Construction World November 2017

EXTERNAL FINISHES

Deryck Spence, executive director of the SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA), has strongly urged the government to consult the coatings sector before introducing further measures that could endanger the future of the industry. SAPMA was recently advised that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had, following recommendations made by the National Economic Development & Labour Council (NEDLAC), decided to abolish import duties, specifically on resins, from Egypt and the EAC. “The decision was made with the endorsement of NEDLAC without any consultation with the coatings industry or SAPMA whose resin producing members, in particular, would now have to compete with ‘dumped’ substantially cheaper imports that could also be of a sub-standard quality, SAPMA contends,” Spence said. In a letter to the DTI Director General, Lionel October, Spence questioned NEDLAC’s qualifications to single-handedly make recommendations about the coatings sector. “I would greatly appreciate if you could advise who the expert at NEDLAC is who speaks so knowledgeably about our industry, or who the expert at BUSA is who is apparently also an expert on the coatings industry? We certainly have not been able to identify these experts nor make contact with them,” Spence stated in the letter. He also asked why the government had not ordered an impact study of the effects of the scrapping of import duties on the coatings sector. “This surely would have been a necessity, particularly since no consultation was conducted with the coatings industry.” Spence furthermore also wanted to know why NEDLAC had not consulted the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) which has as mandate the investigation of unfair trade practices. He said SAPMA had made contact with ITAC to raise its objection to the government’s Tripartite Free Trade Agreement with Egypt and the EAC. “It would be greatly appreciated that when decisions are being made pertaining to the future of the coatings industry, SAPMA is consulted before those decisions are made which is the situation in most countries where strong industry associations exist,” he concluded in his letter to the DTI.  SAPMA fears job losses The SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) fears widespread job losses in the coatings industry because of the government’s decision to negotiate the abolition of import duties for resins, in particular, from the East African Community (EAC) and Egypt.

The rating process, which helps establish a benchmark of verified and eco-preferred products within the construction industry, is an accreditation standard recognised by the Green Building Council of South Africa. For materials to receive a green rating, they must undergo rigorous assessment and meet evidence-based criteria, ensuring that they meet the criteria to receive GreenTag certification. “Being sustainable means being aware of the impact our products have on the environment,” says Ian Winroth, head of sales at Saint-Gobain Gyproc. “Our products are designed to create safe, healthy and comfortable urban habitats that are also energy efficient, enabling homeowners to reduce their impact on the environment,” he explains. This is the philosophy behind the company’s performance plasterboard range that received the rating. Gyproc RhinoBoard, MoistureResistant, FireStop, SoundBloc and DuraLine all consist of an aerated or foamed gypsum core encased in up to 100% Post-Consumer recycled paper liner. They can be used for interior walls and ceilings in residential, commercial and industrial buildings – especially where thermal, acoustic or fire rating criteria have been specified. “We anticipate that this certification will cement a sense of confidence amongst stakeholders and customers within the architecture and construction industries as we continue to innovate and develop Global GreenTag Certification Saint-Gobain Gyproc’s range of RhinoBoard products for walls and ceilings recently achieved the prestigious Global GreenTag Certification earning GBCSA Level B.

products that help address challenges around sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental protection,” con- cludes Winroth. 

Saint-Gobain Gyproc continues to add value to the environment by helping to safeguard rhinos in South Africa. For every RhinoBoard or RhinoLite product purchased, a percentage of profits goes to SANParks Honorary Rangers to support rhino anti-poaching efforts. Find out more at www.gyproc.co.za

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD NOVEMBER 2017