Digitalization in process automation was not a complete surprise, according to CTO Roland Bent, Phoenix Contact. But “it was not necessarily the obvious, logical conclusion of what happened in the years before.” He sees great potential in new approaches like NOA (Namur Open Architecture) and MTP (Module Type Package) — also for his own company.

With an aim to create a new company experience for its customers, BASF has plans to reduce about 6,000 positions across the globe by the end of 2021 under its new development strategy. The transformation will also include leaner structures and simplified processes.

Chemicals company Kemira and process technology, automation and services company Valmet, have signed a partnership agreement in Europe for collaboration in the water and sludge treatment customer applications. The agreement aims at combining chemistry and smart process optimization expertise in the municipal and industrial water treatment space with analyzer and measurement technology know-how as well as on-site service network.

Thyssen Krupp has integrated an artificial intelligence solution (AI) into its materials distribution and service processes. "Alfred" supports his colleagues at Materials Services in dynamically managing the global logistics network with 271 warehouse sites and more than 150,000 products and services.

For 65 years, family company Endress+Hauser has managed the balancing act of constantly striving for innovation while never forgetting about its roots. Then and today, the main focus has always been on serving the customer. How this can be done in the era of digitalization is highlighted by Günther Lukassen, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser Germany, and Nikolaus Krüger, member of the Executive Board at Endress+Hauser.

How do you survive as a German machine builder for over a century and a half? “There are two essential ingredients: innovation and quality,” says Stephan Brand, Vice President Marketing & Product Management at Aerzen. He believes that the chemicals market is a particularly challenging industry.

Ever since the 1920s, Phoenix Contact has been driven by one thing: the pursuit of “better.” Already in its early years, the company demonstrated with its first series terminal block, the so-called RWE terminal block, that it works closely with its customers on all new developments. Then and today, it has always been about connectivity: from the field, through mapping and on to connectivity to the process control level. And time and time again, Phoenix Contact products have spearheaded new technology trends.

While the early days of Endress+Hauser were all about delivering reliable and accurate measured values, today the family company is driving digitalization and Industry 4.0 projects at high speed — always with a focus on the customer.

The Kaneka Group has drawn up its new medium-term management plan with a special focus on growth strategy, R&B strategy, global strategy and M&A strategy.

State-of-the-art automation systems can revitalize old equipment if they are deployed purposefully and with sound judgment. Read how to rejuvenate your equipment, ranging from simple control system migration to the introduction of digitalization and artificial intelligence.