Ragasco with state visit from Uruguay

Earlier this week Ragasco received state visit from Uruguay for a presentation and tour of the production facilities at Raufoss. The delegation consisted of 23 representatives including Minister of Finance, Minister of Culture and Education, representatives from government, directorates, trade unions and the industry in Uruguay. The delegation visited Ragasco in connection with a state visit in the Nordic countries.

Managing Director at Ragasco, Øyvind Hamre, said that the visit is important for future cooperation with Uruguay. Hamre hopes that the visit will result in a contract for the delivery of propane cylinders in composite by first quarter next year.

The government of Uruguay is considering a replacement of old and hazardous gas cylinders to the nation's households. The population primarily uses natural gas as energy for both cooking and heating, and Ragasco's composite cylinders for propane (LPG) would be an ideal product for this market. Compared with traditional steel cylinders, the pressure cylinders from Ragasco is 50% lighter in weight, non-corrosive, explosion proof and with see-through construction to check gas level.

As part of Uruguay's plans for alternative energy, the authorities have prepared a national conversion plan to replace old buses with new, modern gas-powered buses. High-pressure tanks for gas-powered buses and other large vehicles are manufactured by Lincoln Composites and Raufoss Fuel Systems, two other subsidiaries of Hexagon Composites Group.

With a transition to low-floor buses, it is required to place the fuel tanks on the roof, where low weight of the gas tanks will be crucial for the stability of the vehicle. Hexagon's composite containers are therefore considered to meet the requirements for light weight and safety.

Ragasco AS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexagon Composites ASA, and develops and manufactures pressure cylinders in composite for storage and transportation of propane gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG).

Ragasco went through a rebuilding process of a factory plant at Raufoss at the end of 2009/2010 to increase productivity and efficiency. With the new production facilities in place, Ragasco has the capacity to produce up to 2 million containers a year.

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Hexagon Composites ASA is a listed Group, with its head office located in Ålesund. The Group has 315 employees and achieved a turnover of NOK 867.5 million in 2009. The company develops and manufactures composite vessels for storage and transportation of various gases under pressure, and multiaxial composite reinforcements.

For more information:
Øyvind Hamre, Managing Director, Ragasco AS
Telephone: +47 97 79 55 90 | E-mail: oyvind.hamre@ragasco.com