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.
Making aluminium drives resistant to cleaning chemicals
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.
The fertilizer sector is caught in a global paradox between growing food to feed billions and the urgent need to decarbonise. Compressors present a largely overlooked opportunity to reduce lifecycle costs and carbon emissions, while enabling more sustainable production of ammonia. Author: Greg Gedney, Business Development Manager, Industrial Operations, Greene Tweed
Cost-effective alternative for applications without need for IP68 approval
Hanna Lundin, product engineer at Emerson, explains in this article how simplified tank monitoring system architectures make it more feasible for companies to implement an automated solution to improve their inventory management, increase safety and efficiency.
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.
APC enables capacity increases without new hardware, energy savings and cost reduction through continuous optimization, and more stable product quality under fluctuating conditions.
Cerafiltec sent out the final shipment for what will become the world largest ceramic membrane bioreactor
The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) will mark its 25th anniversary at SPS 2025 in Nuremberg from 25th-27th November. Visitors are invited to live demonstrations on CLPA’s key technology, CC-Link IE TSN and more
October marks the 50th year since ABB’s Low Voltage Variable Speed Drive was first brought to market. Developed by Finnish company Strömberg, which went on to become part of ABB, VSD have revolutionized industrial energy consumption and decarbonization
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.
Italian Pump Manufacturer CRI-MAN S.p.A. to Become Part of Atlas Copco Group
Sensirion Connected Solutions, a subsidiary of Sensirion Holding AG specializing in sensor-based IoT solutions and services for emissions monitoring, announced the acquisition of Kuva Systems, a Cambridge-based innovator in image-based methane emissions monitoring.
Expansion of ammonia value chain with further sustainable products in Ludwigshafen
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.
As one of the world's most important industrial trade shows, HANNOVER MESSE 2025 sends out positive signals to industry and politics. Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, digitalization and electrification are driving efficiency leaps in industry. Strong impulses are also coming from partner country Canada, which is actively strengthening and expanding transatlantic cooperation in turbulent times.
Solution and new hardware now available in six European countries and Brazil
International Federation of Robotics reports on trends in the industry
First Data Acquisition and Handling System passes the new international emissions monitoring standard test EN 17255
Industrial processes involving dry foodstuffs or animal feed can quickly create an explosive atmosphere by stirring up dust. Dust explosions present a huge risk not only to human life, but also in terms of destroyed equipment and unplanned production downtimes. Bormann & Neupert by BS&B offers efficient safety systems that effectively nip dust explosions in the bud or minimise their effects.
The HIMA Group proudly marked a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of Sella Controls. On October 9, 2024, a safety symposium was held in Birmingham to commemorate this achievement, honouring Sella Controls' journey from its modest beginnings in Whaley Bridge to its status as a leader in safety and control systems, now part of the HIMA Group.
Pepperl+Fuchs has joined the new IGEL Ready program. Established in July 2020, IGEL Ready is a growing ecosystem of more than 100 technology partners providing hardware, software, and peripheral solutions that have been verified for use with IGEL OS to deliver a powerful, productive, and secure user experience for digital workspaces within modern workplace environments.
Wireless sensors for condition monitoring prevent unplanned downtime of critical centrifugal pump
Acquisition of Födisch Group will expand ABB’s position in industrial emission measurement.
Founded in 1864 with the focus on agricultural machinery, AERZEN today is an experienced solution provider for process air and gas applications
Process industries, with a focus on Chemicals plants, are currently experiencing an evolution. Plant operators are grappling with a market that is shifting towards shorter product lifecycles, regularly changing feedstocks, an overall more precise yet rapid approach to production and narrowing profit margins.
Ethernet-APL extends connectivity all the way to process automation field devices. This is achieved with 2-wire cabling via Ethernet-APL switches at data transfer rates of 10 MB/s. Transmissions are intrinsically safe and therefore possible into Ex zones as well. This paves the way for the straightforward collection of large volumes of field data, which facilitates plant optimization as well as the development of new business models in process engineering. Yet physical transmission is only part of the story.
The move from October firmly on the calendar thanks to good cooperation with local craftsmen
Product packaging has always polarized: while it is indispensable for maintaining product and consumer safety, some materials are constantly under scrutiny regarding their environmental impact. The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces binding regulations across the EU to mitigate these effects by reducing and replacing certain types of packaging. Packaging manufacturers and brand owners alike can meet those challenges and become PPWR-compliant without sacrificing efficiency and packing quality.
Automated system for recovering and purifying gases used in gas chromatography (GC)
The measurement of low flow is becoming widely used in many industries. However, the smaller the flow, the trickier it is to control and measure, and finding a suitable flow measuring technology at reasonable cost can prove challenging for both users and flow sensor manufacturers.
Absolute sterility, optimised processes and lower operating costs – the food industry is challenged to align its production procedures amid these conflicting interests. The measurement technology employed to check individual process parameters plays a decisive role here. WIKA has now opened up a new chapter in pressure instrumentation: an in-line process transmitter with a “dry” measuring cell takes monitoring of this variable in sterile applications to a higher level.
Reduction of capital and operating costs in offshore systems above and below water
Monitoring Control Cabinet Climate with expanded functions for a wider application field
Flexibly expandable solution that is suitable for use with static and retractable fittings
Under the heading "Forging Tomorrow – Unleashing the Industrial AI Benefits", a panel on the assessment of artificial intelligence by experts from the industry took place at the Emerson Exchange.
PCN Europe spoke to Hubertus von Monschaw, Global Director Trade Fair and Product Management HANNOVER MESSE at Deutsche Messe AG, about the current challenges facing the industry and HANNOVER MESSE 2024.
Effective monitoring of oil in water for petrochemistry and other areas
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