In just 15 years, Weir has evolved from a company renowned for its high-quality pumps and hydrocyclones into one of the world’s leading providers of comminution solutions.
The transformation began with the 2010 acquisition of Linatex Limited, which provided Weir with its first foothold in comminution. Four years later, the acquisition of Trio Engineered Products, a Chinese-American manufacturer of crushing and separation equipment, significantly expanded the company’s capabilities in the sector.
Since then, Weir has continued to strengthen its comminution offering, building the premium ENDURON portfolio into a comprehensive range that extends beyond its well-known high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs) to include crushers, screens and, most recently, screening media.
The addition of screening media marks another important milestone, positioning Weir as a full-service provider across the entire comminution circuit, from extraction through to tailings management.
“Based on our close collaboration with customers, supported by our extensive footprint across Africa and globally, adding screening media was a natural progression,” says JD Singleton, Weir’s Comminution Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). “It is a complementary offering that aligns closely with our aftermarket strategy.”
Singleton explains that screen media enhances Weir’s ability to deliver a complete, single-source solution for mineral processing operations. By designing and manufacturing screen media in-house, the company can optimise the performance of the entire comminution circuit, thus improving plant efficiency while reducing customers’ total cost of ownership.
Extensive range
Built for longevity, efficiency and flexibility, Weir’s ENDURON screen media range covers all areas of material separation.
According to Natalie Makhanya, Aftermarket Head of Sales for Crushers and Screens at Weir, the range comprises rubber and polyurethane modular panels in the standard 305 x 305 mm size, featuring pin-and-sleeve fixing systems and a full set of accessories for complete deck replacement.
For primary screening in typical heavy-impact zones, Weir offers rubber panels ranging from 40 mm to 70 mm in thickness. In secondary screening applications, typically medium-wear operations, the company provides a range of polyurethane panels in thicknesses from 30 mm to 50 mm.
For tertiary screening, which is primarily focused on fine classification, polyurethane panels with fine slots or self-cleaning designs are available. The specialised Vibro Blast (VB) and Vibrating Relief (VR) modular screen media panels are used in vibrating screens across the mining, quarrying and aggregates industries.
Completing the offering is a range of panels for dewatering applications, designed for controlled drainage using Weir’s specialised dewatering slots.
“Changeout cycles vary from two to six weeks in feed zones and from 12 to 24 weeks in dewatering applications, making this a proven momentum business. Once installed in one area, adoption often expands site-wide,” says Makhanya.
Strong uptake
According to Makhanya, the mining sector has shown the strongest adoption to date, particularly at operations where process engineers and metallurgists require more than just screening panels. These customers are focused on achieving measurable performance improvements, including greater efficiency, extended wear life, enhanced drainage and increased throughput.
In this environment, the ENDURON range of screen panels has demonstrated its value by delivering comprehensive operational benefits rather than simply serving as a standalone product.
“Because we bring technical expertise through site surveys and application-specific recommendations, we are able to solve real-world screening problems, not just replace media. That approach is driving strong adoption across Africa, particularly at operations that value performance and total cost of ownership,” says Makhanya.
New customer sites
On the back of strong early interest, Weir has added several new customer sites across Africa, with applications covering a wide range of screening duties.
In Liberia, for example, the company recently supplied media for classification and dewatering applications at an iron ore plant. The ENDURON screen panels improved drainage efficiency and reduced blinding, helping the customer stabilise downstream processes.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Weir supported a copper operation with screening media for its sizing screen. The company’s polyurethane panels delivered improved open area and longer wear life, increasing throughput while reducing the frequency of changeouts. Previously, the mine had to replace its screen media every two weeks. Following the installation of ENDURON screen panels, changeout periods increased to three to four weeks.
At a chrome mine in South Africa, Weir’s media improved sizing accuracy and reduced pegging, particularly in high-wear zones. The company also recently supplied trash-removal media to a gold mine in South Africa. The improved screening efficiency achieved there helped protect downstream equipment and reduce unplanned stoppages.
“Across all these sites, the impact has been consistent: better efficiency, longer wear life and more stable plant performance, which is exactly what customers are looking for,” says Makhanya.
Competitive edge
What makes the ENDURON screen media range stand out, she adds, is the combination of premium materials, smart design and strong local manufacturing capability.
Weir uses high-performance polyurethane and rubber compounds available in more than 180 aperture options, all built on the standard 305 x 305 mm modular platform.
“The range covers every duty, from heavy-impact primary screening to fine tertiary classification and dewatering. By adopting our solutions, mines achieve longer wear life, higher efficiency and a lower total cost of ownership,” says Makhanya.
Key trends
Commenting on key trends emerging in Africa’s screening media market, Makhanya notes increasing pressure on supply chains. Many mines, she says, are struggling with long lead times, inconsistent deliveries and limited technical support from some suppliers.
“At the same time, customers are shifting away from buying ‘just a panel’. They want a total solution – improved efficiency, reduced downtime and technical guidance that helps them solve real screening problems. The trend is clear: mines want fast supply, reliable support and value-adding technical expertise,” says Makhanya.
Weir addresses this trend in two ways: reliable supply and strong technical support. With its new Boksburg manufacturing facility in South Africa increasing production capacity from 20 000 to 40 000 panels per month, customers are assured of faster supply, consistent quality and a fully supported deck solution.
More importantly, adds Makhanya, Weir’s value proposition extends beyond supplying media. The company conducts site surveys, assesses operating conditions and recommends the appropriate aperture, material and thickness to resolve issues related to pegging, wear, drainage and screening efficiency.
Positive outlook
Beyond the current high level of adoption, Makhanya believes the outlook for the screen media market in Africa remains positive.
Weir sees significant opportunities to support customers not only on Weir-supplied screens, but also on competitor equipment across the continent.
“Mines are looking for partners who can improve efficiency, reduce downtime and provide fast, reliable supply – that is where we make a difference. By combining strong local manufacturing capabilities with technical problem-solving expertise, we are building solid business momentum. This approach will strengthen our aftermarket footprint, increase market share and position Weir as a trusted solutions provider across Africa,” concludes Makhanya.
