Stainless steel is one of the largest growth industries of the past 100 years. Since 1950, worldwide production has expanded from about 1 million tonnes to more than 50 million tonnes in 2018, at a growth rate of 5.5% year-on-year. During this time, the image of stainless steel has changed from an exotic specialist alloy to an everyday material used in high quality durable products.
The Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) was established in 1992 to address and harness stainless steel's growth trend in Australia, and today remains as the Association's core objective. ASSDA focuses its market development efforts in fostering the understanding and use of stainless steel by developing the competence and efficiency of the industry through promotion, education and training, the provision of technical advice and fabricator accreditation.
Since 1992, ASSDA has overseen the more than doubling of the market for stainless steel in Australia, with apparent consumption reaching 135,000 tonnes at its peak in 2003. At the end of the 2018 calendar year, apparent consumption was reported at 96,747 tonnes.
Without the presence of a local stainless steel mill, Australia is a project-oriented market. The industry must focus on excelling in quality and service, especially facing the perception of high cost when compared with other materials. Promotion of stainless steel as the material of choice and its life-cycle and sustainable benefits is important to support this, and ASSDA plays a critical role in facilitating the dialogue between materials decision makers and the industry it represents.
ASSDA aims to instil an innovative, proactive and member-responsive culture, and the Association could not continue without the valuable support of its more than 175 member organisations work with ASSDA to grow the market for stainless steel.
VISION
The essential association for people and organisations working together and collaboratively striving for a sustainable stainless steel industry and future in Australia.
MISSION
To foster the understanding and use of stainless steel by developing the competence and efficiency of the industry through promotion, education and training, the provision of adequate technical advice and industry fabricator accreditation.
VALUE PROPOSITION
Support, grow and defend the market for stainless steel.
