Chemical Technology April 2016

Trident Plastics announces new ownership

Leading South African PTFE manufacturer Trident Plastics, T/A Hardomid Plastic, re- cently announced the sale of the company. The new owner, AZ-Armaturen Valve Group, has been an important customer of Trident Plastics since its inception and has a strategic vision for significant business expansion. The two previous owners of Trident Plas- tics, Albert Dos Santos and Greg Halsted, have decided to retire as members of the company and hand over the business to its long-term partner and valve group AZ- Armaturen. Albert Dos Santos’ decision to retire as Managing Member will bring to a close a remarkable career of nearly 18 years of continuous service to the company and its stakeholders. “It has been a privilege to lead one of the top PTFE manufacturers in South Africa and work alongside with customers and suppliers from various industries.” said Dos Santos. For another six months, he will support the new owners in order to ensure a smooth transition into the com- pany and assure the transfer of know-how. Trident Plastics continues its opera- tions as an independent company from

FOCUS ON

DESIGN & MATERIALS

Previous owners Greg Halsted and Albert Dos Santos together with Erich Ermel, the appointed Managing Director of Trident Plastics. AZ-Armaturen and all the employees will remain in the business. perience at a previous seals manufacturer in Switzerland.

Trident Plastics is a manufacturer of PTFE products, high quality plastic parts and supplies the industry with various sealing solutions. The products of Trident Plastics are used in various applications in the chemical, petrochemical, mining, food, pharma and valve industry.

The trading name Hardomid Plastic will no longer be used. “We believe that Trident Plastics has a bright future ahead. Our strategic expansion plans and the techni- cal know-how of Trident Plastics will allow us to target new markets and industries,” commented Erich Ermel, Trident Plastics’ Managing Director. Erich Ermel has been in the manufacturing industry for many years and has a profound knowledge about PTFE, seals and gaskets gained from his work ex-

For more information contact: +27 (0) 11 824 0696; or email: sales@trident-plastics.co.za

Solution for installing HDPE piping underground in tight spaces Plasson Line 87 from Incledon is an excel- lent solution for the installation of 110 mm HDPE piping underground in tight and hard- to-reach places. An example of this range’s acceptance in the local mining industry is its successful application at Anglo Plati- num’s Modikwa Mine in Burgersfort, states Phillip Bawden, national product manager for plastics at Incledon. ible seal, an insert and a split ring. The latter is positioned in the insert by means of pins on the split ring. It slots into the insert, which ensures that the split ring slides through the insert without gripping the nut in the initial stages of the tighten- ing process.

“Incledon strives to be able to supply, among other things, a full range of pipes, both steel and plastic, associated fittings and valves and pumps. We also have instal- lation teams capable of installing these products as and when required,” Bawden comments. “HDPE pipes and fittings sometimes require tailor-made solutions at some mines, and Incledon is now able to offer this service,” he concludes.

The nut then impacts on the shoulder of the insert, pushing it into the fitting body and thereby compressing the seal. “The nut must be tightened until it is flush with the fitting body in order to ensure adequate seal compression and split ring contact,” Bawden notes. The Plasson Line 87 range comprises couplings, tees, male and female adaptors, shouldered adaptors, 45 ° tees, end plugs and flange adaptors, all rated at PN 16 pressure. “In order to be a convenient and con- structive supplier to the mining industry, Incledon has established branches in most of the major mining areas,” Bawden highlights. These include Burgersfort, Lephalale, Welkom, Klerksdorp, Kathu, Rustenburg and Secunda, which are all serviced by fully-stocked branches.

Manufactured in accordance with SANS 14236: 2003 specifications, the Plasson Line 87 range features a ‘revolutionary’ seal system. The seal compresses when the nut is tightened, ensuring a hassle-free, water-tight system. There is no contact with the seal during insertion of the pipe, which means that the pipe slips in easily until it makes contact with the centre register. “Plasson Line 87 fittings make it particu- larly easy to join HDPE pipes in confined areas in underground mining,” Bawden notes. A Plasson wrench is utilised to simply tighten the fitting once the pipe has been properly inserted. Bawden explains that the sealing sys- tem itself comprises the nut, a compress-

For more information contact NGAGE Public Relations on tel:+27 11 867-7763; email: gerhard@ngage.co.za or go to www.ngage.co.za

The Plasson Line 87 range features a ‘revolu- tionary’ seal system.

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Chemical Technology • April 2016