WCA March 2021

Industry news

Kocks RSB commissioned at Xiangtan SBQ mill Chinese special steel producer Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron & Steel Co Ltd has started up its new SBQ mill #3. The core piece of the rolling mill is a three-roll reducing and sizing block (RSB ® ) in 5.0 design supplied by Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG, Germany.

The RSB 5.0 is designed for thermomechanical rolling, and finishes most flexible/all straight bar sizes of Ø 16 to 100mm onto the cooling bed. In addition to the RSB 5.0, Kocks’s responsibility includes the roll shop for the preparation of three-roll stands and three-roller guides, as well as the supervision services. This is the second successful installation of a three-roll Kocks RSB at Xiangtan since 2005. Friedrich Kocks GmbH & Co KG www.kocks.de

❍ The three-roll RSB operating in Xiangtan

Merger of Inhol and Melos completed In January 2018, Inhol BV, based in Soest, the Netherlands, was taken over by Melos GmbH. With the acquisition, Melos expanded its product offering of special compounds for the cable industry, strengthening its activities and portfolio. Since then, Inhol has functioned as part of and on behalf of Melos. One specialism of the company is the production of resistant compound solutions for use in extreme conditions, particularly in the fields of heat-shrink tubing and heat- and moisture- resistant compound solutions for the cable industry.

“Workforce safety is paramount, and we consistently work towards the highest safety standards. “These awards provide us with the checks and balances to make sure we are always striving for better for our business and our employees.” Metalube is part of the Bishopdale Group of industrial lubricants brands – Metalube, Molyslip and UOP. The company exports 95 per cent of its production to more than 90 countries worldwide. Metalube Ltd www.metalube.co.uk “The two business fields complement each other perfectly. In addition to existing products, we can now offer our customers an expanded portfolio of special compounds for the cable industry. “In particular, we will be able to expand our activities abroad, which will help us achieve a stronger and more competitive position on the global market for cable compounds.” Compound solutions from Inhol will continue to be available in the same quality from Melos. Melos GmbH www.melos-gmbh.com

Melos is a manufacturer of compounds for the cable industry and granules for the sports and leisure sector. Through themerger, Melos expanded its portfolio in the field of cable compounds and gained relevance as a manufacturer for the cable industry. “We are very pleased with the success- ful merger,” said Marcus Hohlweck, head of cable compounds at Melos.

In December 2020, Inhol was merged with Melos. As a result, years of cooperation in the project business and product development will move forward to the next stage. Inhol was founded in the Netherlands by Ron Goethals and Jacob Steendam in 1989.

Metalube awarded ISO 45001 Lubricant manufacturer Metalube has been granted the seal of approval, securing its latest international standard accreditation in occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems ISO 45001.

to have achieved these certifications. In times like these, it is important for us to be fully committed to health and safety, worker wellness and wellbeing. ❍ Metalube has gained accreditation for its health and safety systems

This complements the company’s existing ISO 9001 and 14001 accreditations, and was achieved due to greater OH&S performance, which involved integrating additional aspects of health and safety into the business, such as injury prevention, ill-health and worker wellness and wellbeing. Managing director Robert Brown commented, “We’re extremely proud

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March 2021