ContiTech expanding conveyor belt capacity in Ponta Grossa, Brazil | Rubber News

Oct 16, 2024

FAIRLAWN, Ohio—ContiTech, one of three main business sectors for Continental A.G., has stated its intent to increase market share in both lightweight and heavy duty belting in the Americas.

True to its word, ContiTech Industrial Solutions Americas will look to significantly increase capacity at a heavy duty belt manufacturing plant in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, adding about 75,000 square feet.

"With the expansion of our plant's capacity in Ponta Grossa, we are raising the standards in the production of the world's most durable belts," said Andreas Gerstenberger, head of business area Industrial Solutions Americas at ContiTech. "Our goal is to double or even triple our production over the next few years, and by producing heavy duty steel cord conveyor belts in Brazil, we'll be able to shorten product shipping timelines."

Specifically, ContiTech Industrial Americas purchased a new cable press in Ponta Grossa, making the location the second for ContiTech to manufacture belts rated up to ST1000, considered the world's strongest belt rating.

Investment details for the expansion were not disclosed.

Known as the Phoenix Phoenocord ST10000 conveyor belt, this heavy duty belt can be manufactured in lengths weighing up to 60 metric tons.

The belts deliver "extreme durability and reliable performance with high-capacity and high-breaking strength," ContiTech said in a news release.

The belt can be used in above-ground or below-ground operations, including hard rock mining and other extreme material handling applications.

ContiTech touts the splicing methods for the belt, which have been validated by Continental on independent two-pulley splice testers, for "splice efficiencies that outperform any standard."

The belts also boast excellent impact resistance and employs Sybercord technology, steel cords that are optimized in construction and design.

Finally, the Phoenix can employ ContiTech's software and hardware for belt monitoring systems, beneficial for preventative maintenance and the overall picture they provide of belt and conveyor system health.

ContiTech recently introduced its Conti+2.0 conveyor system solution, a combination of software and hardware that can manage thousands of data points across hundreds of locations.

"Easy-to-interpret belt condition reports are objectively generated by Continental's monitoring software," ContiTech stated.

The Phoenix Phoenocord ST10000 conveyor belt is available to customers and will be on display at MINExpo International, taking place Sept. 24-26 in Las Vegas (Booth No. 10045).

"Building the additional capacity at our Ponta Grossa facility is a testament to our commitment to advancing our manufacturing capabilities utilizing the latest manufacturing technology," said Tomas Kostenec, head of operations, Industrial Solutions Americas. "By producing the world's strongest steel cord conveyor belts, we are not only meeting the rigorous demands of our customers for high strength belts, but also setting new standards in the industry."

The Brazil expansion also includes production lines for new rubber mixing, rubber blanket calendering, vulcanization and inspection technologies.

The investment allows ContiTech to "better address demand from local and international markets," and South America is the world's largest regional market for heavy steel cord belts, according to Gerstenberger.

And decentralization has been the tack for ContiTech recently, as the company looks to be closer to its customers.

While many of Continental's products—the group is divided between ContiTech, automotive and tire segments—are international, there is little question that ContiTech is bullish on the Americas.

The ContiTech segment is further divided into OE Solutions, Industrial Solutions (by the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific) and Surface Solutions.

Industrial Solutions previously was organized by product rather than geography.

ContiTech recently began construction on a new $90 million hydraulic hose production plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, further evidence of ContiTech's positive Americas forecast.

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