Alfa Laval's positive R&D position

Part of a £5.3million investment programme, Alfa Laval Pump's new R&D centre in Eastbourne was officially opened at the beginning of June.

The purpose-built centre, adjacent to the company's manufacturing facility for positive displacement pumps, has doubled R&D capacity and increased the company's service facilities.

A 500m3 water tank enables high capacity testing, while an 11m deep well provides for maximum suction lift evaluations. A separate area is dedicated to long-term continuous testing for large pumps such as the SSP rotary lobe units with 300mm port size and flow rates up to 680m3/h.

{{PROJECTS

Company Contractor Product StatusLocation Value Capacity Completion

HOME

Bonar Polymers Kvaerner JB Acrylic polymers Main contractorNewton Aycliffe, Co Durham Not disclosed Expansion by 40% October 1998

ABROAD

ARCO Products Jacobs Eng Polypropylene EPC servicesLos Angeles, USA $300million 200,000tpa Q1 1999

Bayer Kvaerner JB Polycarbonate TurneyBaytown /Bisphenol-ATexas $150million 54,000tpa polycarbonate End 1998/Mid 1999

Saudi Methanol Mitsubishi Methanol PlannedAl-Jubail, Saudi Arabia Not disclosed 850,000tpa Q2 1999}}