Mihails Kusnezoff, Stefan Megel and Sindy Mosch from the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS in Dresden have developed a high-temperature electrolysis stack that is setting new standards worldwide: It generates hydrogen with unprecedented efficiency, can also operate as a fuel cell and is designed for industrial-scale serial production. The technology has earned the three researchers the Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize for 2026.
As digital transformation increases demand for data from automation systems – driven by new digital innovations such as advanced analytics, AI and expanded connectivity – maintaining system integrity has become a challenge. ABB’s Luis Duran explores how the concept of “separation of concerns” protect the core of the automation system in a cyber-secure way, while enabling new digital value without compromising operational performance.
200 ms response time for maximised process performance and reliability
A long-standing automation partnership between a Swiss machine builder and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial robots is aiming to help transform the pharmaceutical supply chain in Europe with the launch of what is believed to be the ‘smallest’ automated palletising cell for vials and pre-filled syringes.
Wireless scanner in different variants for multiple operating scenarios
The UK-based Rotork Midland Ltd, (to be renamed Midland Flow Ltd) and the Italian Rotork Instruments S.r.l. (to be renamed M&M Instruments S.r.l.) are now part of Dacke Industri to enhance the market position and open new opportunities in both the UK and Italy.
Inductive heating is rapidly gaining importance in food processing and food-related packaging systems. The technology enables reproducible temperatures and short response times while meeting high hygiene standards. Kendrion consistently applies this proven principle to food and packaging machinery: with scalable systems for inductive heating and industrial surface heating. They generate heat exactly where it is needed: during transport, in the heating plate, in the container, or in the roller. Energy consumption is up to 50 percent lower than with gas or oil heaters.
Ultra-thin barrier layers on packaging effectively protect food and medicine from oxygen, moisture, and contaminants. The Film-Inspect sensor, developed at Fraunhofer IPM, measures the quality of these barriers during the coating process, enabling process control for the first time.
The Endress+Hauser Group’s generational handover continues. The Swiss measurement and automation technology specialist has already announced a sweeping refresh of the Executive Board made necessary by the planned retirement of several long-serving members.
A new wave of more efficient, adaptable and intelligent plant operations is emerging as conventional control systems evolve into modern, open and modular automation ecosystems. Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President ABB Automation Technology, explains how ABB’s Automation Extended allows industrial organizations to fully embrace the opportunities of digitalization while futureproofing their operations.
Polyurethanes (PUR) are found in many products, such as upholstered furniture, foam or insulation materials, flooring, paints and even medical catheter tubes. The production of these high-demand plastics, however, relies on toxic isocyanate. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed an alternative production process using harmless dicarbamate.
Robust and precise flowmeters for dispensing of aggressive media
The new treatment will reduce the high cost of transforming rice straw and citrus pruning waste into plant-based plastics.
The German specialist in mixing, dispersing and powder-wetting technologies, is significantly strengthening its operations in India with the opening of a new facility in Bangalore. The expansion, which includes a larger technical and service team as well as increased local procurement, underscores the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian and Southeast Asian markets.
In September 2025, a ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace interrupted check-in and boarding systems at major European airports, heavily impacting Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The attackers never breached the airport’s core IT – they didn’t need to. One compromised supplier was enough to paralyze a critical service. Here, Stephan Nobis, business development manager at automation supplier COPA-DATA, discusses why Europe’s critical infrastructure must move from compliance to continuous cybersecurity – or face severe risks.
When it comes to beverage dispensing and flow measurement, Titan Enterprises offers two distinct solutions that each has unique strengths and trade-offs, making the choice application-dependent.
Valuable energy is lost in pressure reduction stations, exhaust steam pipes and condensation systems. With Energify system, the company CFT GmbH offers a simple and robust solution for the cost-effective conversion of even slight pressure differences into energy. This saves electricity costs and lowers CO₂ emissions. The system performance is controlled precisely with sliding gate valves from Schubert & Salzer.
Versatile senor with certification for use in hygienic applications
Looks matter, but they aren’t everything: long before croissants, biscuits or waffles are placed in protective packaging, manufacturers need to ensure that their contents are exactly as they should be. In upstream steps, producers pave the way for the highest quality, safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat products. Ingenious technologies that work towards this goal are always part of the packaging process.
Carl Ramsden has taken over the newly created position effective October 1, 2025. This newly created position represents an important milestone in the further integration of the British company into the HIMA Group.
As the world urgently seeks ways to decarbonise, James Clements from Signal Group explains how gas analysis will perform a vital role – particularly in carbon capture, and not just for CO2 but for all of the important greenhouse gases.
Upgrading pneumatic control valves with digital capabilities can enhance process quality and efficiency. Though a full digital control system redesign might be prohibitive, integrating digital positioners and process controllers can offer many of the same benefits without requiring a complete overhaul. Author: Kieran Bennett, Industry Manager, Food & Beverage at Bürkert.
The largest oil producer in the Caribbean used Cogent DataHubTM software in a recent project to modernize their SCADA systems and integrate new IoT-enabled well-monitoring devices
Monitoring radioactive processes in high definition
Expanding into the global instrumentation market with a fully in-house designed setup
Precise material analysis plays a central role in many industries - from the pharmaceutical and food industries to construction materials, biotechnology and environmental sciences. Whether for quality assurance or for predicting material behaviour, the precise characterisation of particles is crucial.
Titan Enterprises, a leading UK manufacturer of liquid flow measurement solutions, has had a long-standing supplier relationship with John Guest, part of the RWC family of brands, since designing their first beverage flowmeter in the early 1990s. Following discussions with a customer, the two companies teamed up to develop a streamlined, state-of-the-art single unit for beer dispensing systems, fully integrating Titan’s turbine flow technology within RWC’s pioneering PolarClean connector.
Italian Pump Manufacturer CRI-MAN S.p.A. to Become Part of Atlas Copco Group
Solving different engineering challenges with the right supplier
Experts have to collaborate effectively for process plants to be controlled reliably and economically. Safety, reliability, and efficiency must be guaranteed. This means operators of such plants are dependent on experienced project partners who not only supply individual products, but also have a deep understanding of the processes and requirements on-site and are able to use this knowledge to develop customized and long-term sustainable solutions.
Yokogawa Collaborates with Shell on Robotics and AI Technology for Plant Maintenance
As businesses in industry continually aim to become environmentally sustainable, the demands are increasingly pushed throughout the supply chains. Liquid and gas flow controls, ubiquitous throughout industry, are highlighted within the sustainability drive. Optimising the performance of valves and their controls can directly improve energy efficiency for end users. Moreover, procurement teams are progressively checking that flow control suppliers are achieving a holistic position to meet sustainability goals.
Maintaining Compliance with the European Union Methane Emissions Reduction 2024/1787 Ruling Requires Quantitative Optical Gas Imaging
To help engineers and operators meet the challenges of precision batching and ensure accurate measurements and smooth process operations, the editorial shares some key insights.
NOA cooperation for efficient and secure vertical communication at process automation production plants kicks off
Compressed air and vacuum technology will be back at HANNOVER MESSE in 2025, underlining its importance for industry. As an important cross-sectional technology, it complements the key themes of automation and energy supply. The focus will be on efficiency and sustainability for a future-oriented industrial transformation.
The demonstrator, designed as an interactive screen with code readers, has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of ITC Packaging and Famosa
All over the world, farmed salmon suffer from salmon lice, a small crab that infests the fish and feeds on their mucus, skin and blood, causing disease. However, an innovative solution from the Norwegian company Harbor AS offers effective protection against this parasite. The customised connection solutions required for this are provided by LAPP.
Compatibility with harsh environments and different media
Solenoid pilot-operated valves designed for high-pressure applications help to comply with regulations
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