CHAINS
Chaining for the future – synthetics leads the way
Bigger, heavier, higher – this is increasingly the reality lifting and lashing experts need to deal with while increasing productivity and not compromising safety. Synthetic link chains have marked a massive leap forward for lifting and lashing technology. Lifting Africa finds out more. Ask Roan Retera, Van Beest general sales and marketing manager, why to opt for synthetic link chains and the answer are quick. “They are soft, quiet, easy to handle, and safe.”
The company manufactures Green Pin Tycan – a synthetic link chain created from the world's strongest man-made fibre, Dyneema.
is light enough for one person to work with all day long allowing one to use staff more efficiently across operations.
“It really is the next step in the evolution of chain,” he said during a recent online event where he highlighted why more and more operators were considering a move away from traditional chains.
Retera said that companies who had made the switch to synthetic chain were reporting reduced sick leave, fewer delays and lower transport costs.
According to Retera, the synthetic product has all the performance and flexibility of a steel chain but at a fraction of the weight. Noncorrosive, non-conductive and completely waterproof, it even floats. Features of synthetic chain “Synthetic chain allows companies to achieve a safer working environment for their crew. The soft touch and light weight reduce the risk of bad backs, cuts, bruises or hearing damage," said Retera. “They are also not as noisy to work with and therefore any potential hearing damaged is also reduced.” Easy to use and up to eight times lighter than a steel chain of comparable strength the product 8
Lifting Africa - Mar/Apr 2021
“Ten meters of steel chain with a load limit of five tons when weighed comes in at 38kgs. The same ten meters of synthetic chain with the same load limit only weighs 6kg. The impact on the workers carrying chains on site all day is tremendous.” Describing it as the next generation lifting equipment Retera said products made from Dyneema were also waterproof and did not absorb water and resistant to UV, oil, dirt, diesel, grease and non-oxidizing chemicals. “It can easily be cleaned with a high-pressure hose. These synthetic chains offer all-round easy use. It does not rust or corrode; it is rugged and makes for much easier working conditions.”
