German additives specialist Liqui Moly is set to enter the mining sector.
Image: Liqui Moly |
The company will expand its product range to provide mining lubricant additives, particularly for conveyor gears and gearboxes. One of largest issues for lubricants in this environment is a build of of dust and grit in machinery which can lead to overheating or friction and thus increase fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
Liqui Moly has identified South Africa as its opening market for the new additive products, although the company distributes to more than 90 countries worldwide, with 16 mines in the country already purchasing the brand. According to the company, one of the main challenges was overcoming reluctance within the mining sector to trial the additives because of machinery value and potential downtimes.
However, early tests enabled Liqui Moly to convince the sector of the benefits of using additives in lubricants by demonstrating a reduction in gear oil operating temperatures of between 10 and 15°C.