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28.
August
2018.
ATEX safety for LANXESS Urethanes’ lift truck fleet
Dear Editor

Please find below the latest press release on behalf of Pyroban.

SHOREHAM, UK | AUGUST 2018

ATEX safety for LANXESS Urethanes’ lift truck fleet
 
Chemical manufacturer LANXESS Urethanes UK Ltd. has received a new generation of Pyroban® protected lift trucks for its operation in Baxenden, UK. The company handles large volumes of flammable material and relies on active explosion protection to alert the drivers if flammable material is present.
 
“We predominantly manufacture urethane and acrylic products for use in coatings, adhesives, sealants and foams at this site in Baxenden,” says Paul Stansfield, Logistics Manager at LANXESS Urethanes UK Ltd. “These are specialty chemicals that are used primarily in the construction, automotive and textile industry.” 
 
In Baxenden, LANXESS operates as a COMAH* site as many of the raw materials and finished products are flammable or hazardous. With numerous hazardous areas, the company specifies ATEX** compliant products and follows strict safety procedures. As a global speciality chemical company safety is key for LANXESS and the Group sustains the same high safety standards on a global level. 
 
LANXESS recently renewed four of its 2.5 tonne capacity lift trucks. Two are used by production operators to deliver flammable raw materials in drums or IBCs to the reactors 24 hours per day, while the other two unload and load articulated lorries, as well as containers for export to China, America and elsewhere.
 
The Toyota Tonero lift trucks feature Pyroban’s system6000™ which incorporates gas detection to continuously monitor the direct environment around each truck. 
 
“When a mixture of flammable gas or vapour in air is detected, system6000 gives an audible and visual warning to the driver at 10% Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) propane in air,” explains Rob Vesty, Sales Manager UK and Ireland for Pyroban. “At 25% LEL it shuts down the protected equipment, automatically eliminating the risk of an explosion.”
 
The Pyroban safety system also includes restricted breathing enclosures, shut-off valve, stainless steel cladding for forks and surface temperature cooling to ensure the engine, motors, brakes, electrics and other components remain below the auto-ignition temperature of the flammable materials. 
 
“Pyroban has been supporting this site for many years and previously helped LANXESS transition to using trucks for Zone 2, bringing active gas detection to the operation to alert drivers in the event of a spillage or accidental release,” says Rob.
 
Paul Stansfield continues “We used to have trucks built for Zone 1 operations using a more expensive, passive system but this was less effective for our Zone 2 needs.”
 
LANXESS conducted a trial of various machines and involved all drivers in the decision-making process to check for comfort and performance. Global Materials Handling was chosen after providing the best overall product solutions and service package for LANXESS.
 
Kieron Belshaw, Sales Manager from Haydock-based truck supplier Global Materials Handling Limited explains, “LANXESS wanted trucks with hydrostatic technology so that the operators did not need to brake to slow down - they just need to take their foot off the accelerator. This is an important factor to help prevent damage and improve safety.”
 
“We have had such excellent service support from Pyroban over decades ensuring maximum availability of the trucks,” says Paul, who has been on the site for over 28 years. In 2017, LANXESS celebrated 100 years of manufacturing on the site in Baxenden.
 
To ensure ongoing compliance and safety, Global Materials Handling Limited ensures its engineers are fully trained by Pyroban and aware of the recent updates to the standard EN1755*** and ATEX. They use recommended service schedules and approved parts and have annual safety audits (Ex-ASA) scheduled with Pyroban engineers.
 
“The support from Pyroban and Global is so important to make sure that we have ongoing safety as well as truck availability to keep the reactors going and not lose any valuable production time,” Paul adds. 
 
LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with more than 19,000 employees at 74 production sites in 25 countries.  It’s core business is the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives, speciality chemicals and plastics.
 
For more information, visit www.pyroban.com, call +44(0)1273 456800 or email info@pyroban.com.
 
ENDS – 655 WORDS
 
*COMAH - Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations
 
**ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
 
***EN1755 - ‘Safety of industrial trucks. Operation in potentially explosive atmospheres. Use in flammable gas, vapour, mist and dust’

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Pyroban

 
Pyroban Ltd provides explosion protection safety solutions for industry world-wide.  The company was founded in 1969 with manufacturing facilities in the UK and regional sales and service centres.
 

About Lanxess
 
LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 9.7 billion in 2017 and about 19,200 employees in 25 countries. The company is currently represented at 74 production sites worldwide. 
 
The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives, specialty chemicals and plastics. LANXESS is listed in the leading sustainability indices Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI World and Europe) and FTSE4Good.
 

About Global Materials Handling Ltd
 
Via an expert team Global Materials Handling offers advice on both a strategic and operational level to help businesses get more from their resources. From choosing the best truck to meet the unique demands of a materials handling operation to offering a range of flexible finance packages, the company works in partnership with their customers’ teams.  This ensures that customers have all the facts to make an informed business decision, helping to make operations more efficient and profitable. 
 
Global Materials Handling Ltd is based in Haydock UK and offers service, support and spare parts to customers across the region.
 

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Hannah Patterson | T: +44 (0) 1903 207408 | hannah@molokini.co.uk

MOLOKINI MARKETING LTD | www.molokini.co.uk