Now, Conti makes low-rolling resistance conveyor belts

ERJ staff report (DS)

Hannover, Germany - Low-hysteresis rubber compounds have been a intense topic of research over recent years, and now conveyor belts are employing similar techniques.

There was no question about the fact that our customers wanted more energy-efficient conveyor belts,” says Dr. Tobias Wennekamp, head of the Consulting and Application unit in the 'Mining World' product segment. “The contact point between the idler and the running belt is where about 70 percent of the energy is lost,” he explains. “So that's the part that harbours the greatest savings potential.”

“When it comes to saving energy, the main challenge is to find the right rubber compound,” said Wilhelm Schrand, head of Research & Development at the Conveyor Belt Group. “Our objective was to find the material with the least possible interior damping.”

After considerable work, the group has developed a compound which absorbs 25 percent less energy. Wennekamp said, ““With a conveyor system measuring 5,000 metres and with an hourly capacity of 30,000 tonnes, our new development saves 8,900 tonnes of CO₂ per year.”

Conti said a combined length of more than 140 kilometres of this new, energy-efficient conveyor belt are in operation - and the trend is upwards.

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Press release from Continental