Laboratory analysis using graduated sieves is a tried and tested way to determine particle size distribution in the management of grinding operations. But although it is accurate, sieving is time-consuming. A new inline particle size measurement system brings the accuracy of sieve analysis to real-time measurement.

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.

At its plant in Waco, Texas/USA, Allergan packs single-use eye drop vials in cartons of various sizes, and also in sealed plastic trays. Previously these two packaging types needed two separate equipment lines, but for the last few months the company has been using a GMP-compliant packaging line which can do both.

Located in Alabama, the plant is Arkema’s maiden facility in the USA. The move is in line with the firm’s ambitious growth strategy for developing high-performance polymers and advanced materials.

Chemical production in Leverkusen has one foot in the future. The F³ project was launched to ensure that the European chemical industry remains competitive in the world market. PROCESS took a look behind the scenes.

Exact and reliable chemical analysis of feedstocks and products is very important in the manufacture of fine chemicals. Laboratory gas chromatographs are among the techniques traditionally used for this task, but pressure to improve process operations has brought change. Online process gas chromatography now provides significant benefits, as shown on a naphtha cracker.

Since 2003 when Bayer Technology Services has set up an independent legal entity evolving from the Bayer Group, the company was growing fast in the China market. Seven years later, on the occasion of this year’s AchemAsia, PROCESS spoke with Dr. Martin Franke, the new Managing Director of Bayer Technology and Engineering (Shanghai) — BTES in short — about the latest strategy.

FDT (Field Device Tool) is an established standard for device integration in both process as well as factory automation. For process automation the unification of FDT and EDDL (Electronic Device Description Language) to FDI (Field Device Integration) is under development. This article explains the concepts of FDT and FDI and presents a bridging solution.

PROCESS celebrates its 25th anniversary — and we look forward to taking you on a journey through time to the high points in the process industry. We hope to present technology that will excite and companies that have impressed us as pioneers and trendsetters. In the period up until the summer of 2020, we are going to show off a glittering range of innovations that will thrill and inspire in equal measure. We promise!

For years, Siemens has been the number one trendsetter and driving force behind digitization. The technology giant has created a dedicated digital ecosystem that covers every aspect of the value creation chain: from design and planning through production and operation to maintenance and service. At its heart is the so-called “digital twin”, which enables a seamless exchange of information via integrated data models.