Arnhem, the Netherlands, 5 June 2014 –
The use of Twaron aramid fibers can reduce energy consumption by 20%, while reducing CO2
emissions by more than 100,000 tons per year. That’s what Teijin
Aramid’s Customer Benefit Model (CBM) shows in a case in which the use
of steel-wire hoisting
ropes is compared with that of synthetic Twaron hoisting ropes in a
specific deep-mining application. The Customer Benefit Model (CBM) –
developed by Teijin Aramid – calculates which financial and
sustainability-related benefits the use of Twaron offers in
a specific application.
In
deep mining (at depths of more than 2,000m), the weight of steel ropes
has a significant effect on energy use during hoisting. Synthetic
hoisting ropes using Twaron aramid fibers
have the same strength per diameter as steel ropes, but at 20% of the
weight. This means that, in a shaft, the same payload can be hoisted
using less energy, causing fewer CO2 emissions and resulting in lower costs. And because no greasing is needed,
maintenance costs are also reduced.
Consortium
In
recognition of the value of this development, a consortium has been
formed with Canadian mines, the Canadian government, a US rope
manufacturer, a consultancy company and Teijin
Aramid as fiber supplier. This consortium has developed case studies
comparing steel wire ropes with synthetic Twaron ropes for different
situations. To develop and explore this new technology further and to
fund test facilities, the consortium is now seeking
financial support from other industry partners who are interested in
participating in the next phase of the mine hoisting rope project, which
will take place in 2014.
Sustainability Report
The
deep-mining case is one of the highlights in Teijin Aramid’s
Sustainability Report 2013 that was published today. A summary video of
the CSR Report 2013 can be found here
www.teijinaramid.com/