MechChem Africa July-August 2023

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Local safety footwear styles

arguments for both. “End users have to weigh up the pros and cons. In addition to comparing the cost of diesel versus electricity, a number of other variables such as job site location, infrastructure availability and project duration, must also all be factored into the calculations. “We therefore strongly encourage customers to do their research and under stand the challenges presented by each job in order to determine what would be the best, most cost-effective and sustain able solution. To assist customers, we have developed a TTC calculator that is easily accessible on our website and which can be used to carry out a number of calcula tions to help find the most optimal solu tion - electric or diesel.” The E-Air will potentially be the most efficient source of compressed air for job sites with access to electric power supply. The E-air’s quiet, zero-emission power unit is also the answer for enclosed spaces and noise sensitive environments, ensuring operator safety and comfort. For large open spaces and remote locations where there is no access to a power grid, the diesel air compressor would be the best option to go with. “Electrically operated equipment is not a sustainable solution for all applications,” notes Stanford. “Furthermore, not all businesses are ready to move to electric machines like the E-Air right now. But for those customers who are ready, we have the solutions, thanks to our forward thinking, proactive approach and constant innovations,” he assures. www.atlascopco.com/en-za With South African manufacturers experiencing the toughest socioeconomic conditions ever, BBF Safety Group re mains committed to its local operations. “Not only do we manufacture locally, but we also support a downstream supply chain of local companies who provide us with a range of raw materials and services from the leathers and laces to the manu facturing of the uppers,” says Nothard. www.bbfsafety.com maintain market-leading products in these industries, especially under the constant threat of imported products flooding in? BBF Safety Group was established based on championing local manufacturing, procurement, and SMME development. “To get the economy back on its feet, this objective is now more relevant than at any other time in the country’s history,” argues Marketing Manager Deane Nothard.

Stanford. Equipped with a zero emission, efficient, low-noise ruggedised motor, and available with fixed-speed and variable speed drives (VSD), these plug-and-play units offer a sustainable solution for end users, operators and the environment. For customers searching for ultra-efficiency, the E-Air VSD delivers best-in-class ownership driven by performance, ease of use, reliability, long life-cycle and ser viceability. “We are excited by the fact that we have already received an order for an E-Air machine from our distributor in Madagascar, for supply to a customer in the mining sector,” adds Stanford. He points out that the choice between diesel and electric driven equipment is not always an easy one as there are mitigating Protective Equipment (PPE). The group’s brands have made an indelible impact on the safety footwear market. Over the past 30 years, the Lemaitre Maxeco has proudly helped protect over ten million workers. This surely marks Maxeco as the top selling safety footwear style in South Africa over the past three decades. Bova’s Neoflex would probably be the closest style gaining ground, with a 25-year pedigree and, arguably, currently the best-selling safety boot in South Africa. Sisi has been a constant champion for women-specific PPE for over 15 years, while styles such as Reese continue to be a firm favourite for female employees in heavy industry. But what does it take to build and

With a 120-year history in occupational footwear, integrated workplace safety solutions provider, BBF Safety Group, remains Africa’s largest manufacturer of safety footwear. It also continues to expand its range of head-to-toe Personal Maxeco has been the top selling safety footwear style in South Africa over the past three decades.

Atlas Copco adds mobile electric compressors to range

Mindful of the urgent and critical drives for efficiency and environmental com pliance, Atlas Copco Power Technique remains steadfast in its commitment to new technologies and products. “Our aim is to address not only customers’ present-day requirements, but also to have products ready to meet their fu ture needs,” says David Stanford, Power Technique Business Line Manager for Portable Products. In addition to Atlas Copco’s renowned high quality, reliable and efficient range of mobile diesel air compressors, customers now also have the choice of an electric machine, the E-Air. “Our range of E-Air compressors delivers all the benefits of electric driven equipment,” asserts

The Inspecta APS Purge System, developed in South Africa by Instrotech, automatically keeps pipe-sets clear of fly ash to ensure that the sensitivity of the Inspecta steam leak detection system is not compromised.

Atlas Copco E-Air H250 VSD compressor delivers zero emissions and low noise.

38 ¦ MechChem Africa • July-August 2023