Yokohama rolls out flame-resistant conveyor belts for steel, power plants

TOKYO—Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) launched a new flame-retardant, "super-wear resistant" conveyor belt for use in harsh industrial environments.

YRC developed the Flame Guard SWR-70 for use in sintered ore and coke transport lines at steel plants, as well as transport lines at coal-fired power plants, the group said in a December press release.

The belt is self-extinguishing, a quality for which demand has increased in recent years for safety enhancement, the Japan-based manufacturer said. The product also features improved abrasion resistance, extending the belt replacement intervals and reducing running costs.

According to YRC, the new conveyor belt is 30-percent more wear resistant than its predecessor: the Flame Guard SWR.

YRC described conveyor belts has a "strong business domain" in its Transformation 2023 (YX2023) medium-term plan.

As part of the plan, the group's industrial rubber MB segment will concentrate its resources on two key businesses of hose/couplings and industrial products to generate stable profits.

The MB segment's industrial materials business aims to establish "a dominant presence in the conveyor belt market, where it has had considerable success in the past," YRC added.