“Since pioneering the use of environmentally compatible longwall fluids in 1985, their use has expanded every year,” Quaker said. “Today almost 40 longwalls around the world, including eight in Australia use Quaker longwall fluid technology. In 1995, Quaker established a successful marketing alliance with Shell to offer the industry a complete fuel/lubrication package backed up by a specialist service team.”

 

From January 2003, a dedicated team has been appointed to work with Shell to support the needs of this industry.

 

Derek Hanna will take up the new role of product manager, leading the team in all marketing and technical support activities. Derek comes to Quaker from Union Carbide and has over a decade of experience with water based hydraulic fluids, servicing the Asia pacific region.

 

Ruben Sas who has been servicing the longwall mines for the past two years will take on the role of process engineer responsible for sales and service support. Steve Brennan will continue to provide laboratory support.

 

An expanded range of longwall fluid has also been launched.

 

Harold Kraus, general manager of Quaker Australia said “After seventeen years of consistently good performance, the Quintolubric longwall fluid range has been expanded to include universal, hard and soft water products, with design concentrations from 2 to 5%.

 

“Our strategy remains to work in partnership with Shell by offering longwall fluids of technical excellence which are at the forefront of environmental compatibility supported by a well trained global team of specialist,” Kraus said.