Archive September 2026

Continuous moisture monitoring helps plastics processors prevent material degradation, optimise dryer performance, and stabilise product quality during bulk material handling. Impact of Moisture on Resin Processing In plastics processing, controlling moisture is critical to maintaining product quality and operational efficiency. Polymer resins, particularly hygroscopic types such as polyamide, PET, polycarbonate, and PLA, absorb atmospheric moisture. When heated during processing, excessive moisture causes hydrolysis, breaking polymer chains and weakening mechanical strength. This can result in brittleness, surface streaking, voids, and elevated scrap rates. Moisture Variations Across Material Handling Moisture levels fluctuate at multiple stages during material handling and bulk solids processing. Fluctuations occur during receiving, storage in silos or octabins, drying, conveying, and inside feed hoppers. Recycled and reclaimed plastics present additional challenges, as incoming material streams often display inconsistent moisture levels depending on their source and storage history. Advantages of Real-Time NIR Measurement Traditional offline…

At Fakuma 2026, Hellweg Maschinenbau will invite visitors to test difficult plastics on its granulators. The true scissor-cut technology produces high-quality regrind ideal for downstream recycling processes. Granulation tests with customer materials At Fakuma 2026 (Stand A1-1005), Hellweg Maschinenbau is giving trade visitors the opportunity to experience the size reduction of challenging plastics using their own material samples. Two fully operational granulators with working widths of 230 mm and 600 mm will be on display to demonstrate performance under demanding conditions. The ground materials on show include films, high-performance plastics and technical fibres. Managing Director Mark Hellweg: “Extensive testing in our in-house technical centre, coupled with practical experience with customers' materials, has shown us that we can rise to any challenge. Anyone who would like to see this for themselves is invited to bring samples of their 'problematic' material to our stand.” Registration is not required, but can be arranged via Louis Hartel (l.hartel@hellweg-maschinenbau.de). Scissor cut for high regrind quality The granulators use a true scissor-cut principle to…

Hosokawa Alpine has developed a new isolator system for its modular Picoline laboratory plant. It enables the safe processing of sensitive powders such as HPAPIs or battery materials in compliance with OEB level 5. Safe handling of critical powders Hosokawa Alpine has expanded its modular Picoline laboratory plant with a new isolator system. The extension ensures the safe processing of small powder quantities containing sensitive or critical substances, such as APIs, HPAPIs, rare earths, or battery materials. High operator protection up to OEB level 5 The containment technology fulfills OEB level 5 requirements for handling hazardous compounds, providing maximum operator and product safety. The isolator integrates into Picoline systems equipped with AS 50, AS 100, and AMB 100 spiral jet mills, allowing reliable scale-up. Flexible single-chamber isolator design Designed as a single-chamber isolator, the system operates under positive or negative pressure. Its mobile, space-saving design permits flexible deployment across laboratory and production areas. An integrated wash-in-place system facilitates easy cleaning. Versatile application in process development In addition to grinding,…

Effective preventive maintenance can increase the service life of industrial bucket elevators by up to 40%. A structured care plan is essential to ensure stable and safe bulk material handling operations. Maintenance Requirements for Belt and Chain Systems Industrial bucket elevators utilize two distinct mechanical designs. Belt elevators require focus on alignment, tensioning, and bucket condition to prevent lateral wear and slippage. In contrast, chain elevators, built for abrasive or high-temperature materials, demand rigorous inspection of synchronized tensioning, sprockets, and specialized lubrication. Preventive Maintenance Schedules for Reliability A consistent routine helps identify minor issues before they lead to costly equipment downtime. Following a tiered inspection strategy ensures that all mechanical components function within their design parameters. * Daily: Monitor for foreign objects, unusual noises, and sensor alignment. * Weekly: Lubricate bearings and verify the tension of the belt or chain. * Monthly: Inspect gear motor oil levels and structural casing tightness. * Semi-annually: Perform deep cleaning and replace any damaged buckets. Early…

GREIF-VELOX's container-based solution delivers a ready-to-operate bagging system directly to the production site. This significantly reduces installation and integration efforts while creating flexible production capacities for bulk materials. The requirements for modern production facilities are changing. Companies today need flexible capacities, short project lead times, and investment solutions that can quickly adapt to changing market conditions. With the VeloUnit Container, GREIF-VELOX has developed a mobile bagging solution that meets exactly these requirements: a pre-assembled container-based plant for fast and efficient bulk material bagging with minimal installation effort. The VeloUnit Container combines the proven technology of the GREIF-VELOX BVPV gross pneumatic packer with a modular container-based system concept. Thanks to its high degree of pre-assembly, installation, integration, and commissioning efforts are significantly reduced. To start production, users only need to connect the container modules and provide a power supply. Extensive construction work and lengthy installation phases are largely eliminated. Flexibility Through Container-Based Design The container concept enables operation…

At POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2026, Masterflex will present high-performance PUR industrial hoses and connection solutions for abrasive bulk solids handling, hygienic conveying, and custom applications. Solutions for demanding material handling At POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2026 in Nuremberg, the Masterflex Group will showcase high-performance industrial hoses and connection systems designed for abrasive media, hygienically demanding processes, and custom applications. The company will exhibit from 29 September to 1 October at the VDMA joint booth in Hall 7, Stand 776. Abrasion-resistant conveying hoses The range highlights include the Master-PUR Inline and Master-PUR Performance bulk material hoses. Featuring high abrasion resistance and smooth inner walls, these PUR conveying hoses ensure reliable transport for abrasive media such as sand, gravel, granules, and feldspar in demanding extraction and conveying processes. Hygienic conveying and engineering services For food and pharmaceutical processes, Masterflex offers the Master-PUR DualFlow spiral hose, featuring a seamless inner lining made of thermoplastic polyurethane. Additionally, Masterflex Engineering Services provides…

REMBE trained more than 50 European sales representatives and subsidiaries in Brilon from 9 to 12 September, including explosion demonstrations. New sites in Poland and France and a logistics centre follow. Meeting of European Partners in Brilon From 9 to 12 September, REMBE headquarters in Brilon hosted the European sales representatives and subsidiaries of the specialist for plant safety and explosion protection. More than 50 participants received intensive training on technology, safety culture and new products, and committed to joining forces to serve the EU single market together. Stefan Penno, CEO of REMBE, opened the event with thoughtful words: "A hundred years ago, Germany destroyed Europe. Now powers outside Europe are trying to tear down the EU single market. At REMBE we will not allow that, and we are joining forces. It is high time!" Fire and Explosion Demonstrations A highlight of the training were fire and explosion demonstrations, also attended by the Brilon fire brigade. All participants were impressed by the impact of dust explosions and by how REMBE products protect people and the environment from serious damage. Expansion in Europe and Investment in…

The Eirich Group has appointed long-standing sales manager Volker Fitz as Chief Sales Officer. He assumes strategic leadership of all global sales activities to strengthen international customer service. Expansion of global sales organisation The Eirich Group is expanding its international sales structure with the creation of the Chief Sales Officer position. Long-standing sales manager Volker Fitz takes over the functional management and coordination of all global sales activities to ensure tailored processing solutions for customers worldwide. Decades of experience within the group Volker Fitz joined Eirich in technical sales in 2000. He subsequently led the sales team for Asia from 2014 before becoming overall head of sales at the company headquarters in Hardheim in 2018. He was appointed authorized signatory in 2024 and brings extensive group expertise to his new role. Strategic focus and international integration Key responsibilities of the new CSO role include market development, systematic sharing of best practices across subsidiaries, and closer integration between sales, engineering, product management, and R&D. The strategy aims to provide uniform service quality…

Six common issues found during bucket elevator inspections, including worn components, damaged or worn buckets, loose sprockets, chain wear and loose fasteners, with practical guidance to improve safety, reliability and performance. This whitepaper examines six common problems identified during 4B bucket elevator inspections and explains the potential consequences of each issue. It covers worn or loose slide lagging, broken and excessively worn elevator buckets, loose sprockets, chain wear and loose fasteners. The paper also highlights practical ways to identify these problems and, where applicable, how monitoring devices can provide early warning or automatic shutdown before a developing issue leads to equipment damage, reduced performance or increased safety risks. The final section explains how regular inspections can help identify problems and support corrective action to bring a bucket elevator back to optimum performance.

Grieshaber Group opens Allgeirhof Training Center. After extensive renovation, a traditional Black Forest farmhouse was transformed into a unique venue for the exchange of knowledge and face-to-face contact. Schiltach/Wolfach. The Grieshaber Group has officially opened the Allgeirhof Training Center. After extensive renovation, a traditional Black Forest farmhouse was transformed into a unique venue for the exchange of knowledge and face-to-face contact. For the sister companies VEGA, Grieshaber Precision and Supfina, this project is an investment not only in modern professional development, but also in the Black Forest as a long-term location. Tradition and future Spanning some 1,750 square metres, Allgeirhof combines historic architecture with state-of-the-art technology. The characteristic Black Forest farmhouse façade was immaculately preserved, whilst the interior of the building underwent a complete restructuring. Classrooms for practical and theoretical training enable highly specialised instruction; the installed state-of-the-art media technology supports hybrid training formats. “Allgeirhof embodies the blend of tradition and innovation. With this special venue,…

Waste Overall Solutions and singold jointly developed a trolley-mounted solution that enables a single distance knocker to reach the entire length of a rotary drum. When damp fly ash adheres to the inner wall of a rotary drum, production downtime and labour-intensive cleaning operations are only a matter of time. This was the challenge faced by Waste Overall Solutions S.A. Through close development collaboration between the Greek waste management specialist and singold gerätetechnik gmbh, a simple yet highly innovative solution… When damp fly ash adheres to the inner wall of a rotary drum, production downtime and labour-intensive cleaning operations are only a matter of time. This was the challenge faced by Waste Overall Solutions S.A. Through close development collaboration between the Greek waste management specialist and singold gerätetechnik gmbh, a simple yet highly innovative solution was created: a pneumatic singold QJ 80 Distance Knocker mounted on a movable carriage, enabling it to access virtually the entire length of the rotating drum. The challenge What begins as a thin layer gradually builds up with every revolution…

At Powtech Technopharm 2026, the focus will be on standardized filling and bagging systems, automated fine-thread closures, dust-free vacuum packaging, integrated robotic labeling and Packaging as a Service for greater process reliability. At Powtech Technopharm 2026 from September 29 to October 1, 2026, Greif-Velox will present solutions for filling, bagging and palletizing powders, granules and liquids in Hall 9, Booth 9-450. Two applications can be experienced live at the booth: the ValvoSeal Safe ultrasonic sealing solution and a Bizerba label robot for automated drum labeling. In addition, Greif-Velox will provide information on standardized packaging systems, the automation of previously manual process steps and new models for the flexible use of packaging technology. MOIN Powtech – Machines. Original. Innovative. North. Under the motto “MOIN Powtech,” Greif-Velox will present its range of solutions from individual machines to complete packaging lines. The portfolio includes systems for valve bags and FIBCs as well as solutions for canisters, drums and IBCs, complemented by palletizing, service and digitalization solutions. Essential Line: standardized solutions for typical applications With…

WtE plants manage diverse bulk materials. Radar scanners, level sensors, and point switches optimize inventory in pits, hoppers, and silos. Waste-to-energy (WtE) plants handle a variety of materials, including incoming waste, combustion residues, flue gas treatment reagents, and leachate. These materials can create different measurement challenges, such as dust, fog, high humidity, material buildup, corrosion, and irregular material surfaces. For this reason, WtE plants often require different monitoring technologies for different process areas. 3D radar scanning, radar level measurement, laser scanning, and point-level switches can be selected according to the material, operating conditions, and monitoring requirements. Monitoring Challenges Across Waste-to-Energy Plants Waste Storage Pits Waste storage pits contain mixed and irregular materials that are constantly changing. Moisture, fog, dust, and odors can also make visual inspection difficult. A 3DPro2300 Radar Scanner can scan the material surface and generate a three-dimensional model, providing information about material height, surface distribution,…

Goudsmit Magnetics has launched DeepReach, a product range for magnetic separation in recycling and bulk material applications. The deep magnetic field maximizes metal recovery while reducing energy costs. Maximum metal yield in recycling processes Goudsmit Magnetics has introduced DeepReach, uniting its deep-field separation technology under a single brand name. The range comprises the DeepReach Permanent Overband and the DeepReach Drum Separator. Both solutions are engineered to handle demanding recycling and bulk material flows, delivering high magnetic force to extract ferrous metals from deep within moving product streams. Permanent overband with high magnetic force The DeepReach Permanent Overband separator is designed for heavy-duty recycling applications. It generates a magnetic field comparable to or stronger than electromagnets of similar dimensions, but without requiring power for magnetization. This eliminates heat generation, complex wiring, and high electricity costs while lowering maintenance requirements and downtime for conveyor systems. High-capacity drum separation for bulk flows For large-scale processing, the DeepReach Drum Separator handles throughput…

Battery recycling requires dust extraction during crushing, conveying and screening. Infastaub offers enclosed systems with ATEX-compliant filters. Mit dem rasanten Wachstum der Batterieindustrie rückt auch das Thema Batterierecycling zunehmend in den Mittelpunkt. Während derzeit noch große Produktionskapazitäten aufgebaut werden, zeichnet sich bereits ab, dass in den kommenden Jahren erhebliche Mengen an Altbatterien und Produktionsabfällen in den Recyclingkreislauf zurückgeführt werden müssen. Damit steigen zugleich die Anforderungen an die industrielle Entstaubung. Bei der Aufbereitung von Lithium-Ionen-Batterien entstehen in nahezu allen Prozessschritten Stäube. Ob beim Schreddern, Fördern, Sieben, Sortieren oder bei Bandübergaben – insbesondere Graphit- und Lithium-Metalloxid-Stäube stellen hohe Anforderungen an Anlagentechnik und Arbeitsschutz. Die trockenen, rieselfähigen Stäube sind häufig brennbar, teilweise toxisch und können ein erhebliches Explosions- und Gesundheitsrisiko darstellen. Hier setzt die Infastaub GmbH mit maßgeschneiderten Entstaubungslösungen an. Das Unternehmen verfügt…