UK-based conveyor chain manufacturer and supplier FB Chain Ltd has reported that in the financial year ending April 2012, UK sales of its range of conveyor chains grew by over 70 per cent.

Much of the growth has come from sales to companies operating in the UK biomass and recycling industries.

“We have always had strong sales within the wood and paper and pulp processing industries, but biomass and recycling are relatively new markets for us,” said Peter Church, Managing Director of FB Chain UK.

With Government-backed subsidies driving growth in the recycling sector - 42 new biomass plants are scheduled to open in the UK in 2012 – FB Chain expects to sustain its success in this market and is developing its product range accordingly.

“Because chain conveyors in the biomass and recycling industries are subject to more shock and irregular loads than in any other bulk material handling industry, we are providing much larger quantities of welded pin and bush conveyor chains,” says Peter Church.

FB Chain are producing conveyor chains with welded pins and bushes that have tensile strengths some 30 per cent higher than the ISO Standard conveyor chains commonly specified in the sector.

These induction hardened chains – which feature secure welded construction - offer higher durability against overloading and minimise chain failure and subsequent costly conveyor downtime.

Peter Church added: “The biomass and recycling industries are quickly becoming major sectors in the UK and it is essential that we continue to develop our product offering to meet the needs of these markets. I believe that sales of conveyor chains, sprockets and attachments specially adapted to the specific requirements of biomass and recycling operations, will represent a growing part of FB Chain’s conveyor chain business in the years ahead.”

About FB Chain:
FB Chain is the UK subsidiary of Addtech AB , a Swedish company listed on the Stockholm stock exchange. From its factory located in Letchworth, England, FB Chain specialises in leaf chain and associated products for the mechanical handling industry. FB is now the foremost supplier for this package of products in the UK and Ireland. In addition to leaf chain and machined products FB Chain’s extensive stock product range includes roller chain, conveyor chain, sawmill or sharp top chain, as well as anchor bolts, anchor pins, pulleys and other special components.