SABIC, the major plastics, chemicals and innovative plastics producer in Europe, has been using the Netherlocks Power Wrench as an effective and efficient alternative to multiple actuators for operating its hand wheel valves. The two companies have also cooperated to produce a video about how it can be used to save time, effort and cost: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYLPu5yeR-I

Using pneumatic pressure (4-8 bar) the Atex-certified Power Wrench is a mobile tool for operating any size of handwheel valve, with up to 515 Nm of torque available to the user with a twist of the throttle - making light work of even the heaviest handwheels. "It really allows me to do my job faster and more easily - which is great because I'm not that young any more!" explained G Knepper (Dayshift Operator, HDPE Polymers - Production) of SABIC Europe B.V.

Weighing only 10.2 kg, Netherlocks has designed the Power Wrench to be easily portable and operable by anyone, and has integrated, enforced '2-hands' operation for added safety.

J. Habets (Senior Dayshift Operator, HDPE Polymers - Production) of SABIC Europe commented: "SABIC's relationship with Netherlocks is very good. The people there are very cooperative and always look for a suitable solution to the various valve safety issues we experience. The Power Wrench is a great device for us, because we can open and close our manually operated valves much more quickly and safely."

Based in the Netherlands, Netherlocks is a leading supplier of safety and valve control systems for major industrial operations as well as smaller firms. The company's mechanically enforced procedures minimise the risk of human error in production and maintenance processes which could otherwise be dangerous and costly.

Nitul Sanghvi, India Sales Manager, Netherlocks Safety Systems. Mobile: +91 98795 59345. Email: nsanghvi@netherlocks.com