100 years jubilee

Linatex^® Premium Rubber – protective lining for abrasive applications

1 Linatex^® Premium Rubber features a special liquid-phase compounding process

2 At the end of the liquid-phase compounding process, the rubber is prepared for the next stage of the sheet manufacturing process

3 The state-of-the-art new facility in Malaysia houses the proprietary Continuous Rubber Process, unique to Linatex^® rubber products

Linatex^® Premium Rubber, manufactured solely by Weir Minerals Malaysia, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary as proven protection against abrasion. The distinctive red rubber, renowned for its resilience, strength, resistance to wear and abrasion, offers exceptional performance in the harshest of mining and aggregate environments.

Linatex^® Premium Rubber has been field-tested in mine sites for a century, starting with the tin industry in Malaysia in the 1920’s and continuing to the present day. It is found in all the leading operations globally as protection against abrasion for expensive capital equipment – delivering best results in wear life and overall total cost of ownership. Akhbayar Enkhsaikhan, Concentrator Maintenance Manager at Oyu Tolgoi Mine, said: “This product significantly reduces material costs associated with changing out too frequently. On the cost side, most importantly, it enabled us to produce more copper.”

Weir Minerals is continually working to modernise the manufacturing process. The rubber manufacturing facility, located in Batu Caves/Malaysia, has been expanded to include a new Continuous Rubber Process (CRP2) facility, a new Banbury mixer to manufacture masticated dry rubber and additional rubber presses to support the growth within this area of the business. The proprietary formula of Linatex^® Premium Rubber includes a unique liquid compounding phase which maintains the natural state and characteristics of the 95 % natural rubber product. The formula has remained unchanged since it was developed and patented in 1923 by Bernard Wilkinson. To ensure a consistent high-quality product, Linatex^® Premium Rubber routinely undergoes rigorous testing throughout the entire manufacturing and delivery process.

The natural and renewable resource (pure latex is 100 % sap of the rubber tree) is complemented by sustainable processes, minimal waste and a renewable solar energy system at the site. Stephen Frendt, Managing Director Weir Minerals Malaysia, reports: “Firstly, Linatex rubber is a very natural product based on 95 % natural rubber latex. Secondly, the process in which it is manufactured is very sustainable: very little effluent, very little waste. More broadly across the site, we have implemented a range of sustainability initiatives such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting and a rubber recycling program.”