that is being “decreased in the fuel levy” definitely helps – but it will come back in some form or another.

Road freight operators are under immense pressure. There are no guarantees that clients will pay the new transport rates – and transporters are in the business of making money, not in the business of making a loss.

Access to cash reserves to pay for high fuel costs is every transporter’s worry – where to find the funding for day-to-day operations or guarantees with fuel suppliers.

Consumers will start feeling the pinch of high fuel prices within a couple of weeks – and fuller impact will filter through towards the end of April.

The spectre of further fuel increases remains a reality and threat to all operators.

By Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association

Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association

Website: www.rfa.co.za

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By Integrity NDT Projects

Across Africa’s petrochemical landscape, a quiet but significant shift is underway. Conversations that once focused almost exclusively on throughput and operational output are increasingly centred on a different question: how do we sustain the reliability of critical infrastructure that has already served the industry for decades?

For asset integrity managers, plant engineers, and inspection professionals, this challenge is becoming more pronounced each year. Many storage tanks across refineries, depots, and processing facilities were commissioned decades ago. While they were designed for long service life, they were not built with the advanced monitoring capabilities available today

The result is a growing operational reality: aging infrastructure operating in demanding environments where corrosion remains one of the most persistent threats to safety, reliability, and sustainability.

Corrosion, by its very nature, is subtle. It rarely appears as a dramatic failure event. Instead, it progresses slowly through mechanisms such as floor plate thinning, pitting, microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), and corrosion under insulation. Often, these processes remain undetected until conventional inspection intervals reveal deterioration that has already advanced beyond early stages.

For an industry that operates continuously and where downtime carries significant economic and environmental implications, this raises an important question: how do we improve visibility into asset health between inspection cycles?

Seeing Beyond Traditional Inspection

Historically, inspection programmes relied on periodic manual thickness measurements and scheduled internal tank inspections. While these methods remain essential, they offer only snapshot insights rather than a continuous understanding of asset condition.

This is where the evolution of advanced non-destructive testing technologies is changing the conversation.

Corrosion mapping, enabled by modern inspection tools, allows operators to visualise degradation patterns across entire surfaces rather than relying on isolated measurement points. Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), for example, enables high-resolution scanning of tank walls and floors, revealing corrosion trends and areas of accelerated degradation with remarkable clarity.

Similarly, Pulse Eddy Current (PEC) technology provides the ability to detect corrosion beneath insulation and coatings—an area historically difficult to assess without intrusive inspection methods. By enabling inspection without extensive insulation removal, PEC supports both operational efficiency and more frequent integrity monitoring.

For tank floor integrity assessments, Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) scanning plays a critical role in identifying corrosion-related metal loss across large areas, particularly during planned maintenance shutdowns.

At Integrity NDT, these technologies form the foundation of advanced inspection programmes developed through years of supporting petrochemical operators across complex industrial environments. Our teams routinely deploy PAUT, PEC and MFL as part of integrated corrosion mapping programmes, enabling asset owners to obtain a far more detailed understanding of degradation behaviour within aging storage infrastructure.

The objective is not simply to identify defects, but to provide the actionable integrity data that engineers and maintenance planners require to make informed decisions about repair strategies, inspection intervals and asset life extension.

Reliability as an Integrity Principle

As inspection technologies advance, another principle has emerged as equally important: reliability of response.

Petrochemical operations do not pause when integrity concerns arise. Inspection capability must therefore be available when facilities need it—not only during scheduled maintenance windows, but also when unexpected integrity questions surface.

For organisations operating critical infrastructure, access to experienced inspection teams and advanced diagnostic technologies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is becoming an essential part of risk management.

Integrity NDT has structured its operational model around this reality. Our focus on 24/7/365 inspection availability and reliability, combined with specialised expertise in advanced NDT methods, enables operators to access the insights they need when operational decisions cannot wait.

In practice, this means supporting everything from planned shutdown inspections to urgent condition assessments where rapid, accurate data can prevent costly disruptions.

The Next Phase of Asset Stewardship

As Africa’s petrochemical and energy sectors continue to mature, asset stewardship will play an increasingly central role in operational strategy. Facilities that combine advanced inspection technologies with responsive expertise and long-term integrity thinking will be best positioned to extend asset life while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

Corrosion mapping and advanced NDT methods are not simply inspection tools—they are part of a broader movement toward predictive, informed, and resilient asset management.

Across the industry, organisations are beginning to recognise that the most valuable insight often lies beneath the surface—waiting to be revealed through the right combination of technology, experience and engineering perspective.

For those responsible for safeguarding critical storage infrastructure, conversations around corrosion are evolving rapidly. And increasingly, these conversations are about visibility, foresight, and operational certainty.

It is a discussion the industry will continue to have as infrastructure ages and expectations rise. Those who engage with these developments early—embracing new technologies, better data, and more proactive integrity strategies — will ultimately shape the next chapter of petrochemical reliability.

The post Rethinking Tank Integrity: Why Corrosion Mapping is Reshaping Asset Reliability in the Petrochemical Sector appeared first on African Petrochemicals & Energy.

For over a century, thyssenkrupp Uhde has been synonymous with engineering excellence, pioneering chemical technologies that shape industries worldwide. In South Africa, that legacy is fused with 67 years of executing EPC projects with local insight, creating a powerhouse of innovation driving the continent’s industrial transition toward cleaner, more resilient futures.

From fertilizers and petrochemicals to green hydrogen and carbon capture, thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa is not just building plants — it is building possibilities. Nowhere is this more evident than in its recent award-winning project: the installation and integration of three 60 mt/h low-NOx boilers in a fully operational South African refinery.

Execution in a Live Refinery

Delivering complex construction in an operating refinery demands precise sequencing, integrated planning, and rigorous risk management. Every task — from isolations and tie-ins to lifting operations and commissioning — must be carefully coordinated, with potential hazards anticipated and mitigated.

This was the operational context for thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa during its boiler project: a highly congested brownfield installation where shutdown windows were extremely limited and operational continuity was critical.

Zero Tolerance in Safety

Safety was the heartbeat of the project. With HSSE, project management, and construction management working in unison, the team balanced operational continuity with accelerated deadlines imposed by the Air Quality Act. The result was a seamless integration of advanced low-emission technology into the refinery’s existing steam reticulation system.

Engineering Excellence Driving Constructability and Schedule

Seamless construction does not happen by chance — it is the result of engineering excellence. Multidisciplinary engineers who integrate constructability considerations early in the design phase enable safer, more efficient, and predictable execution. Their experience allows them to anticipate challenges and address potential issues before they arise.

By leveraging early constructability assessments, coordinated multidisciplinary engineering, and meticulous execution planning, the project was delivered safely, on schedule, without compromising current operations.

Modularisation: Innovation in Motion

At the heart of this success lay modularisation — a strategy that transformed risk into opportunity. By constructing a modular substation off-site, thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa reduced on-site hazards, compressed schedules, and elevated productivity.

This wasn’t modularisation as a buzzword; it was modularisation as a design philosophy. The company’s modularisation expertise spans mega-projects like the €1.2 billion MOL Polyol Project in Hungary to compact refinery modules in South Africa. With self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) navigating congested refinery corridors, thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa turned logistical challenges into triumphs, eliminating the need for towering cranes and costly rigging.

Logistics and Expediting: Global Reach, Local Precision

The boilers, manufactured in Europe, had to arrive on schedule to meet stringent environmental deadlines. Here, thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa’s global reach became a decisive advantage. End-to-end logistics management ensured that equipment crossed continents smoothly, while local teams coordinated material handling with precision once it reached South African soil.

It was a demonstration of what happens when global networks and local expertise converge: complexity dissolves, and excellence emerges.

Engineering, Tomorrow, Together

The successful installation of low-NOx boilers in a live South African refinery is more than an engineering milestone — it signals thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa’s unwavering dedication to advancing cleaner technologies, mastering complex environments, and delivering excellence under pressure.

As industries worldwide accelerate toward decarbonization and stricter environmental standards, thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa stands ready to lead. With its proven blend of global reach, local expertise, and a relentless focus on safety and sustainability, the company is not just building projects — it is engineering, tomorrow, together.

 www.uhde.co.za

The post thyssenkrupp Uhde South Africa — Low-Carbon Boiler Integration and Installation appeared first on African Petrochemicals & Energy.

As South African refineries continue to modernise ageing infrastructure to improve environmental compliance and operational reliability, the ability to execute complex boiler modifications within constrained outage windows has become increasingly important.

Babcock completed a fast-tracked industrial boiler upgrade project at a major South African refinery, supporting the facility’s broader programme to enhance plant performance and meet statutory emissions requirements. Despite the complexity created by overlapping project phases and a compressed delivery schedule, the project achieved mechanical completion and commissioning within the revised outage programme.

The project demonstrates Babcock’s capability to execute technically complex retrofit work within operating refinery environments while maintaining strong safety performance and schedule certainty.

Supporting refinery performance and environmental compliance

The upgrade formed part of the operator’s ongoing programme to improve plant reliability and environmental compliance through targeted infrastructure improvements.

The project required modification of an existing boiler to enable the full routing and treatment of the flue gas stream, ensuring compliance with statutory emission limits while improving plant utilisation.

According to Puvern Pillay, Project Manager at Babcock, the project represented a critical intervention to ensure both regulatory compliance and operational continuity within a live refinery environment.

“Execution had to take place where safety, schedule certainty and operational integration were critical, requiring close coordination across engineering, procurement and construction teams,” he explains.

Pillay led the project through engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning within this complex operating environment.

Managing complexity within a fast-tracked delivery model

The project was executed under a dual-contract structure, with detailed engineering awarded separately from procurement and construction. While commercially necessary, this created a fast-tracked execution environment in which engineering maturity, procurement placement and construction readiness progressed in parallel rather than sequentially.

“As a result, downstream activities were highly sensitive to design development, vendor inputs and approval cycles, introducing integration and delivery risks early in execution,” says Pillay.

To address this, the project team focused on stabilising execution across interfaces that were initially misaligned. This required a shift from discipline-based progress measurement towards integrated delivery planning, ensuring engineering outputs were continuously evaluated against procurement and construction readiness rather than measured in isolation.

Adaptive execution approach

As engineering progressed, several critical work packages experienced delays due to evolving validation requirements and extended approval processes. Rather than allowing these challenges to impact outage readiness, the project team implemented an adaptive execution approach focused on maintaining delivery momentum.

“Given the aggressive overlap between engineering, procurement and construction phases, we had to adopt an iterative execution approach that allowed solutions to be developed dynamically. Strong integration between engineering, project management and construction teams was central to this,” Pillay explains.

Construction sequencing was continuously reassessed, enabling progressive advancement of work fronts as materials became available. Piping, ducting and structural installations were executed in phases, while independent activities were accelerated to maintain productivity.

Coordination critical to delivery success

Close coordination between engineering, procurement, construction and subcontract teams played a key role in maintaining delivery certainty. Scenario planning and proactive risk management enabled the project team to maintain progress while preserving safety and quality standards within a congested refinery outage environment.

Stakeholder management also proved important. The evolving scope required disciplined change management while maintaining collaborative relationships with the client and operational teams.

By ensuring transparency in technical decision-making and aligning discussions with project outcomes, the team was able to manage scope growth without disrupting execution.

“Credit must go to the client for the collaborative approach adopted throughout execution. This was a critical success factor in a fast-tracked project where compressed timelines and parallel workstreams required rapid, joint decision-making,” says Pillay.

Successful project delivery

Despite early schedule pressures and execution complexity, the project achieved mechanical completion within the revised outage programme and progressed successfully through commissioning.

Safety performance remained a key focus throughout construction, with the project achieving:

• Zero Lost Time Injuries
•  Full compliance with refinery safety systems
•  Successful quality validation of all modifications

The outcome reflects disciplined planning, strong coordination and adaptive execution under challenging delivery conditions.

Lessons from fast-tracked EPC execution

According to Pillay, one of the key organisational learnings from the project relates to the importance of focused integration management.

“Projects executed under overlapping EPC structures require strong integration between engineering, procurement and construction planning from the outset,” he notes.

The project also reinforced the importance of aligning contracting strategies with execution realities and maintaining flexibility within delivery teams.

“Beyond the immediate delivery results, this work strengthened our organisational capability in managing fast-tracked delivery environments and reinforced the importance of tightly linking engineering maturity to downstream execution readiness,” he concludes.

Demonstrating refinery retrofit capability

The successful delivery of the project highlights Babcock’s capability in executing complex boiler modifications and retrofit work within live refinery environments.

The project reflects the company’s broader capability in supporting industrial customers through lifecycle asset support, performance upgrades and environmental compliance improvements.

Growing demand for brownfield execution expertise

As refineries and petrochemical operators continue to modernise infrastructure to meet environmental and operational requirements, demand is expected to grow for engineering partners capable of executing complex brownfield modifications within operating plants.

Projects of this nature demonstrate the importance of integrated engineering execution, strong planning discipline and collaborative delivery models in achieving successful outcomes.

For more information visit: www.babcock.co.za

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By Luthando Makiwane, Marketing Manager Industry Automation at Schneider Electric

Imagine a factory floor where humans and machines communicate in real time; issues flagged instantly, workflows adjusted seamlessly, and downtime reduced to near zero. This is not a scene from Sci-Fi but the reality unfolding across Africa as manufacturers embrace the next generation of intelligent signalling technologies.

We are seeing diverse industries like automotive plants and food-processing lines using smart tower lights and touch interfaces to improve how workers interact with machines.

Indeed, these systems are becoming essential tools for improving safety, enhancing efficiency, and building globally competitive African industries.

A lesson in history

But, like most things in life, we need to take one step back; signalling certainly has a storied history.  From the 1800s to the early 1900s, signalling was manual and included bells, whistles, flags and mechanical indicators – all used to coordinate workers and machines.

For the next forty years (1920-1960), factories had indicator lights, control lights and basic alarms, therefore, relay-based controls systems that allowed machines to automatically signal faults.

However, it was also during this time that we saw the birth of Andon, a visual alert system (typically stackable LED lights in a tower) used in manufacturing to signal problems, needs, or status changes on a production line.

The 1980s ushered in the digital control era which includedPLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) enabled complex automated signalling.

Today and the future

Fast-forward to today and factories are implementing truly extraordinary signalling solutions, such as Schneider Electric’s Tower Lights, alongside touch and push buttons, and IIoT-ready control modules, which have all evolved into interactive communication hubs.

Operators can input commands or flag process needs via touch buttons, triggering visual, audible, or tactile responses from tower lights. This creates a closed-loop communication ecosystem where human action and machine feedback continuously inform each other.

Next generation signalling devices are designed for the future. Their key advantages include:

• Scalable modularity – factories can tailor systems to their needs—adding or adjusting components without major downtime or costly reconfiguration.
• Remote monitoring – supervisors can view machine status from anywhere, supporting multi-site operations and faster incident response.
• Predictive maintenance – built-in diagnostics allow early detection of anomalies, enabling maintenance teams to intervene before breakdowns occur.
• Seamless integration – IIoT-ready devices communicate effortlessly with smart factory platforms, SCADA systems, and cloud-based analytics tools.
• Multi-sensory alerts – visual, audible, and tactile notifications ensure workers receive critical information clearly, even in noisy or low-visibility environments.

Human–machine convergence

Highly intelligent smart signalling is also reliant on human input. It is this integration which is redefining operational performance. By enabling operators to communicate needs instantly, and machines to respond with clear, actionable alerts, factories are eliminating guesswork.

This closed-loop communication system reduces misunderstandings, accelerates decision-making, and enhances workflow clarity, key requirements for achieving reliable production in fast-paced environments.

The relevance

African manufacturers which adopt intelligent signalling systems will undoubtedly gain a competitive edge. Predictive maintenance cuts unplanned downtime, advanced visibility boosts product consistency, and connected safety features help plants meet global safety and sustainability standards, all critical for entering demanding international supply chains.

The bottom line is intelligent, connected communication has become the backbone of high‑performing factories, and the question is no longer if African industries should adopt smart signalling, but how quickly they can transition.

For more on Schneider Electric’s Tower Lights please visit: https://www.se.com/za/en/product-subcategory/5010-modular-tower-lights/

The post Opinion piece: How smart signalling can transform Africa’s manufacturing future appeared first on African Petrochemicals & Energy.

Modern machinery often requires chains, of precisely the same length, to be used in pairs or other multiples.

For applications in the steel industry, BMG specialists recommend Tsubaki ‘Match & Tag’ chain services for lifting functions in accumulator towers. Match & Tag’ chains guarantee a maximum chain length difference of 0.50 mm, independent of the total chain length. Advanced Tsubaki chain length measurement technology ensures smooth, accurate and reliable machine actuation.

“When chains are required to run in parallel for conveyance purposes, it is critical that these chains have minimal difference in length. If non-matched chains are used, the consequences can be challenging, with errors, twisting and slippage occurring during operation. These problems occur because the chain length has not been checked link by link,” explains Carlo Beukes, Business Unit Manager, Power Transmission division, BMG. “Difficulties are exacerbated as chains wear and deteriorate with use and although re-tensioning chains does provide temporary improvement, repeated re-tensioning reduces chain life considerably. This results in lower productivity, unnecessary downtime, premature component replacement and consequent expenses.

“Although industry standards relating to the manufacture of chain components set a tolerance for the accuracy of length, regulations do not cover the assembly of components into complete chains. This means there is a possibility that a significant error will accumulate, if a chain length includes several links that are only just within tolerance. Some manufacturers address this by sorting their components into two or three classes of greater accuracy, but the possibility of accumulated errors remains.

“To alleviate these problems, Tsubaki pre-stretched chains are supplied by BMG in matched-length pairs, that are tagged for easy identification and accurate installation.

Our ‘Match & Tag’ service guarantees that paired chains are the same length to within a tolerance of 0.50 mm, by measuring and matching each individual component of the chain. For high-accuracy, Tsubaki sets tight tolerances on the physical dimensions of each chain part.

“After assembly of a complete chain length, the ‘Match & Tag’ process begins by accurately checking the length. Subsequently, the chain lengths are matched and tagged together into pairs – or larger groups if required. As a result, these chains offer higher productivity, smoother operation, a cleaner manufacturing environment, minimal downtime and extended service life.”

BMG’s Tsubaki ‘Match & Tag’ service is available for chains that comprise BS single pitch sizes RS08B to RS32B, ANSI single pitch sizes RS40 to RS100 (including the Heavy-Duty Series) and ANSI double pitch sizes RF2040 to RF2100 (R-roller, S-roller, HP).

Apart from applications in the steel sector for ‘Match & Tag’ chains, this system is also  suitable for industries that include packaging machines, food and beverage production and carpet manufacturing.

BMG’s national branch network offers a technical advisory service on correct chain selection – a critical factor in any power transmission system. For specific applications, chains with special materials, coatings and lubrications are available nationally and to meet exact requirements, chains are supplied in any lengths. 

Web: www.bmgworld.net

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Southern Africa’s industrial and mining growth is powering a sharp rise in demand for dependable portable energy. With sustainability and compliance at the forefront, businesses are seeking solutions that balance efficiency with environmental responsibility. Standing at the innovation forefront is Atlas Copco Power Technique, offering advanced generator technology and adaptable, versatile solutions designed to meet both mining and industry customers’ current and evolving operational needs.

Riaan Burke, Business Development Managerat Atlas Copco Power Technique, highlights a growing shift toward prime power applications and large-scale industrial use. “The market is unmistakable shifting towards higher‑efficiency solutions, with prime power now a central focus, particularly for the mining and manufacturing sectors.While diesel generators will remain a cornerstone of industrial power for the foreseeable future, we are ready for the next wave of innovation with our advanced battery and energy storage systems (ESS), complemented by cutting-edge hybrid technologies, that are rapidly gaining traction and reshaping the market. Mining and industry’s trajectory is clear, with efficiency and sustainability increasingly shaping purchasing decisions. While diesel generators remain the dominant choice, ESS and hybrid solutions are gaining momentum as more viable, efficient and sustainable alternatives.”

Riaan further notes that the Southern African market continues to show steady growth in mining‑related generator demand, particularly in the 380kVA to 1450kVA range, as infrastructure projects and new mining applications fuel expansion across the continent. “We are seeing sustained investment in power solutions for new mine developments, reinforcing the critical need for reliable, high‑performance generators.”

With extensive experience in the generator industry, Atlas Copco Power Technique’s highly skilled and respected team plays a strategic role in guiding customers toward the right power solutions, ensuring optimal operational performance tailored to their specific and unique applications. The team’s deep understanding of industry demands enables them to perfectly align businesses with generators that will meet immediate power requirements and support long‑term efficiency and reliability.

This tailored approach is embodied in Atlas Copco’s diverse generator portfolio which delivers scalable solutions from 20kVA to 1450kVA and is engineered and purpose‑built to seamlessly manage high starting motor currents that meet the toughest applications typically found in mining and large‑scale manufacturing.

Riaan emphasises that Atlas Copco’s strategy for the coming years centres on direct sales and a strong dealer network, ensuring accessibility and expert customer support. “Beyond product innovation, our commitment to aftermarket service and technical training remains the bedrock of our growth plan. Added to this are our comprehensive training programmes that equip both technicians and customers with the skills needed to maintain and optimise their power solutions, securing long‑term operational efficiency.”

“When customers invest in our equipment, they expect not only quality and reliability but also the assurance that their operations will run smoothly, regardless of the challenges,” asserts Riaan. “Our mandate is therefore to deliver generators that provide sustainable value. To achieve this, we resolutely invest in product innovation, cutting‑edge technology and exceptional service and after-market support, setting a standard that is unmatched in the industry.”

As market and customer demands evolve, Atlas Copco remains a trusted partner for industries seeking robust, efficient and future‑ready power solutions, further reinforcing its leadership in the portable generator sector. Aligned with its future-oriented mindset, Atlas Copco continues to drive innovation, expertly balancing current market demands with the anticipated regulatory shift toward greener technologies. “We are positioned for the future, ready to support and empower customers on their dynamic green journey, keeping in step with their adoption of new technologies and their transition to electric or hybrid machines,” concludes Riaan.

For more information: www.atlascopcogroup.com

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By Taru Madangombe, Vice President for Power and Grid Segment, MEA at Schneider Electric

The EU’s electricity network spans over  11 million kilometres, making it one of the most extensive and resilient in the world. Today, these corridors enable energy to flow efficiently across member states, lowering costs whilst managing rising demand.

Importantly, it also allows renewables like wind power in the North Sea or solar in Southern Europe to be distributed widely, smoothing variability and strengthening the overall system.

For Africa, where unfortunately many power systems remain perpetually fragmented and underfunded, Europe’s regional power distribution corridors offer a compelling blueprint.

National grids and regional highways

At its core, grid interconnection is about strength through collaboration. One way to understand it is to think of electricity infrastructure like transport infrastructure. National distribution networks are the local and secondary roads that serve towns and cities. Regional transmission corridors, by contrast, are the highways, high-capacity routes that connect countries, enable trade, and keep economies moving.

Europe has invested heavily in these “electricity highways”: high-voltage transmission corridors that link national grids into a single interconnected system. This allows power to flow seamlessly across borders, strengthening each country’s grid by giving it access to external supply when needed.

And whilst not perfect, nothing ever is, it does offer exceptional resilience and flexibility.

Corridors in Africa

The good news Africa has already begun this journey. In Southern Africa, the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) enables electricity trading between countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Established in 1995, under the Southern African Development Community (SADC), it brings together the national electricity companies of twelve Southern African countries to form a common power grid and electricity market

In practice, SAPP has enabled countries like South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique to export electricity to neighbours, while smaller economies benefit from access to more stable and affordable supply. It is a cornerstone of regional energy cooperation, though challenges remain around infrastructure investment and governance.

Harnessing Africa’s great energy resources 

Strengthening regional electricity corridors would allow Africa to better leverage its diverse and unevenly distributed energy resources.

East Africa, for instance, is rich in hydropower and geothermal energy, particularly in countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia. These renewable resources could support industrial growth and energy security far beyond their borders if strong transmission corridors were in place.

During periods of power shortages in Southern Africa, clean energy from the East could help stabilise supply, reduce reliance on emergency generation, and lower emissions.

Furthermore, from an economic perspective, larger, integrated electricity markets can also lower costs. Shared infrastructure reduces duplication, enables economies of scale, and makes renewable energy projects more bankable. This offers a practical, interim solution while long-term investment is still developing and pending.

What is holding Africa back?

The challenge is not technology. High-voltage transmission solutions, grid management systems, and interconnection expertise already exist. Infrastructure suppliers, developers, and utilities have the technical capability to deliver these projects.

The primary barrier is funding, and, closely linked to that, coordination. Building transmission lines across thousands of kilometres and multiple jurisdictions require significant capital investment and strong political alignment.

Regional bodies such as the African Union and SADC provide a framework, but progress depends on collective commitment.

Large-scale visions such as the Great Inga hydropower in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) illustrate both the opportunity and the challenge

The Inga Project it has been on the drawing board for decades, with multiple phases proposed, re-scoped, and delayed. The first two dams (Inga I and II) were completed in the 1970s and 1980s, but they only tapped a small fraction of the Congo River’s immense hydropower potential.

Since then, the larger vision, Inga III and ultimately the Grand Inga scheme, has been repeatedly announced, negotiated, and postponed due to financing hurdles, governance challenges, and shifting political priorities.

The above is a clear example of the continent’s continued obstacles however also clearly illustrates of Africa and how it will gain tremendously from regional electricity corridors.

The post Establishing Africa’s regional electricity corridors – a story of great potential and promise appeared first on African Petrochemicals & Energy.

Air Products South Africa successfully launched a new innovative solution, the Magmix 3 Compact cylinder, which aims to fill a gap in the market as a lightweight, compact, and affordable welding solution for the DIY market and smaller businesses.

Jörg Scholz, Distributor Business Manager at Air Products, explains that they identified an increasing need for a more compact cylinder. This is largely the result of the current trend whereby manufacturers of welding machines are moving towards more compact and light welding machines, which  creates the need for a more compact welding gas solution.

After consultation with the distributors, and conducting extensive market research, they engaged with their European counterparts to establish the viability of a suitable product for the South African market. The access to Air Products’ global expertise and aligning with their technical standards, has enabled Air Products South Africa to supply a practical, compact and technologically advanced solution.

Advanced technical specifications a game-changer

The Magmix 3 Compact cylinder uses 200-bar built-in regulator technology, and the valve ensures ease of use for opening and closing. The compact design of the product allows for easy manoeuvrability, which is crucial for many users and the integrated flow optimiser eliminates pre-weld surges of shielding gas.

The cylinder is ergonomically and safely designed and allows for simple connection to welding machines through a quick coupler system.

According to Scholz, this 20-litre cylinder with a mass of 7kg of product allows for approximately 4.7 hours of welding. “At Air Products we do not compromise on safety , and the 4-bar positive pressure valve ensures that the integrity of the product is maintained. It is comforting to know that we are not only providing customers with a quality product, but more importantly, one that is safe to use”, says Scholz.

Magmix 3 Compact’s characteristics clearly sets it apart

Used for MAG welding of light gauge, mild steel, the Magmix 3 Compact blend is a 3-part mixture of argon, carbon dioxide and oxygen. This mixture

enables the user to weld in all positions, thereby providing excellent arc stability. The Magmix 3 Compact cylinder further contributes to low fume emissions and spatter volume.

The traditional rental model has been replaced by an ownership model eliminating the need to pay monthly cylinder rental and cylinder deposits.

The Magmix 3 Compact cylinders are only available through their accredited distributor network across all regions within Southern Africa.

Scholz concludes: “At Air Products, we did not hesitate to deliver a product to the market when our customers requested it. I believe that the launch of the Magmix 3 Compact sets a new benchmark for welding solutions and am confident that we have exceeded our customers’ expectations”.

For more information on Air Products, visit www.airproducts.co.za.

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