The International Chromium Development Association (ICDA) has announced that it will again sponsor the Ferritic Stainless Steels category of the Stainless Steel Awards programme. This category is open to all companies and individuals within the private and public sectors, students and institutions. It is awarded for the most successful market penetration of ferritic stainless steels combining usage, applications, substitution, growth, fitness for purpose, cost saving and effective solutions. Speaking on behalf of ICDA, Willem Gericke of Samancor says that ICDA believes in the merits of the programme as it raises the profile and awareness of stainless steel whilst also creating good publicity for ICDA. ICDA is one of three overseas sponsors of the awards programme. The others are Rimex, which is sponsoring the Architectural, Building and Construction Projects category and NiDI, which is sponsoring the Product Development category. The Stainless Steel Awards programme was first introduced by Sassda (Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association) in 1998 and has been held biennially since then.