Modernization Pays Off!

Technologies, filtration technology included, keep progressing. As a technology
leader in solid-liquid separation, Larox continues to introduce new
modernizations and upgrade products that enable Larox users to take full
advantage of ongoing technological progress. 

There are certain situations in which modernizing the filtration equipment is
either necessary or strongly recommended. The typical lifetime of a filtration
equipment varies from 15 to 25 years, depending on the application. Given such
a long lifetime, production needs, processes and applications are likely to
change, while technologies and end-customer needs progress. Also environmental,
health and safety regulations become tighter. 

Upgrading the equipment can be the most cost-efficient way to meet the new
requirements and to prolong the lifetime of the investment. 

“Larox continuously improves and develops its products and services based on
customers' needs and feedback,” says Product Manager Sebastian Storbacka, who
is responsible for the development of Larox Modernizations. “We work in close
cooperation with universities, research institutes and suppliers that are
specialized in the filtration technology. This fruitful cooperation, coupled
with in-house research and development, results in innovations, inventions and
product improvements that are all applied to new filters. At the same time,
technology in general is progressing rapidly. We want our customers with older
equipment also to benefit from these technological advances, so we have
developed an extensive range of modernization products and services,” Storbacka
continues. 

Larox has segmented its modernization product range into upgrade modules. “The
aim is to make our services easier to understand; by organizing our product
catalogue into logical product groups, the right selection can be tailor-made
for each modernization need. Our services include modernization solutions for
filter automation, instrumentation, mechanics, hydraulics and auxiliary
equipment.” 

Maximizing Output while Minimizing Operating Costs

“Our customers benefit from modernizations in many ways,”Storbacka adds.
“Enhanced safety is one important aspect today. Modern technology always
implements the latest safety requirements. Upgrading the equipment to meet the
current standards can increase occupational safety considerably.” 

In addition to enhanced safety and overall improvements in the quality of
processes and end-products, modernizing old filters can lead to significant
increases in production capacity. 

“All Larox's modernizations aim at increasing the filter's performance. This 
can be achieved simply by expanding the filtration area, but there are many
other options as well. Upgrading the equipment is also the right solution in
order to minimize operating costs. For example, increasing automation and
control features will bring new opportunities for process optimization, leading
to reduced consumption of energy, water and other utilities. Cost savings are
achieved also through improved availability of the modernized equipment,”
Sebastian Storbacka emphasizes. 

Larox Modernizations are available for all Larox filter types and models
(Larox, Ceramec, Hoesch, Pannevis, Scanmec and Scheibler), as well as for
certain other filter brands. 

For more information, please contact your nearest Larox sales office. Complete
contact information is available online at www.larox.com.

Larox in Brief

Larox develops, designs and manufactures industrial filters and is a leading
technology company in its field. Larox is a full service solution provider in
filtration for separating solids from liquids. It supplies comprehensive
aftermarket services throughout the lifespan of the Larox solution. Companies
world-wide in mining and metallurgy, chemical processing and related industries
benefit from the Larox technologies. Larox operates in over 40 countries and
has over 600 employees. Larox has production facilities in Finland and in
China, and the Group is headquartered in Lappeenranta, Finland. Net sales in
2009 totaled 150.2 million euros, of which more than 93 % were generated by
exports and the company's foreign operations. Larox is a subsidiary of Outotec.