Data forms the basis for any optimization strategy. In the framework of the NOA concept, Phoenix Contact now provides with the Cloudwriter an app, with which the measurement data recorded in the systems can be transferred simply, without retroactive effects and securely to a cloud for evaluation.

China is known as the country of large numbers – this also applies to the pharmaceutical industry there. With currently over 4,800 pharmaceutical producers, the Chinese market continues to offer huge opportunities for the global equipment industry. A recent ‘Vogel Market Insight Report’ shows that despite extensive attempts by local equipment companies to copy the Chinese market, the user industry cannot avoid Western high-tech equipment.

Air Liquide has entered into long-term contracts with its large Industrial Merchant customers. Under the agreement, the company will supply on-site industrial gases including nitrogen, oxygen or hydrogen to these customers for at least 10 years.

The importance of China as a production and investment location is growing. Pfeiffer Vaccum doubles its factory premises and highlights the region's potential for the company.

Air Products has acquired five steam methane reformer hydrogen production plants in the US from PBF Energy. The acquired units offer a combined production capacity of almost 300 million standard cubic feet per day.

LG Chem aims to expand production capacity of carbon nanotubes (CNT) by 1,200 tonnes at its Yeosu plant in South Korea. The move is in line with the rapidly growing CNT market around the world.

A report by market research company, Techsci Research has forecasted that the global hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine market is projected to reach 285 million dollars in 2020 due to the increased use of the drugs in treating Covid-19.

Neste Engineering Solutions’ Nexpinustm technology has been selected by Fintoil for its new CTO fractionation unit in Finland. The company has also been made the engineering partner for the plant which is expected to start-up by 2022.

Under the collaboration, Moderna will manufacture its mRNA-1273 vaccine to fight the novel coronavirus. The aim of the partnership is to enable manufacturing of up to 1 billion doses of mRNA-1273 per year. The first batches of the vaccine are expected to be manufactured at Lonza’s U.S. facility in July 2020.

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) has recently announced the launch of its new Sartocheck 5 Plus filter integrity tester. Designed for use in downstream processing, this new integrity tester is the latest development in the established line of Sartocheck units already recognised throughout the pharmaceutical industry.