Over the course of their long existence solenoid valves have developed slowly but continuously so that they are opening up new fields of application. Today they are a central element in controlling fluids in a broad spectrum of different applications. One of the newer areas of application is in the life sciences. A new actuation technology now allows a significant reduction in size with no loss of performance.

Emerson predicts the next 10 years will see exponential growth in the adoption of wireless and pervasive sensing applications that help companies maximise safety and reliability, optimise production and enable Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) strategies.

The joint venture between plant engineering and construction specialist Thyssen Krupp Industrial Solutions and electrochemical technologies supplier De Nora was concluded successfully on April 1st, 2015. It will trade under the name Thyssen Krupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers and is operational with immediate effect.

German Coperion aims to get a foothold in Asia: The company has equipped a special assembly facility for its modular compounding systems at its production site in Shanghai/China. The new 2,000 m² facility will help to cope with the increasing demand for modular compounding systems in the rapidly developing markets of the Far East.

Coperion moves its Chinese extruder production to a new location: By February 2015, the company will have located to a new facility in the Nanjing Jiangning District. It's current production site in China will focus on R&D and Technology, Coperion explained.

Kaeser offers its proven Sigma Air Manager 4.0 master controller, which previously revolutionised the rotary screw compressor segment, to the application for blowers.

Under the smart Verbund project, BASF has begun to construct its maiden units which will produce engineering plastics and TPU. The site will comprise the latest technologies as well as highest safety and sustainability standards and falls under the firm’s 10-billion-dollar investment project.

The acquisition is in line with Lanxess’ strategic focus on profitable specialty chemicals. With this deal, the Lanxess Material Protection Products business unit aims at strengthening its global presence and serving its South American customers via a domestic production facility.

Thyssenkrupp Polysius has won a contract from PT Holcim Indonesia Tbk., Jakarta, to build a second cement plant near the town of Tuban on the northern coast of the island of Java. The contract is worth around 250 million US dollars and the plant is scheduled to start production in 2015.

At Brau Beviale, Watson-Marlow showcased its specialist range of technology for the drinks industry, including the Sine pump Certa. The pump’s high performance and versatility has been illustrated with the mixer Turbo Digi which is manufactured by Famix-Maschinenbau. This system uses Certa for metering syrup, providing gentle transfer and excellent CIP-capabilities.