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steel that kills covid

The world’s first Covid-killing steel

The first Covid-killing steel has been developed by researchers at the University of Hong Kong. As explained in the study, stainless steel products are extensively used in public areas, making it one of the most frequently touched materials. On a conventional stainless steel surface, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be detected even after two days.  So, let’s take a look at what makes this new alloy Covid-killing and how it could be used to keep us safe.   Who is behind the research? The research was led by Professor Mingxin HUANG at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Faculty of…

steel factory

Is green steel possible?

Under the new Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI), the governments of the UK, India, Germany and Canada have announced a pledge to purchase low carbon-emission steel. Green steel is already experiencing a rise in demand, with this announcement encouraging the market’s growth.  The steel industry is critical to the global economy, but it is also one of the biggest producers of carbon dioxide. And so, decreasing the level of CO2 produced by the industry is vital if countries are to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. And green steel is thought to be the answer. Here we look…

erp-system-laptop

Should you choose a generic or industry-specific ERP system?

Implementing a new ERP system is no small task. Add in the time pressures and volatility of the metals market, and you can be certain this implementation is not something you want to be doing again a few months down the line. So, selecting the right software can be a pretty daunting decision. This is why we suggest breaking it down. One of the first choices to be made is whether a generic or industry-specific ERP system is best for your business. Here, we outline the key differences between the two and explain why industry-specific triumphs over generic for metal…

How steel manufacturers can protect and boost margins in a volatile market

A tumultuous 18 months has led to an unprecedented rise in steel prices. Supply has been unable to keep pace with the slumps and surges in demand for steel, resulting in the continual cost increase. With this instability set to continue for the foreseeable, what can steel manufacturers do to protect margins and optimise profits? Here, we give you the solution. How much have steel prices increased? Over the past 12 months, the price per tonne of steel has increased by July: +£30 August: +£30 November: +£40 December: +£80 January: +£50 March: +£30 May: +£50 May: +£100 June: +£80 Why…

ERP system

How to choose the right ERP system

An ERP system can increase revenue, boost productivity, improve coordination, cut costs and give you a competitive edge. But only if it’s right for you, your industry and your business. One Google search will throw a seemingly never-ending list of choices at you, likely leaving you with more questions than answers. So, if this is you and you’re in the metal industry, we’ve outlined the key considerations to have in mind that’ll help whittle down the options.   What is an ERP system? An ERP system, standing for Enterprise Resource Planning, is a type of software companies use to manage…

Online ordering system

5 reasons why metal stockholders and processors should offer online ordering

So much can now be done at the click of a button. Shop, speak to friends, listen to music, book a holiday, read the news, apply for a job; all done in an instant. And the past year has proved the true value of tech. Online learning, appointments, meetings, interviews, chats and parties; technology kept us close whilst we remained apart. The pandemic has served only to accelerate the pace of digitalisation, a transformation which is vital to keep up in today’s market. But one which is yet to be fully embraced by the steel and metal industry. Phone calls,…

How Business Intelligence can help you to make more informed data-driven decisions

How Business Intelligence can help you to make more informed data-driven decisions

When working in any business, looking at changes and developments in the external market is an essential part of making well-informed decisions for the future. This collated data allows you to discover the most up to date information about the market and your customers. And if your business can adopt and utilise this insight in a timely manner, it will also be best placed to hold a strong competitive advantage within the sector. And this is how ‘Business Intelligence’, or ‘BI’ for short, can hold great value when trying to maintain or grow your position within your chosen market. ‘BI’…