PETpla.net Insider 05 / 2021

COMPRESSORS PETplanet Insider Vol. 22 No. 05/21 www.petpla.net 15 Sánchez: Unfortunately, the situation worldwide is going through a hard time. Our team works daily towards sustainability and efficiency. A few months ago, we launched a new system: SynchronizAir, a unique versatile and efficient optimisation system able to coordinate different compressor brands from a single place that avoids cascade regulation. We dedicate an important budget for our R&D department and new things are in the offing. PETplanet: On your homepage you have created access to a virtual showroom. Can you briefly tell us what interested people can find there? Sánchez: We created the virtual showroom with the idea of getting closer to our customers. Unfortu- nately, last year was an unusual situation and we tried to adapt as all exhibitions were cancelled. By visiting the virtual showroom, customers can get information about our products, services network, as it you would by visiting our booth in an exhibition. PETplanet: Should the showroom be a permanent addition to the trade fair business, also post-Covid? Sánchez: Most probably this showroom will be a permanent addition to the trade fair business, also post-Covid. The pandemic has changed many things and way of doing business and approaching our customers is one of them. PETplanet: In a former Q&A with ABC, it was mentioned that increas- ingly, desiccants have to be installed with the compressors, as gases from the refrigeration dryers become a concern for major players. What is the current situation? Sánchez: It is true, and some big players have literally forbidden refrigeration dryers. However, it is also true that new eco-friendly gases are coming along and are accepted in the industry. Luckily, we can offer both refrigeration and adsorption dryers. PETplanet: We can’t talk about compressors without addressing the issue of energy costs. What saving methods are currently being used and where might there still be scope for optimisation? Sánchez: Optimisation is a must for our customers. With the VSD (variable speed drive), adapt- ing the air flow requests allow our clients to become more sustainable and efficient, being able to cut their energy cost up to 75% in unloading scenarios. We modulate the compres- sor capacity by regulating the motor speed, and therefore the piston strikes per minute, minimising the energy consumption. HRS (heat recovery system) is also regularly requested by our customers, where we can recover over 50% of the motor consumption in hot water. Our DUOO system (one compres- sor for both HP and LP simultaneous production) and the SynchronizAir, our latest releases, have been directly focused on energy savings. Our goal is to become the first compressor manufacturer that avoids unloading scenarios. PETplanet: VSD, HRS - the more regulation options a compressor has, the more complex the operation of the system becomes if you want to make full use of all the optimisation options. Has your training and service work changed over the years? Sánchez: We run ad-hoc training courses for our service agents and we arrange technical training according to their needs and characteristics of their compressor. This way, we ensure we cover not only the normal opera- tion topic, but as well the different add-ons and features they have in the compressor. PETplanet: Mechanical engi- neering companies are increasingly complaining about higher steel prices and, above all, delivery delays. Is this a problem that concerns you? Sánchez: Not really. Luckily, our region is well-known for its manufac- turing industry, and most of our suppli- ers are less than 150 km away. Even if it means higher raw material cost, it also means shorter deliveries, easy- to-handle urgent situations and less transport contamination. PETplanet: Can you tell us about recently completed projects in the PET area? Sánchez: The Horizon range was launched in 2016 and currently there are around 1,000 units running across the world. Still we are expanding our business operations worldwide and ABC is recognised as one of the main players in HP compressors for the PET industry. Our International Com- mercial Team has been increased to reinforce our presence in the market, to enable us to be closer to our cus- tomers. Many players are now considering compressor updates or replacements due to energy consumption, and here is where we have something to say. Some of the latest projects have been turnkey ones, and we are good at tailor-made solutions. PETplanet: Which projects were particularly demanding to realise? Sánchez: There have been differ- ent challenges related not only to the plant location but also to the spe- cific non-standard requests from our customers. As mentioned, our R&D budget is quite significant, and we like challenges. High altitudes, extreme temperatures, small spaces, irregular air demand, dual pressure ... PETplanet: In which regions and countries do you see the biggest potential for growth? Sánchez: Those where the popu- lation keeps increasing and produc- tion capacity lags behind: Africa, South-East Asia, the Middle East ... PETplanet: Thank you very much! Inmaculada Sánchez: “The pandemic has changed many things and especially how we do business.”