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X-Air 900-20 for tough drilling applications
consumption throughout operation. Together, these technologies help customers control fuel costs while maintaining reliable on-site air delivery. The compressor is equipped with the Xc2004 smart air controller, providing operators with clear machine information, intuitive control, and easy monitoring. The controller supports efficient operation, machine protection, and built-in alarms, helping operators manage the compressor confidently—even in demanding working environments. Connectivity features further enable transparent, data-driven insight into machine performance and value in use. “The X-Air 900-20 is designed for custom - ers who need a reliable, adaptable compressor that can support different drilling applications without added complexity,” says Srijayan Iyer, Product Marketing Manager for Large Air. “By combining flexible pressure, smart control, and a robust, easy-to-maintain design, we’re helping customers improve utilisation and control operating costs across demanding job sites,” he concludes. https://www.atlascopco.com/en-za children benefit. When packaging fails, they suffer. “Packaging innovation is never an end in itself,” says Khoury. “It exists to solve a real problem. In Southern Africa, the problem is getting safe, nutritious food to people who need it, in conditions that are not always ideal.” South Africa’s dairy sector is the fourth- largest agricultural sector in the country, with a gross value of production of approximately R25-billion in 2023. More than 984 milk producers employ 60,000 farm workers di- rectly, with a further 40,000 people supported through indirect jobs across the value chain. However, the sector has not had it easy in recent years. A foot-and-mouth disease out- break in 2024, record feed costs, and a decade of consolidation have reduced the number of dairy farmers by 60%. A recovering sector only helps children if the milk actually reaches them. Processing and packaging are what close the gap. This is what Tetra Pak is focused on. https://www.tetrapak.com/en-za
Atlas Copco has expanded its DrillAir port- folio of portable air compressors with the launch of the X-Air 900-20, a versatile and fuel-efficient solution designed for demand - ing drilling applications in Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Central and South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Engineered for flexibility, reliability, and ease of operation, the X-Air 900-20 supports a wide range of applications across mining and construction, helping customers operate efficiently across diverse job sites and working conditions. Built on Atlas Copco’s proven expertise in portable air solutions for tough applica- tions, the X-Air 900-20 combines advanced compressor control, a compact footprint, and a robust design to deliver dependable compressed air where it matters most. At the core of the X-Air 900-20 is PACE technology, which allows operators to set working pressure anywhere between 14 and 20 bar. This flexibility enables a single compressor to support different drilling ap-
plications, helping customers maximise fleet utilisation and reduce the need for multiple machines on site.In mining, the X-Air 900-20 is particularly well-suited for blast-hole drilling and dimension-stone quarry drilling, where consistent air delivery and adaptability are es- sential for productivity. Construction applica- tions include slope anchoring, down-the-hole (DTH) solar piling, and ground engineering drilling. By matching pressure to application needs, operators can optimise performance while avoiding unnecessary fuel consumption and component wear. Designed to reduce operating costs, the X-Air 900-20 features ECO mode, delivering measurable fuel savings of up to 50% during unload conditions. By switching from idle to no-load operation, the compressor minimises unnecessary fuel use, helping lower total cost of ownership while supporting longer compo- nent life and efficient, easy operation. Fuel efficiency is further supported by FuelXpert technology, which continuously manages fuel
A glass of milk still changes everything
For a growing child, few foods are worth as much as milk. A single glass delivers calcium for bone development, protein for muscle growth and vitamins that support everything from eyesight to immune function. In house- holds where money is short and meals are simple, milk is often the most reliable source of nutrients a child gets in a day. Keeping it on the table is the harder part. “Milk is not just a product. It is a foundation,” says Wael Khoury, Managing Director of Tetra Pak Southern Africa. “When children have consistent access to nutrient-dense foods like milk, the evidence is clear: it supports better growth outcomes, better performance at school and better long-term health. The question we ask ourselves every day is how to ensure milk reaches the children who need it, reliably and without fail. How to ensure that the supply chain doesn’t fail children.” In South Africa, refrigeration gaps, unreli-
able transport and food waste remain daily realities, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. “Getting milk to the people who need it safely, affordably and without compromising its nutritional value is a food security matter, not just a technical one,” Khoury says. UHT processing is one part of that answer. Milk processed at ultra-high temperatures and packed in aseptic cartons stays safe for months without refrigeration. No cold storage at the distribution point. No spoilage when a delivery runs late. No waste when the power goes out. For a child in a rural school or in a household far from the nearest supermarket, that is the difference between having milk on the table and not. Advances in aseptic packaging have taken this further, with lighter materials, better seals and formats suited to communities where bulk buying is not practical. The hard truth is this: When the packaging works,
July-August 2026 • MechChem Africa ¦ 41
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