Continental, a global leader in automotive and industrial technologies, recently announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing plant in Ponta Grossa, Brazil. This facility will now produce heavy-duty steel cord conveyor belts, including those rated up to ST10000, which is recognized as the world’s strongest belt rating. The expansion positions Continental’s ContiTech sector to better serve the demanding needs of various industries, particularly in extreme conditions.
Andreas Gerstenberger, head of Industrial Solutions Americas at Continental, expressed excitement about the enhanced capabilities of the Ponta Grossa plant. He stated, “With the expansion of our plant’s capacity, we are raising the standards in the production of the world’s most durable belts.” The company aims to double or even triple its production in the coming years. By producing these belts locally in Brazil, Continental intends to shorten shipping times and improve service for customers across South America, a key market for heavy steel cord belts.
The expansion project includes the installation of advanced production lines equipped with cutting-edge technologies for rubber mixing, calendaring, vulcanization, and inspection. This investment reflects Continental's commitment to manufacturing excellence. Tomas Kostenec, head of operations for Industrial Solutions Americas, emphasized that these enhancements would not only meet customer demands for high-strength belts but also set new industry standards.
Among the flagship products being produced is the Phoenix Phoenocord ST10000 conveyor belt, which can be manufactured in lengths weighing up to 60 metric tons. With decades of research and development, these belts are designed to withstand extreme applications in industries such as hard rock mining and heavy material handling. Their robust construction ensures durability and high-breaking strength, making them ideal for various environments, both above and below ground.
The Phoenix Phoenocord ST10000 conveyor belts boast several advanced features. They utilize lifelong splice methods that ensure dynamic splice efficiencies exceeding industry standards. The belts exhibit exceptional impact resistance due to advanced cover compounds and superior adhesion from the insulation gum, providing the necessary durability for demanding applications. Additionally, the unique Sybercord technology offers optimized cord design, ensuring unmatched reliability.
To further enhance product performance, Continental incorporates belt monitoring systems that provide comprehensive insights into conveyor belt health. These monitoring tools can adapt to the typical changes that occur throughout a belt’s lifecycle, delivering easy-to-interpret condition reports generated by advanced monitoring software. This focus on maintenance and performance ensures that customers can rely on Continental products for their most challenging operational needs.
