Public infrastructure spending over the next three years will amount to more than ZAR 1 trillion, South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced in his budget speech on 12 March 2025. The spending will focus on three sectors, namely R402 billion for transport and logistics, R219.2 billion for energy infrastructure, and R156.3 billion for water and sanitation.
“The mooted infrastructure investment plan will hopefully be a major fillip for South Africa’s galvanized steel industry and the zinc rich paint suppliers,” comments to Simon Norton, Director of the International Zinc Association (Africa). Infrastructure construction and reinforced concrete, encompassing bridges, buildings, piping, and power transmission towers, relies heavily on steel due to its strength and versatility.
Galvanized steel is used for bridge beams, guardrails, reinforced steel in concrete and other structural components. Continuously galvanized steel sheet is used for roofing, cladding, and hot dip galvanized steel for structural framing. Zinc coatings protect pipes and storage tanks from corrosion, ensuring the safe transport and storage of water and waste water.
Galvanized steel is used for power transmission towers and railway electricity pylons, providing long term protection in harsh environments such as along the South African West coast as well as the South and East Coasts of Southern Africa. It is also used for telecoms towers, ensuring reliable communication infrastructure which does not rust and collapse.
In addition, galvanized steel is used in water treatment and sewage plants, providing resistance to corrosion and wastewater. “This is a key sector for galvanized steel and zinc rich coatings in Southern Africa,” highlights Norton.
However, steel’s vulnerability to corrosion poses a significant challenge, threatening the operational life and safety of these critical structures. To fight this, zinc coatings have emerged as a vital protective measure, offering a double defence mechanism, both a physical barrier and cathodic protection.
Steel, when exposed to water and oxygen, undergoes corrosion, commonly known as rusting. This process weakens the material, leading to structural failures and costly repairs. If infrastructure is exposed to harsh environments, such as in marine or industrial locations, the rate of corrosion accelerates, necessitating effective protective strategies and that’s where zinc comes into its own.
Zinc coatings significantly extend the service life of steel structures, reducing maintenance costs and minimising downtime. Zinc coated steel, particularly batch hot dip galvanized steel, is highly resistant to abrasion, impact, and other forms of mechanical damage.
The long-lasting protection provided by zinc coatings minimises the need for frequent maintenance, recoating and repair. Although the initial cost of zinc coating may be higher than other protective measures such as painting, its long-term durability and reduced maintenance requirements make it a cost-effective solution that far outstrips using only paint. A key technique is to use an organic paint coating over hot dip galvanizing, the so-called DUPLEX SYSTEM, which then provides very long life for steel structures exposed to our harsh South African coastal environment.
Zinc is a naturally occurring element and is totally recyclable. The long service life of zinc coated steel also contributes to sustainability by reducing the need for frequent replacements. “By preventing structural failures and deterioration caused by corrosion, zinc coatings particularly hot dip galvanizing enhance the safety and lifetime of steel and concrete infrastructure,” concludes Norton.
Ends
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Notes to the Editor
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About the International Zinc Association (IZA)
The IZA is the only global industry association dedicated exclusively to the interests of zinc and its users. Operating internationally and locally in Africa through the IZA Africa Desk, the IZA helps sustain the long-term global demand for zinc and its markets by promoting such key end uses as corrosion protection for steel and zinc as essential in human health and crop nutrition. IZA’s main programmes are Zinc Use Research, Sustainability & Environment, Technology & Market Development and technical Communications.
In South Africa, the IZA plays a vital role in establishing the basis for the successful growth of the zinc industry by increasing awareness of zinc and its applications and benefits in key sectors and markets.
International Zinc Association Contact
Simon Norton
Director
IZA Africa
Phone: (021) 788 9980
Cell: 082 831 2924
Email: zinc@iafrica.com
Web: www.zinc.org
Media Contact
Andile Mbethe
Account Executive
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Cell: 073 565 6536
Email: andile@ngage.co.za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
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Galvanized rebar is coated with zinc to improve rust resistance
Galvanized rebar is coated with zinc to improve rust resistance
Zinc-rich primer is an example of an excellent anti-corrosion coating
Zinc-rich primer is an example of an excellent anti-corrosion coating
The Cape’s coastal environment is highly corrosive, as evidenced by the rusted bolts on a crucial water tank at a desalination plant
The Cape’s coastal environment is highly corrosive, as evidenced by the rusted bolts on a crucial water tank at a desalination plant - Galvanized steel critical for SAs R1tn infrastructure investment plan_approved
Galvanized steel critical for SAs R1tn infrastructure investment plan_approved
Galvanized steel critical for SAs R1tn infrastructure investment plan_approved
