Northvolt Labs in Västerås is expanding into a fully integrated ecosystem to catalyze technological advances in the emerging European battery industry.
In addition to new jobs, the new facility also creates work for our industry with the insulation of long stretches of pipe. The project “Northvolt RAD 2.0 lab part and tests” landed at STICAB in Västerås. Anders Forslund at STICAB Västerås explains that there are over 6,000 meters of pipe to be insulated. In addition to the traditional pipe bowl, there are about 4,000 meters of pipes that will be insulated with cellular rubber.
The new Campus will be built out of Northvolt Labs - the existing cell industrialization facility with adjacent test facilities and Revolt's pilot recycling facility, which will feed recycled raw materials directly into production on site.
Environmentally friendly solutions and sustainability in focus
Armacell launched the new NH/Armaflex Smart in the spring at the same time as the planned start-up of the project.
The properties of the new product meant that a quick decision was made to use NH/Armaflex Smart in this project.
NH/Armaflex Smart has excellent UV and age resistance. The product emits 50% less smoke than conventional flexible elastomeric insulation products. It is halogen-free and contains neither PVC nor chlorinated polyethylene. Halogen-free insulation prevents the formation of corrosive gases from the material in the event of a fire and reduces the risk of stress corrosion cracking on stainless steel pipes.
NH/ArmaFlex Smart does not contain chlorinated paraffins and the product is manufactured without the addition of brominated flame retardants and is free of chlorinated paraffins. Chlorinated paraffins with short and medium carbon chains are considered hazardous to health and the environment and are no longer produced in Europe. “The 'old' NH/Armaflex will continue to exist as it has, among other things, marine approvals that NH/armaflex Smart does not have,” says Rolf Ridell at Armacell.
Isopartner Solna in Stockholm was given the task of arranging orders and logistics for this project. He says that there were no problems getting the new product to the branch in Solna. Over 100 rolls and around 700 meters of hose were delivered to the project in Västerås with Isopartner's own truck.
Satisfied installers
Anders Forslund at Sticab says that he has 4-5 people working on this project. The installers are happy to work with the product and describe it as “work-friendly” and that it is very similar to AF/Armaflex but a little more rubbery, which means that it is not as easy to push on the pipe, “it sits where it sits” says Anders.
“The new Armaflex 750 adhesive, which is designed for this product, adhered very well,” says Anders. He also says that at high ambient temperatures, the adhesive dried quickly, so it was important not to glue too many meters/bends at a time.
“It's important to read up on the product so that you know its properties and performance,” says Rolf Ridell.
The project started in May and is expected to be completed in the fall. “This was phase one and there will be more to come,” says Anders.
