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A global pharmaceutical manufacturer producing high-value sterile active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including peptide-based medicines A leading pharmaceutical manufacturer produces over 250 high-value sterile active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including complex peptide formulations such as Octreotide. These APIs form the critical components within medicines, delivering essential therapeutic benefits. Using aseptic manufacturing processes, the company produces microsphere powders, tiny, spherical particles ranging from 1 to 1,000 microns. These particles are central to advanced drug delivery systems, requiring precise and hygienic handling throughout production. Following initial processing, the manufacturer sieves the microsphere powders at 71 microns using an ultrasonic sifter within a sterile, controlled environment. However, the existing solution posed significant challenges. With a limited throughput of just 1.5 kg/hour, the system could not meet increasing market demand, restricting production scalability. To overcome these limitations, the manufacturer explored alternative GMP-compliant…

Digital upgrading across heavy industrial sectors highlights a growing necessity for precise inventory tracking, safety monitoring, and automated management. Large storage sheds and raw coal silos require safer and more efficient monitoring solutions. Heavy coal dust clouds, wide temperature variations, and strict explosion-proof requirements frequently challenge field sensors. In these environments, highly irregular material surfaces make precise inventory control extremely difficult to maintain through basic measurement methods. To address these complex physical formations, field-proven radar technology offers an integrated sensing network to transform bulk inventory control from rough approximations into real-time, visual data. Overcoming Critical Challenges in Coal Silo Inventory Management Inside massive bulk storage yards, material handling presents a distinct set of operational challenges: ● Dense Airborne Dust: High dust concentration and wide temperature…

The GREIF-VELOX CONNECT 2026 in Lübeck showed how the bulk solids and liquid filling industry is tackling economic pressures through connected thinking, modular technologies, and flexible new business models. Live Retrofits: Smart Upgrades, Not Full Replacements Unlike traditional trade fairs, this event emphasized proximity to real-world applications. Visitors experienced machines directly in production, including ongoing retrofit projects like the BVP pneumatic packer. Upgraded with automatic bag feeding and ValvoCare sealing, these modular solutions integrate into existing third-party equipment, enabling step-by-step modernization instead of costly full replacements. Essential Line: Shrinking Delivery Times by Months A central topic was the Essential Line, a standardized machine concept designed to address economic pressures. By offering preconfigured solutions that cover roughly 80% of typical applications, it significantly reduces engineering effort. This slashes delivery times from several months down to just four weeks, delivering vital speed and investment security. Pay-per-Use: Shifting Capex to Scalable Opex Together with partners like CHG-MERIDIAN, GREIF-VELOX…

Pharmaceutical solid processes place high demands on accuracy and control from the beginning. This diversity must be reliably controlled in the production process. Pharmaceutical solid processes place high demands on accuracy and control from the beginning. Raw materials are precisely specified, active ingredients are often highly effective and present in small amounts, and each batch must be processed consistently. Even the smallest deviations can have an impact on subsequent process steps. In daily practice, it mostly involves powders, granules, and premixes, whose physical properties – such as particle size, bulk density, or flow behavior – vary greatly. This diversity must be reliably controlled in the production process so that stable active ingredient-excipient systems, functional intermediates, or premixes for solid dosage forms can be created. Typical dry products of the pharmaceutical industry include: * pharmaceutical active ingredients (APIs) * excipients such as lactose, mannitol, starch or cellulose derivatives * premixes for tablet and capsule production * granules * powder mixtures for oral dosage…

Akona Process Solutions has appointed Patrick Pitz as regional sales manager for Benelux, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Turkey. Akona Process Solutions, a leading provider of material processing and handling solutions, has appointed Patrick Pitz as regional sales manager for Benelux, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Turkey, further strengthening its support for customers across Europe. Strategic Leadership for Market Expansion Patrick brings more than 25 years’ experience in business development, European sales and key account management across the industrial and construction sectors. Throughout his career, he has held a number of international commercial leadership roles, specialising in market expansion, strategic marketing and technical project management. Having worked with global organisations including Power Adhesives, Thyssenkrupp and Equant, Patrick has successfully developed international customer portfolios, strengthened key account relationships and led both commercial and technical teams to drive sustainable business growth. Fluent in French, German,…

VEGA officially commissioned and identity celebrated the opening of a new location in Jiaxing, China, at the end of May. Schiltach/Jiaxing. The measurement technology manufacturer VEGA Grieshaber KG from Schiltach is further expanding its international presence. At the end of May, the company officially commissioned and celebrated the opening of a new location in Jiaxing, China. Following the expansion of electronics production in the USA in October 2025, the company is strengthening its global production strategy and creating the basis for further growth. Production at the headquarters in Schiltach will remain in place and will be supplemented by the new plant. VEGA has now been active on the Chinese market for 37 years. The newly constructed building in Jiaxing comprises around 21,000 square meters of production, warehouse, and office space. The location provides space for about 180 employees. The start of production was preceded by several years of intensive planning. Construction was completed on schedule: following the start of construction in December 2024, the project was completed…

Reliable protection against silo overfilling The silo pressure transmitters in the MOLOSpressdec series are maintenance-free and offer a high level of safety at a low cost. They are used for pressure monitoring in silos and containers that are filled with bulk materials via a pneumatic conveying system. Depending on the model, the detector either emits a signal as soon as the pressure reaches the switching point at 40 mbar, or the relative pressure of 0 ... 100 mbar is output as a standard industrial signal of 4–20 mA. The MOLOSpressdec-MSD is available with ATEX certifications for use in areas at risk of dust and gas explosions. Various model variants, e.g., including those with stainless steel housings, allow for easy adaptation to the specific application. This measuring device is characterized by high reliability and extremely simple installation. This makes it very easy to reliably avoid the often very costly consequences of overfilling silos or containers.

The 3DPro2501 Laser Scanner transforms copper mining logistics by replacing manual estimates with high-accuracy 3D data, ensuring operational efficiency in the harshest industrial environments. The Cost of Manual Measurement in Copper Mining For years, large-scale copper mines have struggled with inventory control due to a reliance on manual measurements and subjective judgment. Inaccurate data and delayed reporting created a disconnect between procurement, production, and finance, leading to reactive decision-making. These inefficiencies directly impacted cost control, as the lack of a standardized system made it nearly impossible to maintain a precise balance of ore powder across expansive stockyards and enclosed storage areas. Overcoming Environmental Risks and Data Lag The physical reality of mining—irregular stockpiles, high dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures—renders traditional measurement tools unreliable. Manual surveys were not only time-consuming, often halting operations for a full day, but also posed significant safety risks to workers navigating unstable piles. Because records lagged behind actual site conditions, the facility frequently…

A comparative measurement by IFG and BG RCI confirms that the contact-free AirScrape sealing system significantly reduces dust emissions and workplace exposure compared to conventional side sealing systems. Severe dust challenges in potassium sulfate handling A production site in the chemical industry faced considerable challenges caused by dust emissions in conveyor transfer areas. In particular, the handling of fine potassium sulfate resulted in elevated dust exposure within the working environment. To objectively evaluate potential optimization measures, a comparative emission measurement was carried out under real operating conditions. The objective was to reliably quantify the effectiveness of different sealing systems and establish a sound basis for decision-making. Independent field testing under real operating conditions The investigation was conducted by independent specialized institutions — the Institute for Hazardous Substance Research (IFG) and the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Raw Materials and Chemical Industry (BG RCI) — to ensure a neutral and technically sound assessment. As part of a comparative measurement, two different…

Qlar (formerly Schenck Process) will be presenting its new Qlar Test Bench software at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin (Hall Railway Infrastructure 23, Stand 345). The operating software supports railway workshops and infrastructure operators in the preparation, execution and follow-up of rail vehicle inspections – from master data management and guided test procedures through to the creation and archiving of test reports. The maintenance and safe construction of new rail vehicles are under increasing pressure, as processes need to be faster, more reproducible and better documented. At the same time, demands for the secure processing and integration of data are growing. As a modern platform for test bench processes, the Qlar Test Bench Software guides users through predefined test steps using a tried-and-tested workflow. During testing, key functions such as the real-time display of essential measurement data and an overview of the system status are available at all times. For documentation purposes, the software generates test reports in accordance with DIN 25043 based on predefined templates: test results are archived on…

Coal storage environments often present severe operational challenges, including thick dust, uneven material surfaces, and unpredictable blind spots. Traditional point-measurement tools struggle to track irregular material configurations accurately, impacting inventory control and worker safety. Deploying field-proven 3D sensing systems addresses these industry bottlenecks by providing real-time 3D volumetric reconstruction to deliver accurate stock data and safer operating conditions. Coal Storage Hazards: Structural Blind Spots and Dust Inside massive coal silos, persistent airborne dust can degrade the performance of basic optical and acoustic tracking devices. Material loading and discharging processes create highly irregular piles with unexpected peaks and steep slopes. Traditional radar sensors only track the exact coordinate beneath their mounting spot, leaving the surrounding terrain unmeasured. These hidden blind spots affect the precision of volume tracking,…

Particle size, particle size distribution, and homogeneity influence numerous properties of powders and granules.A ccordingly, laboratories place great ... Particle size, particle size distribution, and homogeneity influence numerous properties of powders and granules. Accordingly, laboratories place great emphasis on the careful preparation of raw materials and product samples. Grinding, pre-mixing, and particle size analysis are among the routine steps that precede many development and quality control tasks. New raw materials, modified formulations, or adjusted process parameters are typically evaluated in the laboratory before being introduced into production. To ensure comparable results, materials must be prepared under defined conditions. Variations in particle size or uneven distribution of individual components can significantly affect the assessment of material and product properties. FUCHS Maschinen AG, based in Granges-Paccot, Switzerland, develops and manufactures equipment for the processing of powders, granules, and other free-flowing bulk materials. Its product range includes solutions for grinding,…

BOLZ INTEC develops stainless steel vessels for the storage, transport, and processing of pharmaceutical active ingredients (APIs), powders, granules, and... In pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, vessels must meet stringent requirements for hygiene, product safety, and cleanability. At the same time, when handling powders and bulk solids, factors such as discharge performance, product residues, and contamination risks play a crucial role. BOLZ INTEC manufactures stainless steel vessels for a wide range of applications throughout the process chain. The portfolio includes transport and storage containers, mixing and reaction vessels, fermenters, and WFI tanks for high-purity media. The containers are designed according to specific process requirements in terms of material grade, capacity, surface finish, and equipment. For use in GMP-regulated production environments, the containers are designed in accordance with hygienic design principles. The aim is to minimize dead spaces and hard-to-access areas, thereby supporting reproducible cleaning processes and safe operation. Depending on the application, FDA-compliant…

TBMA has announced the reintroduction of its MAX and RAX medium-duty rotary valves, engineered to provide reliable dosing and conveying solutions for powders and granules within bulk solids processing industries. Optimized for Limited Differential Pressure The reintroduced rotary valves are specifically engineered for applications with limited differential pressure. These units ensure optimal performance in low-pressure pneumatic conveying systems, under cyclones and filters, and during big-bag discharging operations. Built with a robust and compact construction, they are equipped with dust-tight, sealed-for-life bearings that guarantee a long operational lifespan in continuous industrial production processes. Distinct Flange Designs Ensure Application Flexibility The product line offers distinct design variations to fit specific system integration needs. The MAX models feature standard round connecting flanges across four inlet sizes. Conversely, the RAX models are built with a relatively large flange diameter in comparison to their rotor capacity, serving as a practical solution when flange dimensions take priority. Featuring a combination of round and square flanges,…

The Masterflex Group consistently uses recyclable Cradle to Cradle hose solutions in its day-to-day production. Sustainable Hoses: From Theory to Practice As a global market leader and award-winning top innovator, Masterflex closely analyzes the performance of its recyclable hoses. Through real-world operation in its own demanding manufacturing environment, the company gains reliable insights into service life and directly applies these to further development, quality assurance, and scaling. “What works for us also works for our customers under real-world conditions,” notes developer Jan Steinmann. Hose Leadership and Innovation for the Circular Economy “The Masterflex Group is well on its way to an eco-effective future. We still need plastics, but the right ones. This makes it all the more gratifying to use hose solutions developed according to the Cradle to Cradle principles at our own locations. When we have such confidence in our own products, it sends a strong and important signal to the industry,” says CEO Andreas Bastin. The Cradle-to-Cradle concept was…

Maximize uptime for your GKM Tumbler screening machine. Combining OPTIME wireless condition monitoring with automatic lubrication, this smart solution detects bearing wear early and optimizes maintenance to eliminate costly unplanned downtime. Predict Failures Before They Cost You Bearing failure is a leading cause of unplanned machine downtime. GKM partners with OPTIME to offer a wireless condition monitoring system that tracks the vibrations and temperature of your Tumbler Screener in real time. By pairing continuous tracking with an automatic lubrication system, your machinery receives precise lubrication exactly when needed, extending bearing life and maximizing equipment availability. Key Benefits for Your Production * Predictive Maintenance: Detect anomalies early and schedule repairs before failures occur. * Automated Care: Continuous, precise lubrication prevents over- or under-lubrication. * App-Based Control: Access real-time machine health data anywhere, anytime. * Cost Efficiency: Lower manual maintenance efforts and slash unexpected operational costs. Four Steps to Smarter Operations # Easy Installation: Mount wireless OPTIME sensors directly onto the bearing points. # Data Collection:…

Modern agriculture relies on innovative tools to bridge the gap between field harvesting and safe bulk storage. Once grains are safely moved into open yards, facilities face a critical challenge: tracking inventory volume accurately across massive, irregular material surfaces while minimizing high-altitude inspection risks. The field-proven 3D laser scanner technology addresses these operational bottlenecks. By generating real-time 3D surface mapping of stock surfaces, the technology eliminates inventory discrepancies without exposing workers to hazardous climbing tasks. 3D Sensing Eliminates Manual Volume Errors Traditional inventory tracking forces workers to climb across massive grain stockyards and estimate bulk volumes using simple tape measures. Because large grain piles naturally form irregular peaks and valleys during handling, these manual checks create severe data gaps. Advanced 3D Sensing technology addresses this issue directly by performing automated…

“More successful with Pöttinger” – the company delivers on this customer promise through reliable partnerships and the use of the latest methods. In product development, this means making intensive use of simulation technology and continuously expanding its application. Simulation enables Pöttinger to manage growing product complexity while driving innovation and ensuring maximum quality. Pöttinger has been using simulation for more than 25 years. Initially, Ansys was used as an application on a CAD workstation. In 2007, the company established a dedicated department equipped with several Ansys licenses and a close partnership with the CADFEM Austria team. Since then, simulation has been a core element of the agile, networked, and collaborative product development approach known as the “Pöttinger Creation Process” (PEP). Josef Bruckner has been a simulation engineer at Pöttinger since 2016 and has headed the simulation team of the internationally leading agricultural machinery specialist ever since. Most of the simulations focus on structural mechanics and cover a wide range of complex tasks such as…

CASE Construction Equipment will return to Hillhead 2026 at Stand X10, presenting an advanced line-up of machinery, specialist application equipment, and comprehensive customer support solutions. High-Performance Machinery Display Visitors can explore a select range of machines engineered for high performance, efficiency, and reliability in demanding environments, complete with CNH attachments. The static display features the 421G compact wheel loader, the new 921G+ wheel loader, the CX90E midi excavator, the CX135E-XRD demolition excavator, and the CX210E-S crawler excavator. Additionally, CASE will host the European premiere of a brand-new backhoe loader model. In the live quarry demonstration area, the 1121G+ X-DRIVE wheel loader will operate under real working conditions. Expertise, AfterSales, and Tech Solutions The event serves as a hub for customers, operators, and industry professionals to connect directly with CASE experts and authorized dealers regarding fleet requirements and technical developments. The CASE AfterSales team will present service capabilities, parts availability, and uptime solutions. At the Tech Hub, visitors can access the new…

Dust and hazards plague conventional stockpile inventory. RETTAR’s 3DPro2300 Radar Scanner builds precise 3D volume models, enabling real-time inventory visibility and safeguarding staff safety amid tough industrial conditions. The Critical Role of Stockyards in Industrial Logistics Stockyards are the operational hubs for bulk material management, serving as the central nervous system for raw material storage, dynamic inventory auditing, and precise distribution. In the era of Industry 4.0, the demand for digitized inventory and real-time monitoring has never been higher. However, traditional open or semi-enclosed stockyards remain a bottleneck. The primary challenges include heavy dust concentrations that blind optical sensors, irregular material piles that defy manual measurement, and the high risk of accidents when workers climb unstable piles for manual audits. Furthermore, extreme weather and humidity often cause traditional equipment to fail, leading to significant financial discrepancies and operational delays. Beyond Laser: Radar as the New Standard for Harsh Environments To address these persistent pain points, RETTAR has introduced the 3DPro2300 Radar Scanner, an all-in-one…

Co-author Dietmar Lerche honoured for a Top viewed Wiley article in 2025 LUM GmbH is renowned for its scientific and metrological expertise, specializing in particle characterization, stability assessment of suspensions and emulsions, determination of adhesion strengths, as well as quality assurance and process optimization. LUM is equally recognized for its patented technologies and scientific application studies, and serves as a scientific partner, sponsor, and contributor to various international standardization organizations and technology promotion initiatives. LUM’s contributions to battery and fuel cell research fit squarely within this context, building upon the STEP-Technology®—developed by LUM for characterizing particle properties and interactions—as well as the CAT-Technology® for determining the mechanical strength of electrode layers. While STEP-Technology, combined with optical detection, has been employed in fields such as fuel cell technology since as early as 2008, the integration of X-ray radiation in recent…

Struggling with inaccurate bulk inventory? Discover how RETTAR’s 3D Radar technology eliminates dust interference, blind spots, and manual climbing risks to deliver precise, real-time volume mapping for smarter operational control. Industrial production facilities face a major problem with tracking bulk materials. Traditional methods are often inaccurate, disrupting production schedules and driving up operational costs. This article explains how 3D sensing technology eliminates blind spots and measurement errors caused by heavy dust and irregular material surfaces. By reading this guide, operations managers will discover how real-time 3D surface mapping creates precise control, removes high-altitude climbing risks, and secures complete stockyard visibility. 1. Blind Spots in Mining Storage Silos Large mining storage silos feature massive dimensions that traditional meters cannot fully cover. Traditional sensors only measure one point directly below them, leaving most of the material surface unmonitored. The 3DPro2300 Radar Scanner solves this limitation by using an internal multi-dimensional rotation mechanism. It captures 16,200 measurement points to map the entire interior of the silo. This…

WEMO-techniek’s new Kempink In-line PDI tester Ctrl brings continuous pellet quality monitoring directly into the feed production line, combining strict quality assurance with significant energy and material savings. Real-Time Quality Control for Feed Manufacturers WEMO‑techniek introduces the Kempink In‑line PDI tester for continuous pellet durability measurement directly within the feed production process. Real‑time PDI monitoring supports feed manufacturers in strengthening their quality assurance systems, providing objective process data that helps demonstrate compliance with requirements such as GMP+. Lower Energy Costs and Reduced Equipment Wear Continuous measurement enables immediate process adjustments, resulting in savings on raw materials and energy by avoiding over‑processing. More stable process conditions also reduce mechanical wear, leading to lower maintenance costs and improved line availability. At the same time, operators can focus on production control instead of manual sampling and offline testing. Data-Driven Insights for Smarter Optimization The Ctrl version adds data intelligence to the Kempink In‑line PDI tester. By combining real‑time…