It wasn’t too long ago that hazardous zones and production zones were reasonably well separated. The areas where explosive gases, vapors, or combustible dusts were present tended to stay in their own very specific environments, and the equipment operating in those areas was specified accordingly. Today, however, that distinction is less clear.
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.
Online diagnostics and documentation for process automation infrastructure
In many conveyor systems, worn coatings cause unnecessary failures – whether in the food and beverage industry or in material handling. For this purpose, igus offers powder coatings made of high-performance polymers called iglidur coating, which make surfaces significantly more wear-resistant and durable. To make it easier for users to retrofit existing systems, the company now also offers coated plates and wire mesh that can be flexibly cut to size and installed. The range is complemented by IC-05PF, the first PTFE‑free coating, which is intended in particular for applications with high hygiene requirements.
200 ms response time for maximised process performance and reliability
Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI), part of Saur Group, introduced PFAS Resolve at IFAT 2026 in Munich. It is a Saur Group solution: a modular concept combining advanced technologies to address the full spectrum of PFAS contamination directly on site.
Compact series for more efficiency and performance in an expanded range of applications
For easy installation with high accuracy and repeatability for safe processes
The ifm group has announced its financial results for the successful 2025 fiscal year.
Hygiene, compliance and digitalisation combined
At a specialist aerospace equipment manufacturer in Portsmouth, an initiative to reduce energy costs identified steam energy usage that could be optimised. Dart Aerospace involved Bürkert’s engineering team to develop a system that could automatically close steam flow during non-operational periods. This custom-developed flow control system was set live in January 2025 and achieved return on investment in a matter of months.
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.
Fraunhofer project for better recycling processes of paper packaging
Extended functionalities for stable plant operations and improved maintenance efficiency
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.
Intuitive user interface for operation in four languages
Tomohiro Yoshida is the new FA Business Unit President for Europe.
Improved efficiency of protein capture with Surface Acoustic Wave Flowmeters
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.
ELGi Compressors Europe, a subsidiary of ELGi Equipments Limited announced the transformative operational results achieved by its customer, Guttsta Källa AB, a century-old Swedish natural mineral water producer. By implementing a high-performance ELGi compressed air solution, Guttsta Källa has dramatically increased its production throughput while delivering substantial annual energy savings of 120,000 kWh, positioning the company for continued growth in the premium Swedish bottled water market.
APC enables capacity increases without new hardware, energy savings and cost reduction through continuous optimization, and more stable product quality under fluctuating conditions.
At the Bürkert Trade Press Days we spoke with Georg Stawowy, CEO of Bürkert Fluid Control Systems about the concept of a regenerative economy.
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.
Intrinsically safe tablets and smartphones serve as digital and networked hubs for connected workers in the process industry
Axel Schwerdtfeger has been appointed as Executive Vice President of the Process Solutions company division, effective 1 October. As a member of the Management Board, he will also contribute significantly to shaping and executing the global business strategy of the measurement technology manufacturer.
Precision and accuracy are essential for liquid dosing applications to ensure quality and safety. While these factors are vital at the micro level, macro scale applications, involving litres of product, can also make significant efficiency gains by optimising dosing control. To achieve this, selecting the right valve and measurement technology is vital, with the right level of automation.
Accelerated PLC integration without need for programming
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.
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.
The Hungarian MOL Group has achieved a significant milestone in its SHAPE TOMORROW Strategy by successfully completing its first ISCC PLUS-certified production run using circular feedstock at its MOL Petrochemicals site in Tiszaújváros.
Ethernet-APL enables fast, standardized Ethernet communication down to field level, even in hazardous areas. While the technology simplifies engineering, commissioning, and diagnostics, the real value lies in integrated solutions. With engineered, certified systems tailored to customer needs, operators benefit from reduced complexity, faster deployment, and higher system availability.
The collaboration is paving the way for seamless MES deployment on HMI Systems in pharma and biotechnology
Gentle, energy-efficient handling of bulk materials
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
Stainless-steel motors for the food industry
Addition to the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio mainly in the range of 24 and 48 V motors for intelligent, battery-powered drive solutions.
Maintaining wind turbines and identifying potential vulnerabilities is expensive and time-consuming, especially when they are located offshore. As a result, rotor blades are often simply replaced, a costly process, when damage is merely suspected. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, working in concert with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, has developed a solution that can be used to identify cracks and breakages inside the blades remotely at an early stage.
Expanding into the global instrumentation market with a fully in-house designed setup
Enhanced pump design for higher performance
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