Chemical Technology March 2015

35 / 40

33
Chemical Technology • March 2015
focus on petrochemicals
FOCUS ON
SUPPLY CHAIN
MANAGEMENT
Barcode printer manufacturer cab is setting new standards in devel-
oping and manufacturing devices and systems for product labelling
and product marking.
This German-based company boasts sales and service subsid-
iaries in seven countries and more than 500 partners in over 80
countries. Technical sales manager for southern Africa, Rudie Buys,
affirms the company’s support for the region’s customers. “cab
provides on-the-spot support for our customers in chemical, food,
agricultural and manufacturing industries, who rely on our high
quality standards,” he stated.
On June 1, 2015 a new global systemwill be adopted for labelling
in the chemical industry, known as the Globally Harmonized System
(GHS) of Chemical Labelling. This initiative is a system developed by
the United Nations (UN) to strengthen international efforts concern-
ing environmentally sound management of chemicals.
The USA Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s new
labelling requirements are expected to have the greatest impact on
internationally-based chemical manufacturers, with few mandatory
changes proposed for other general chemical storage. HCS targets
chemical manufacturers and importers to ensure their chemical
containers will display a label similar to those now used in Europe
and many other Globally Harmonised System (GHS) adopters, be-
ginning June 1, 2015.
The GHS-inspired standards will require chemical manufacturers
and exporters to label chemical containers with (1) a harmonised
signal word (2) GHS pictogram(s) (3) a hazard statement for each
hazard class and category and (4) a precautionary statement.
cab’s sales manager for the southern Africa region, Julian Power,
Industrial gas continues to play a pivotal role
in the growth of Eastern Cape industry, evi-
denced by Air Products South Africa’s supply
to the local market for the past six months
of uninterrupted supply of industrial gases.
The industrial gas company was com-
menting on its contribution to Eastern Cape
industry following the launch of its R300
million air separation unit (ASU) in the Coega
Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in Novem-
ber last year.
As the first to market in the Eastern Cape,
Air Products is able to deliver security of sup-
ply of liquid oxygen and nitrogen, meeting the
needs of local industry and offering improved
levels of customer service, according to Pierre
Fourie, Sales Manager: Eastern Cape for Air
Products.
“Our air separation unit supplies liquid
oxygen and liquid nitrogen in bulk by road
tankers across the Eastern Cape. We also
supply the full range of industrial and specialty
gases. Depending on volume requirements
and specific applications, gases are supplied
in cylinders, mini-tanks, maxi-tanks and
CryoEase,“ he says.
“As gas is a vital part of virtually every
industrial process, the importance of security
of supply cannot be overstated. We are able
to match current market demand and have
capacity to scale up production in line with
growing demand in the region.”
The company’s identified markets for
growth, including automotive and component
manufacturing and fabrication, food and bev-
erage, agro-processing and their related value
chains, were well aligned with the sectors
prioritised for growth in the Eastern Cape’s
provincial industrial development strategy.
“Liquid oxygen and nitrogen play a key role
in the metals processing sector for cutting and
laser applications. Metals processing sup-
ports diverse industries, including the manu-
facture of renewable energy components
– another key sector where the Eastern Cape
is driving industrial growth,” continued Fourie.
Air Products distributes liquid nitrogen and
liquid oxygen by its newly-upgraded fleet of
road tankers across the Eastern Cape, and
provides on-site back-up storage for critical
customers.
The Coega ASU represents the latest
developments in air separation technology
in order to deliver optimal energy efficiency
and maximum product output capacity, at a
reasonable cost of production.
“Our supply chain efficiencies, develop-
ments in air separation technology and
growing customer base are complementing
Air Products’ long-standing footprint in the
region,” commented Arthi Govender – Market
Research and Strategy Manager. “We believe
that through our investment in Coega, we
have not only proven our commitment to our
customers in the Eastern Cape region, but we
have also established our gas as pivotal to a
multitude of industrial processes.
The quality of our technology, coupled with
our long-term security of supply will make
a positive contribution to economic growth
of the region for many years to come,” she
concluded.
For more information contact Kendal Hunt on
tel: +27 11 462 6188 or email
z
Labelling solutions from cab for chemicals, food, agriculture and manufacturing
Secure supply of industrial gas supports broad range of industrial processes
confirmed that cab has the technology to help customers switch
to the new GHS standards. “Our XC series label printers meet the
conditions for the Classification and Labelling Inventory according
to GHS”, he pointed out.
“In addition, our two-colour printing in one pass is another first
for cab,” Power continued. “While most companies rely on pre-
printed or partly pre-printed labels, we can provide a solution that
allows full variable data printing with all the attached benefits.
“This is especially popular because of the low cost per print
and the ability to print high quality variable information as well
as bar codes. What this means is that a customer can keep
blank labels in stock and print only as needed, with batch and
sequential numbering”.
For more information contact Julian Power at or
tel: +27 11 886 0307. z
Air Products South Africa produces
110 tons per day of liquid oxygen
and nitrogen for supply to diverse
customers in the Eastern Cape.