Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) has supplied its tenth machine to the largest mine in Finland owned by Talvivaara Mining Company Plc. To commemorate the delivery of the EH3500ACII dump truck, a handover ceremony was held on-site at the Talvivaara mine near Sotkamo, 600km north of Helsinki.

The keys of the dump truck were presented by the Director and Chairman of the Board of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (HCM), Shungo Dazai, to Talvivaara CEO Pekka Perä. The handover event was also attended by HCME President and Managing Director Mitsuhiro Tabei and senior personnel from the official dealer in Finland, Rotator.

Since production began at the mine in October 2008, Rotator has supplied Talvivaara with an on-site parts supply, and a parts and service team of 19 people. They are responsible for the service and maintenance of the two Hitachi EX3600-6BE excavators and eight EH3500ACII dump trucks now operational at the Talvivaara mine.

The mineral resource of Talvivaara is located in two polymetallic deposits, Kuusilampi and Kolmisoppi, which contain an estimated 1,004million tonnes of ore. The deposits are mined as large open pits to produce nickel, and zinc, copper and cobalt as by-products.

The latest addition to Talvivaara’s fleet represents a significant investment in Hitachi construction machinery. It is one of many milestones reached by the company since it was established in 2003.

The company’s current focus is to increase production to achieve its overall aim of becoming one of the world’s significant low-cost base metal producers. In June, a second production line was due to start and the company expects the annual production rate to exceed 30,000 tonnes by the end of 2010. It continues to believe the full-scale production target of approximately 50,000 tonnes per annum will be achievable in 2012. The company is also evaluating the commercial extraction of manganese and uranium as additional by-products.

Source: http://www.hcme.com/en/content/view/full/4501

As a result of the transaction, McClung-Logan has now added Volvo compaction and milling products to its existing portfolio, which prior to the acquisition already included wheel loaders, excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders, compact wheel loaders and excavators, skid steer and backhoe loaders.

The purchase was announced in a statement by Tom Logan, President of McClung-Logan. “The transition from the Elkridge VCES store to our dealership will be seamless and uninterrupted,” said Tom Logan. “We welcome customers of the Elkridge VCES branch to our dealership, where they will receive the very best of service, product, and support that Volvo Construction Equipment and McClung-Logan have to offer.

While a transition plan is established, VCES Elkridge, MD will remain operational on a limited basis to support its customers with Skyjack, Ingersoll Rand Tool & Hoist, Club Car and Solar Tech products.

< P>Source:http://www.volvo.com/constructionequipment/na/en-us/newsmedia/pressreleases/NewsItem.htm?channelId=2377&ItemID=86808&sl=en-gb

The new EPA-certified Volvo D11 Tier 4i engine with V-ACT (Volvo-Advanced Combustion Technology) is built with ultra high pressure variable fuel injection systems, super efficient cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), precise variable-geometry turbo (VGT) turbocharger controls, a powerful new engine management system (EMS), and an integrated exhaust after treatment system, equipped with a particulate filter and thermal regenerator.

“Volvo Construction Equipment is meeting the emission requirements of the new standards by continuing to engineer and develop engines of the highest quality and reliability and with the greatest performance and productivity accomplishments on the market today,” said John Bartz, Director, Product Assurance and Regulation, Volvo Construction Equipment North America, Inc.

When fully integrated with the rest of the Volvo powertrain, these engines offer even greater market-leading advantages in construction equipment operations. The results from highly-advanced engineering achievements have been increased combustion efficiency, engine response and performance, power capacity, and the required emissions reductions.

Similar emissions regulations have already been enforced in the on-highway truck sector since 2007 and – as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of diesel engines in the 9-18 liter range for both on-road and off-road operation – Volvo has previously developed EPA certified technological solutions for sister companies Volvo Trucks and Volvo Penta. This vast experience – not to mention the millions of hours of real world testing – has proven invaluable in producing off-highway engine systems to comply with the Tier 4i emissions legislation.

< P>Source:http://www.volvo.com/constructionequipment/na/en-us/newsmedia/pressreleases/NewsItem.htm?channelId=2377&ItemID=86725&sl=en-gb

Rapid fluctuations in currency exchange rates have a significant impact on corporate activity including that of the automotive industry because of the global scale of its operations.

A case in point is the recent appreciation of the Japanese yen against other major world currencies to levels exceeding all projections. If sustained, this trend will adversely affect automotive production and employment in Japan, and cause increased apprehension on the part of the industry in regard to the yen’s future prospects.

Our industry therefore hopes that the Japanese government will work towards foreign-exchange stability under a framework of international cooperation. We also look forward to appropriate and timely economic management on the part of the government to help ensure that the current business recovery can complete its course, thus enabling continued future growth.

Source: http://www.jama-english.jp/release/comment/2010/100809.html

Tokyo, Japan- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), in consortium with Foster Wheeler Energy Limited of the UK, has received an order from E.ON UK plc, to support the front-end engineering design (FEED) for a post-combustion carbon dioxide (CO2) capture plant proposed as part of E.ON’s planned new supercritical coal-fired power station in Kent, England, UK. The order comes on the heels of the earlier pre-FEED phase awarded by E.ON UK in June 2009. It follows the recent announcement by the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change that E.ON has progressed to the next stage of it’s competition comprised of a FEED study. E.ON UK is one of two groups competing in the UK Government’s competition to build one of the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture and storage demonstration plants.

E.ON plans to build a CCS facility at its proposed new Kingsnorth Power Station in Kent. The planned new 1,600 MW (megawatt) supercritical coal-fired power generation plant will replace the existing coal-fired units. E.ON plans to separate, recover and compress the CO2 from the coal-fired flue gas and to store it within a depleted gas reservoir in the North Sea.

The overall FEED activities will further develop the proposed CO2 capture and compression project at Kingsnorth and will involve engineering and design studies, following which the competition winner will be selected by the UK Government.

MHI’s CO2 recovery technology is known as the KM-CDR Process™. It uses the company’s proprietary KS-1 solvent for CO2 absorption and desorption, which MHI and the Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. developed jointly. MHI’s KM-CDR Process requires considerably lower energy consumption than other technologies and its performance has been highly evaluated. To date MHI has delivered seven commercial plants for CO2 recovery from natural gas-fired flue gas - besides two plants are currently being designed and constructed - making MHI the leader in large-scale CO2 recovery facilities.

In the area of CO2 recovery from coal-fired flue gas, which contains more impurities, MHI has already conducted small-scale demonstration testing for CO2 recovery from coal-fired flue gas at 10 tons/day from 2006 through 2008, and confirmed uninterrupted stable operation. The company is also constructing a 500 tons/day demonstration plant for Southern Company, which is targeted to begin operation in 2011.

For its participation in the CCS demonstration project calling for CO2 recovery from the flue gas of a coal-fired generation plant, MHI looks to propose a reliable and economically viable technology that is applicable to large-scale CCS for coal-fired plants. Simultaneously it aims to vigorously pursue business expansion in this area while also contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

Source: http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/story/1008051370.html

Tokyo, Japan - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) is planning to launch production of gear cutting machines in China at a facility that will simultaneously serve as a production base for other company business. MHI has determined to build a new plant on the premises of Changshu Ryoju Machinery Co., Ltd. (CRM) in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, an existing local production base for the company’s rubber tire machinery; the new facility will serve both for production of gear manufacturing equipment and for expanded production of rubber tire machinery. Adoption of this “shared factory” scheme will enable the company’s gear machinery business to launch local production swiftly and cost-effectively. Production of gear cutting machines at the new plant is slated to commence in March 2011. The initiative will mark the implementation of MHI’s first shared factory scheme for launching overseas production.

MHI decided to launch production of gear cutting machines in China in expectation of large demand from Chinese automobile manufacturers, where output has been expanding rapidly. MHI will initially manufacture its best-selling GE15A Dry Cut Gear Hobbing Machine at the new plant. By securing the same technological features and high quality as in corresponding machines being produced in Japan, the company intends to expand sales to manufacturers of high-precision, small-size gears for automobiles, motorcycles, decelerators, etc. The company looks to produce 40 units during the first year, and 100 units by the fourth year.

In addition to being equipped with various gear cutting machine manufacturing equipment, including assembly and measurement-related facilities, the new plant will also have a showroom to exhibit the machine as well as to accommodate test-cutting requests from potential customers. Plans call for construction to begin this month and be completed next February. To expand production of rubber tire machinery, besides the equipment installations in the new plant, a 5-face machining center will be installed in the main CRM plant.

CRM is an affiliate of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (China) Co., Ltd., the regional headquarters established in Beijing to oversee MHI’s business in China. Production at CRM got under way this past March. Supported by China’s rapid advancements in motorization, production has been expanding smoothly, to the extent that further production capability is now needed. The aim of MHI’s Machine Tool Division, which has been seeking to establish a local production base in China, meshed with CRM’s plant expansion plan.

Sharing of factories simultaneously used for other company business operations enables efficient location of production bases and also trims the time and costs required for setting up a new company. At the same time, the shared factory scheme also enables enhanced local procurement capability by commoditizing supply chains and stabilization of business by absorbing the impact of sharp demand fluctuations for specific products through production of multiple product types.

MHI sees production of gear manufacturing equipment at CRM as a pilot case of its shared factory scheme. Going forward the company intends to apply the scheme to promote further enhancement and expansion of its overseas production plants.

Source: http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/story/1008021369.html

Tokyo, Japan: Hitachi, Ltd. announced that together with Poland-based construction company Energomontaz Polnoc S.A. (EMP) it has won an order to supply denitrification equipment from Vattenfall Heat Poland S.A, a subsidiary of Vattenfall AB in Sweden. The denitrification equipment, which removes nitrous oxide (NOx) from flue gas, is for the No. 10, 11, 14 and 15 units of the Siekierki Combined Heat and Power Plant operating on the outskirts of Warsaw. This denitrification equipment is the first to be supplied under a denitrification equipment contract to a Polish power company. The order is worth approximately 4.0 billion yen, and plans call for the taking over progressively from 2012.

European countries have decided to tighten regulations governing emissions of NOx and sulfur oxide (SOx) from thermal power plants from January 2016. Consequently, power companies in many European countries are now taking steps to add denitrification and desulfurization equipment to their power plants.

Hitachi has been manufacturing denitrification and desulfurization equipment since the 1960s at subsidiary Babcock-Hitachi K.K. Hitachi’s denitrification equipment has won plaudits for the performance of the proprietary plate-type catalysts. Its desulfurization equipment, meanwhile, is used in thermal power plants throughout the world, including equipment installed in units No. 4 to No. 10 of the Kozienice power plant in Poland.

The Siekierki Combined Heat and Power Plant, to which Hitachi will supply denitrification equipment, is located in the southwestern part of Warsaw. The coal-fired combined heat and power plant generates a total of 622 MWe of electricity and supplies 2,014 MWt of heat. Hitachi will supply denitrification equipment to be attached to units No. 10, 11, 14 and 15 of this power plant.

These four units together generate 441 MWe of electricity and 768 MWt of heat. Hitachi believes that this first-ever order for denitrification equipment from a Polish power company recognizes the outstanding performance of its DeNOx catalysts and its track record supplying desulfurization equipment in Poland. Babcock-Hitachi will design the denitrification equipment, manufacture and supply the major equipment, serve as project manager and conduct trial operations. Meanwhile, EMP will be responsible for civil engineering and installation work as well as for manufacturing some equipment.

Hitachi is actively developing its business to respond to demand stemming from stricter environmental regulations around the world, and is determined to contribute to protection of the environment with its outstanding environmental technologies.

Source: http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/100805.html

US - Part of the growing line of Volvo high-reach demolition excavators, the EC460CHR features an 89-foot-7-inch boom and arm. The excavator is supplied with both high-reach demolition boom and standard excavator configuration digging boom / arm and a changeover process that takes as little as 30 minutes. Also standard is a transportation cradle for both configurations. This provides greater versatility for owners, allowing the machine to remain useful and productive beyond high-reach applications.

The EC460CHR boasts enhanced engine power and torque, along with efficient slew speed and torque. The excavator also provides exactly tailored hydraulic flow and pressure output, allowing operators to get the most out of high-reach attachments such as pulverizers, grapples, crushers, hammers and shears. Speed from the Volvo 329 horsepower engine is matched to hydraulic flow, maximizing efficiency on combined operations such as lifting and slewing. Maximum attachment weight is 2.5 tons.

The standard hydraulically tilting operator cab leans back up to 30 degrees. This provides operators with better visibility, along with reduced fatigue and neck strain when working on high-reach applications. Another important feature is the optional, reversible fan that helps purge debris and airborne particles from the coolers, reducing cleaning and maintenance time. Micro-mesh screens are also fitted to side doors and on the engine cowl.

When the going gets tough
The Volvo EC460CHR boasts demolition-grade strength throughout — ensuring durability and longer life. The cab and operator are protected by a frame-mounted falling object guard (FOG) and a side impact protection system is fitted on the superstructure. For extra machine protection, the side doors are double thickness and the boom cylinder guard shields the rods, cylinders and piping. Undercarriage protection includes full-length track chain guards, 0.3 inch thick under-plating with bolt-head protection, 0.3 inch swing-ring guard and service panels that feature recessed hinges that won’t catch on debris or their surroundings.

Other features of the Volvo EC460CHR
Performance and operating efficiency: A modular joint system uses two hydraulically operated pins to release the digging equipment and quickly change from the high-reach demolition boom to a standard excavator configuration. The Volvo engine delivers high torque at low engine speeds, while the optional hydraulically variable undercarriage width aids transportation when contracted and stability when extended. An optional boom-mounted camera also increases productivity when working in high-reach operations.

Operator comfort and safety: The EC460CHR features Volvo’s industry-leading Care Cab for increased operator comfort and reduced fatigue. Positioned on rubber mounts to reduce vibration, the sound-dampened cab offers a large, roomy and uncluttered operator space. An easy-to-read instrument panel provides operators with an overview of all gauges, controls and warnings. Meanwhile, a boom-mounted Total Moment Indicator provides a warning if the machine is approaching its maximum safe working load, and both forward and rear-view cameras increase jobsite safety.

Serviceability: Ground level service access makes inspection and servicing quick and easy, with the ability to change the oil, fuel and water separator filters, as well as drain the oil and access the hydraulic pump from the ground. The cab air filter is located outside the cab for easy routine checks, while fuses are protected in a sealed, ground-level steel box behind the cab. The sloped track frame design allows for self-cleaning of mud and debris, and track links are lifetime greased and sealed.

< P>Source:http://www.volvo.com/constructionequipment/na/en-us/newsmedia/pressreleases/NewsItem.htm?channelId=2377&ItemID=86215&sl=en-gb

US - “As the pace of business continues to accelerate, the ability for organizations to mobilize the workforce has become critical for success,” said Nick Mavrick, Vice President of Marketing for Volvo Rents. “The launch of our free iPhone application is an exciting development, as we upgrade the way we connect with the world.”

“The application is designed to provide easily accessible information to our customers, our franchisees, approved vendors and salespeople,” said Patrick Farley, who managed the development project for the iPhone application.

By clicking on the app, Volvo Rents customers have access to important rental equipment information including equipment make, model number and equipment specification information hard-coded within the application. For example, customers can access detailed rental product information on over 100 aerial work platforms and reach forklifts items.

Franchise owners can login and access data straight out of their Rental Management System. The iPhone app eliminates the need for Volvo Rents employees in the field to carry a laptop, a data card and a pile of product brochures. “Our goal was to remove the barriers between Volvo Rents employees and the real-time data they require,” added Farley. “With this new technology, we have achieved our goal, at the same time substantially reducing costs for all parties involved.”

A range of other features include a GPS Store Finder which allows iPhone users to find their five closest Volvo Rents stores using GPS technology, as well as downloadable equipment brochures and an integrated RSS Feed that highlights relevant industry news.

“There’s an iPhone application for pretty much anything these days. From checking the weather to playing games, getting deals on food and drink to checking your flight status,” Mavrick added. “Now, also the construction industry lives in the palm of your hand.”

The application is available for download in Apple’s “iTunes App Store.”

< P>Source:http://www.volvo.com/constructionequipment/na/en-us/newsmedia/pressreleases/NewsItem.htm?channelId=2377&ItemID=86198&sl=en-gb