Polyurethane enhances sustainable mining growth

Swagath Urethane has led polyurethane innovation in mining for over 20 years, providing long-lasting solutions that improve productivity and sustainability while solving the particular difficulties of severe mining settings.

How long have you participated in IMME, and how do these events contribute to the growth of the mining industry?
We’ve been participating since about 2000 or 2002. Since then, the festival has grown significantly. It began at a small venue in Calcutta but has grown tremendously. This year, they even relocated the venue to a new location in New Town, demonstrating its incredible expansion.

What mining challenges does polyurethane address, and how does Swagath Urethane technology stand out?
Polyurethane applications in mining were initially limited, and manufacturing technology was unavailable in India. At the time, we encountered numerous challenges. We travelled abroad, attended exhibitions and seminars, and returned with things to try home. We worked with prominent firms such as Tata Steel and NMDC, who first accepted our product. Other players, including Jindal, JSW, and JSPL, eventually adopted it. The introduction of polyurethane uses in mining began in the late 1990s, around 1996-97. At the time, a few companies, including ours, were active in this field. Today, however, there are several parties and applications in the industry.

How has your polyurethane product evolved from the 1990s to 2024?
Polyol, the primary basic material for polyurethane, was in short supply in India. However, many multinational firms now have a presence in India, making it easier to get raw materials. We can readily source raw materials for any purpose and continue to create products as needed. Since then, we’ve been importing raw materials from the United States, and these firms now have offices and technological centres in India, which help us improve our products.

How do your products differ from those of your competitors?
With over 20 to 25 years of market experience, top companies trust and use our technology. These companies rely on and frequently buy our products.

How do your polyurethane mining screens and hydrocyclones perform in extreme conditions, and how do they enhance operational efficiency?
Polyurethane is frequently utilised in harsh situations, including high-abrasion environments in the mining industry. Because each mineral has distinct properties and particle sizes, various types of polyurethane are required for optimal functioning. Our plant has a lab where we examine mineral samples to determine their qualities, durability, and compatibility with different raw materials. This enables us to select the best material and decide the perfect form and size for each application. Over time, we gradually replaced metal screening media with polyurethane, extending product life and reducing noise. As a result, polyurethane is progressively replacing metal in many applications.

What testing and quality control measures does Swagath Urethane use to ensure the durability of its screen panels, rollers, and liners for the mining industry?
Initially, we tested in external government labs, but this caused numerous obstacles, including time limits and daily testing requirements. We now have in-house capabilities that allow us to test each batch produced. Each day’s production is tested in-house to ensure quality before proceeding with component fabrication.

Are there any regulatory standards by the government?
We adhere to regulatory norms regarding garbage disposal. Although there are no explicit standards governing our raw materials, we take precautions due to their dangerous and skin-irritating features, developing our safety measures to ensure their proper handling.

How do your products enhance sustainability by reducing downtime, minimising environmental impact, and extending the lifespan of mining equipment?
Previously, they purchased metal screens for specific panels around five to six times a year. After replacing them with polyurethane panels, they only need to buy them twice or thrice per year. This improvement has decreased metal waste and dumping, increased panel lifespan, and helped to ensure environmental sustainability.

Looking ahead, what are some of the key trends you foresee in the polyurethane market for mining applications?
A new trend is the rising popularity of polyurethane liners, with more companies offering polyurethane solutions. Polyurethane is becoming more popular in the mining industry due to its durability and low downtime, resulting in increased reliance on this material.

Are you planning to launch any new polyurethane products?
We produced innovative items for the mining industry, such as magnetic polyurethane patch plates. These plates can temporarily seal punctures in metal pipelines during off-hours, preventing leakage. Furthermore, we developed pyramid screens that increase the opening area of dewatering screens, allowing for greater performance while remaining the same size. These inventions highlight our most recent advancements in polyurethane goods.

For more information, visit: https://swagathurethane.com/