Growth in popularity

Diffuser technology is on the rise. In cane sugar factories requiring extraction plants with outstanding performance, high availability and low maintenance, diffusers are often the equipment of choice.

After two successful projects – a cane diffuser with a capacity of 7,000 tons of cane sugar per day (TCD) for San Buenaventura Sugar in Bolivia (2014), and a bagasse diffuser with a capacity of 15,000 TCD for Khonburi Sugar C-Line in Thailand (2015) – BMA and China Guangxi Construction Engineering Group 1st Installation Co., Ltd. (GXYA) have now signed another cooperation agreement. 

The scope of supply comprises the equipment for two sugar cane diffusers, each with a capacity of 12,000 TCD, to be installed at the OMO Kuraz-5 sugar factory in Ethiopia. Counting the plant that is already in operation at the OMO Kuraz-1 factory, Ethiopia will soon boast three sugar cane diffusers from BMA.

Our past experience has shown this international collaboration to work well, despite the language and cultural differences between the project partners. GXYA and BMA can now build on these positive experiences in Africa. Our tasks cover the whole engineering range, as well as the manufacture of the key diffuser components and human resource services. 

The plants will be built in two stages. BMA AG already delivered all equipment parts in 2017: the bull gear, block chain, lifting screws, drive shaft, tail shaft, dewatering drum and the required spare parts were completed on schedule by BMA China. At the end of last year, the Ethiopian factory operator and the Chinese EPC contractor together inspected and accepted all supplies from GXYA and BMA. 

This year, the building and commissioning of both plants will bring to a close yet another chapter in the success story of diffuser technology from BMA.