Industrial machinery provider Metso is expanding its global manufacturing capacity for rubber screening media used in mineral processing by investing €1.7- million in three new injection presses.

Demand for Metso’s screening media has grown in the mining segment after the 2016 introduction of its 305 mm × 305 mm modular screening media, the Trellex 305PS. The new presses will be installed at Metso’s facilities in Australia, India and Sweden by early 2018 and the company is confident that this investment will significantly increase its global rubber screening media manufacturing capacity to meet this demand. Metso serves the South African market through its office in Johannesburg.

“Uptime and availability mean the world to our customers. A mine can easily consume thousands of screening media modules in a year. During maintenance, the right modules simply have to be at the right place at the right time. With this investment, we can answer our customers’ needs and ensure on-time delivery,” says Metso screening media product manager Claes Larsson in a March press statement.

The 305 mm × 305 mm screening media module size is standard in major mining markets, owing to safety and compatibility reasons. Metso made the decision to include the size in its Trellex product range based on customer demand.

“We are already the number one service partner for the mining industry. Complementing our extensive wear parts portfolio with an industry standard, such as 305 mm × 305 mm screening media, is a natural step in strengthening this position,” says Metso crushing and screening wears senior VP Jose Perez.

At 305 mm × 305 mm, the Trellex 305PS conforms to the most widely used modular standard in the world for rubber screening media. The rubber and polyurethane compounds used in the product are the result of decades of dedicated research and development and, says Metso, are unique to the company.

These highly flexible materials are unbeatable in fighting blinding and pegging – when fine, sticky material or irregular-shaped material causes blockages in the screen apertures – while the robust, heavy-duty steel inserts extend wear life. The sturdy pin and sleeve attachment system, moreover, makes change-outs easy, with the company highlighting that all this adds up to increased availability and uptime for the customer.

“We are the only supplier able to provide everything that a mine needs in a comminution circuit, from spare and wear parts to equipment and service,” notes Perez.

He adds that, with this latest investment, Metso will expand its manufacturing footprint to be better able to serve its customers efficiently and conveniently, and aim for shorter lead times and reduced inventory requirements.

As a part of its commitment to availability and short lead times, Metso is prepared to make further investments in screening media manufacturing, if the demand continues to grow.