Atlas Copco to produce its most energy-efficient compressor in South America

São Paulo, Brazil, 8 October, 2008. Atlas Copco has announced that the next stop on the worldwide compressor energy efficiency ‘road show’ will be São Paulo, Brazil. From 21-24 October 2008, industrial customers, journalists and sales staff from South America and Mexico will gather to discover its most energy-efficient oil-injected compressors, Atlas Copco’s new GA 90-160 kW range. Production will be launched in the company’s production facility in São Paulo to meet growing Brazilian demand for industrial air compressors.

The road show allows Atlas Copco customers (some of the continent’s largest power plants, mining, shipping, cement, glass and tire manufacturing companies) to discover the innovations which led to the net reduction in energy consumption of the new GA range of compressors. The compressors and their redesigned screw element (responsible for a reduction of 5 to 6% in energy requirements), as well as the newly launched, highly energy-efficient FD 310-510 refrigerant air dryer range, will be on show in São Paulo.

The Specific Energy Requirement (SER) of the new Atlas Copco GA range (3.5 to 14 bar(e)) is best-in-class, using up to 11% less electricity than the previous GA models. The new GA 160 VSD offers the widest free air delivery (FAD) turndown range and is the first oil-injected compressor range in the world to integrate the water separator into the compressed air cooling system. The new GA is Atlas Copco’s first air compressor to offer VSD-controlled cooling fans and with the integration of its patented Saver Cycle Control, the GA is able to operate in ambient temperatures of up to 55 degrees centigrade, at a maximum noise level of 71 dBA. Furthermore Atlas Copco doubled the lifetime for the oil filter and the air inlet filter, directly impacting operating costs and compressor runtime. A wide range of industries using oil-injected compressors are concerned by the energy savings associated with adoption of the new technology.

A celebration of the upcoming production launch in Brazil, the road show will include on-site compressed air system demonstrations, customer testimonials, presentations of customer benefits and a live multimedia performance which explores - in 3D - the key design innovations of the compressor. Atlas Copco managers and engineers from all Atlas Copco’s South American Customer Centers will be on hand to answer questions.

“We take pride in the fact that we have been selected to produce Atlas Copco’s most technologically advanced compressor,” says Carlos Frateschi, General Manager, Atlas Copco Brazil. “We are certified ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and our compressors pass the world’s most stringent quality tests. Our engineers have been impatient to start adapting the production lines for what represents such an important advance in terms of environmental performance.” Over the past years, the Swedish company has invested a great deal in its Brazilian operations, which it considers strategic to serving the South American market.

The previous European road show stop drew over 370 journalists, customers and sales staff from 24 different countries. The road show will continue to Asia in the coming months. Interested customers wishing to participate should contact their local Atlas Copco Customer Center in order to request an invitation.

Atlas Copco is a world leading provider of industrial productivity solutions. The products and services range from compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems, to related aftermarket and rental. In close cooperation with customers and business partners, and with more than 130 years of experience, Atlas Copco innovates for superior productivity. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the Group’s global reach spans more than 150 markets. In 2005, Atlas Copco had 27 000 employees and revenues of BSEK 53 (MEUR 5 600). Learn more at www.atlascopco.com.

Oil-free Air is a division within Atlas Copco's Compressor Technique business area. It develops, manufactures, and markets oil-free air compressors for all kind of industries worldwide where the air quality is vital, and oil-injected compressors for less critical applications. The division focuses on air optimization systems and quality air solutions to further improve customers’ productivity. The divisional headquarters and main production center are located in Antwerp, Belgium.

A press conference will take place on 21 October, 2008 in, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil. High-resolution color photographs of the new GA and the European launch are available for download on the Atlas Copco website http://www.airforwinners.com.

Atlas Copco has issued the press release in the following languages:

• English

• Portuguese (Brasilian)

Published date: 2008-10-31 09:00