The project, spearheaded by Movequip, a Brazilian company specializing in lifting and handling systems, marks a significant advancement in the efficiency and sustainability of sugar production, positioning the country’s industry for continued growth and modernization.
Brazil’s sugar industry, which is predominantly located in the Centre-South region, has long been a vital economic pillar, producing massive quantities of sugar for both domestic consumption and export markets.
As the world’s largest sugar producer, Brazil is constantly striving to enhance its operations, reduce environmental impact, and optimize production processes.
A major sugar processing company in the region recently turned to Movequip to help tackle one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: improving the storage and handling of sugar Big Bags.
The solution was an automated lifting system that not only maximizes storage space but reduces handling times, boosting overall productivity.
Movequip’s partnership with Verlinde, played a pivotal role in the success of the project. Four advanced overhead traveling cranes were installed in a 200-meter-long warehouse, each capable of lifting six sugar Big Bags simultaneously.
Each Big Bag weighs 1,250 kilograms and has a diameter of over one meter, posing significant challenges in terms of storage and handling. The high-tech cranes were designed to handle these heavy loads with speed and precision, thanks to the use of Verlinde’s VT4 electric hoist, which is known for its robustness and ability to endure high cycle demands.
Mr. Vogas, Director of Movequip, explained that the project’s scale and complexity were substantial. “Imagine 15 Big Bags stacked on a base of 26, forming a pyramid,” he said. “Our goal was to design a system that not only meets the demanding weight and volume of the Big Bags but also maximizes storage capacity and speeds up handling times. The result is a 90% improvement in storage movements and a significant reduction in cycle times.”
The integration of automated systems to handle the Big Bags represents a key innovation in Brazil’s sugar sector. This move towards automation is in line with a broader trend of optimizing industrial processes to improve safety, productivity, and environmental sustainability. With the new system, the sugar processing company can now store more product in less space while ensuring faster turnaround times, which ultimately enhances overall supply chain efficiency.
In addition to the cranes and hoists, Movequip’s design also included customized trolleys with an extended reach of 3,100 mm, boosting the warehouse’s storage capacity by 8%. This added capacity was critical for meeting the customer’s requirements, allowing for more efficient storage of sugar without compromising space or operational speed.
The installation process itself was an impressive feat, requiring the laying of 1.6 kilometers of rails and a dedicated team of professionals to complete the task. Movequip’s ability to manage such a complex project, from planning to execution, was a testament to its expertise in industrial handling solutions. The system was commissioned quickly, allowing the sugar processor to see immediate improvements.
Movequip also provided a preventive maintenance contract, ensuring that the equipment is regularly inspected and maintained to prevent any unplanned downtime. With a 24-hour service team located less than 80 kilometers away from the site, Movequip is poised to provide rapid assistance whenever needed, further enhancing the customer’s operational reliability.
The Big Bag storage project marks a major leap forward for Brazil’s sugar industry as a whole. As the country continues to modernize and adopt more sustainable practices, innovations like this one will be crucial in meeting the growing global demand for sugar, while also improving efficiency, safety, and environmental performance.
“We’ve been working with this customer for over 20 years, and their continued trust in our technology and services speaks volumes,” said Mr. Vogas. “The success of this project has paved the way for further orders, not only in the sugar sector but across various industries. This partnership with Verlinde is an example of how high-performance equipment and expert technical support can drive significant improvements in the value chain.”
The project is expected to have a ripple effect on Brazil’s broader sugar industry, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and innovation. With further orders in the pipeline and a growing focus on automation and sustainability, Movequip’s Big Bag storage system is a clear sign that Brazil’s sugar industry is embracing the future.
