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.
Low weight, high power density and innovative sealing concept for easier maintenance
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
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
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.
At the Bürkert Trade Press Days we spoke with Georg Stawowy, CEO of Bürkert Fluid Control Systems about the concept of a regenerative economy.
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.
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 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
Actuation with supply voltage range from 24 to 240 DC and AC
Maintaining Compliance with the European Union Methane Emissions Reduction 2024/1787 Ruling Requires Quantitative Optical Gas Imaging
The evaluation of the installed base and its further use is a key decision point in modernization projects. At the same time, Ethernet-based, state-of-the-art field device technology should often be used. For the first time, a product study by Pepperl+Fuchs presented a solution for field devices modern Profinet over Ethernet-APL and those with Foundation Fieldbus H1 (FF-H1) interface at Hannover Messe 2025.
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.
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.
Fraunhofer researchers have developed sensor systems and measuring equipment that detect leaks in hydrogen lines and tanks. Applications for the new technology include continuous monitoring of hydrogen shipments and facilities in the chemical industry.
Compact series for cost effective fan and pump applications
The need for accurate flow measurement in extreme operating conditions and harsh industrial environments, such as those found in hydraulic system applications and the oil and gas industry, is met by Titan Enterprises' high pressure oval gear fluid flow meters.
How to select the most suitable solid state relay for your motor control application
Crowdhelix’s Circular Industry Helix platform seeks to bring experts from materials science, process engineering, mineral waste recycling and industrial innovation to collaboratively develop solutions that can quickly scale industrial symbiosis.
Founded in 1864 with the focus on agricultural machinery, AERZEN today is an experienced solution provider for process air and gas applications
The European Pump Association announced that its 2025 Annual Meeting and General Assembly will be held in Prague from 21st -23rd May 2025.
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.
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.
3D-printed containment shroud avoids disadvantages in operation
PCN Europe spoke to Mark Pontin, Managing Director of Resolve Optics about the challenges for lenses in optical material inspection and sorting applications.
Today, the majority of consumer goods and everyday items are made from petroleum-based plastics. In Germany alone, around six million tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year. About half of this is mechanically recycled into new materials; the rest is used for energy recovery. The incineration of this waste results in the release of CO2, a greenhouse gas. It is therefore important to keep more plastics in the material cycle for climate and environmental reasons. Eight Fraunhofer Institutes are developing new ideas and processes to significantly improve the mechanical recycling rate of plastics as part of the Waste4Future flagship project.
For accurate, low maintenance measurement online water analysis system
Scratch-resistant and shatter-proof display with high protection class
New range of tools for maintenance duties included in customer care plans
How can mining companies make their operations more sustainable to reduce their environmental footprints? One element that can be perfectly adapted to match the conditions is the efficient transport of the mined material. Here overland conveyors that can move large quantities of material over long distances are required. BEUMER Group relies on modern planning and layout tools to support operators at an early stage of the project and design the ideal conveying solution together with the customer.
For level measurement in a hygienic environment
Flexibility with Integrated Analysis and Reporting Tools for iOS and Android
Mechanical bearings and gearboxes — like those used in electric vehicles and wind farms — are often treated with lubricants to avoid friction and wear. The voltage the components might be under impairs the effectiveness of the lubricants to such a degree that the tribological contacts are damaged. As part of the Lube.Life joint research project, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM have developed a virtual lubricant lab, which can be used to predict the effects of electrical fields on lubricant stability.
Accurate object targeting at long distances with a 30:1 distance to spot ratio
German Fraunhofer researchers have developed an extremely heat-resistant ceramic-based ink. For the first time, this enables metal components processed in the automotive industry at temperatures over 1,000 °C to be marked with a code. This opens up wide-ranging possibilities for designing process chains in the industry more efficiently and reducing their carbon footprint significantly.
Designs for high or low temperature/pressure applications with a wide range of accessories and options
Silicon Resonant Water Pressure Gauge for Successful Deep Sea Observation of Sea Level Fluctuations
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