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Cattle and pig farms rely on stable, earthquake-proof building constructions

The German biogas specialist WELTEC BIOPOWER continues to be very active on the Japanese market. Following the installation of several agricultural plants in recent years, the company from Lower Saxony has now reported an order for a 450-kilowatt plant from the agricultural sector as well as a 250-kilowatt biogas plant in Yamagata Prefecture with additional WELTEC BLUE WATER treatment, which is currently being implemented. In addition, a 450-kilowatt plant for a pig farm near Nagano Prefecture is currently being planned. Thanks to its many years of project experience in earthquake zones – in Japan and Greece – WELTEC BIOPOWER is able to adapt its technical solutions to seismically active areas in the shortest possible time using special structural engineering.

Processing of fermentation residues ensures operational material cycle
Two digesters are available in Yamagata Prefecture to feed the 80 tons of cattle manure per day, which is used exclu- sively to generate electricity and heat in the 250-kilowatt plant. WELTEC‘s scope of supply also includes two storage tanks, a pump container, a separation unit and the combined heat and power plant (CHP). In addition to the biogas project, a WELTEC BLUE WATER plant with a processing capacity of 50,000 tons of digestate (manure and wastewater from milk production) per year is currently being constructed. The treatment technology separates the digestate from the biogas plant in a multi-stage process into solid and liquid fertilizer and dischargeable water. The resulting solid phase offers a wide range of marketing options, such as use as fertilizer in the field or as bedding in stables. This enables the operator to make additional savings on transport costs by reducing the volume of the source material.

The distribution of output materials varies depending on the dry matter content of the fermentation residue. In this project, the amount of solid fertilizer is around 3 percent, the nutrient concentrate 29 percent and the water 68 percent. Thanks to the sophisticated modular design, the industrial technology can be easily expanded in the future. A WELTEC BLUE WATER plant in Reichenbach in Vogtland, Germany, was already put into operation in March 2024 (see press release ‘Reichenbach’, March 2024).

Special solution for digesters for processing pig and cattle manure
From 2025, the operators of the 450-kilowatt plant will be filling a mix of 18 tons of cattle manure and food waste from the surrounding area into their digesters every day. WELTEC‘s innovative modular digester system makes it possible to individually adapt the diameter and height to meet customers‘ volume requirements or local building regulations, such as height restrictions. Instead of the usual height of 6.30 m, the digesters have been adapted to a height of 5.03 m. At both plant locations, the electricity is fed into the grid and the heat is utilized for efficient fermentation in the digesters. The fermentation residue from the 450-kilowatt plant is processed in sewage treatment plants near the sites before being used as fertilizer. A further plant is currently being planned in Nagano Prefecture. The height of the digester is also adapted as a special solution to 05.03 meters and equipped with a capacity of 450 kilowatts.

WELTEC CONTROL for quick access
The installed, web-based WELTEC CONTROL software gives Japanese operators quick access to all important system parameters. The system with its intuitive user interface also simplifies feeding processes thanks to the FellowFeed and GuidoFill functions as well as exportable reports as evidence for banks and experts. If faults occur, WELTEC offers operators training and support via remote control. Equipped with this technology and local biomass sources, the projects are exemplary for the economical operation of small biogas plants.


Forward-looking statements
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based on what the Company's management believes to be reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

In Great Britain, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require employers to eliminate or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace. This includes adhering to two European Directives including Directive 2014/34/EU, also known as the ATEX Equipment Directive, which concerns equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. 

Production facilities that use combustible powders as part of their production process, or those which create a very fine waste which is classed as combustible dust, should all use ATEX rated equipment.

Kerstar’s UK manufactured ATEX certified industrial vacuum cleaners are suitable for use in Gas Zones 1 and Dust Zones 21 & 22 – as specified on the rating plate on every unit. All of Kerstar’s compressed air (KAV range) and electric (KEVA range) ATEX vacuums provide three-stage filtration which includes a specially designed microfibre bag with a cap which, when closed, cannot be re-opened, and a HEPA H14 filter – offering 99.995% efficiency for dusts and powders as fine as 0.3 micron.

All KAV and KEVA models offer stainless steel canisters mounted on a stainless steel caddy fitted with conductive braked castors and wheels - this ensures each vacuum is antistatic and conductive from top to bottom. Every machine is supplied with a fully conductive hose and accessory kit, and a full earth path continuity certificate.

Kerstar Business Development Manager, Brian Folland, comments, “It’s really important that employers ensure they are providing equipment which is fit for purpose – particularly in potentially explosive atmospheres. This is just as important for cleaning equipment as it is for production machinery. Everything used in an ATEX rated Zone must be certified to meet the ATEX Directives.”

Find out more about Kerstar’s ATEX certified and Type H (suitable for use with hazardous dusts) vacuum cleaners by visiting www.kerstar.com.

i.safe MOBILE presents the new IS-TH2ER.1 mobile barcode scanner the first time at LogiMAT in Stuttgart from 11 to 13 March 2025. The innovative combination of IS-TH2ER.1 and the IS540.1 5G smartphone is approved for safe and uncomplicated use in Zone 1/21 hazardous industrial areas. The product will be showcased to trade visitors at the partner stands of COT (Hall 2, Stand B10) and PriorityID (Hall 2, Stand B37). 

The IS-TH2ER.1 is the latest development from i.safe MOBILE and offers a number of new improvements over its predecessor. With the Zebra SE55 scan engine and IntelliFocus™ technology, the scanner with new green aiming device enables an impressive reading range of up to 12 metres and the fast and reliable capture of 1D and 2D barcodes - even under difficult conditions such as dirty or damaged codes. This makes the IS-TH2ER.1 the best choice for a wide range of industrial applications, from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry to the oil and gas industry and mining.

Benedikt Eckert, Head of Sales Europe at i.safe MOBILE, comments: “We are delighted to introduce our new product, the IS-TH2ER.1, at two of our partners’ stands at LogiMAT. The IS-TH2ER.1 and our 5G smartphone IS540.1 combine innovation, performance, safety and reliability and are the ideal combination for our customers working in critical and hazardous environments. As with all our product developments, our credo here was to offer our customers an even better solution for their daily challenges.”

Advantages of the IS-TH2ER.1:

• Wide range: the IS-TH2ER.1 enables scans over up to 12 metres, ideal for applications in high-bay warehouses and large production areas.
• Intelligent decoding: PRZM Intelligent Imaging technology and the green aimer, which is up to seven times more visible than a red aimer, optimises barcode scanning even in difficult environments - even in poor lighting conditions or with damaged codes.
• Safe and easy handling: The IS540.1 smartphone is inserted into the handheld barcode scanner, securely connected via the ISM interface and data can be scanned and reliably processed immediately. The IS-TH2ER.1 is supplied with power via the ISM interface to the IS540.1, so the barcode scanner does not require its own battery.
• Wide range of applications: In combination with the IS540.1, the IS-TH2ER.1 replaces several devices and offers a reliable solution for barcode capture as well as for fast and mobile data processing in hazardous industrial areas.

The IS540.1 5G Android™ smartphone is the ideal basis for the multifunctional scan set. With a clear 6-inch full HD display, a 48 MP camera and a powerful processor, it is optimised for the most demanding industrial applications such as predictive maintenance and process monitoring. The IS540.1 has a replaceable 4400 mAh battery for shift use, a programmable side button (for PoC/PTT) and a red button for lone worker protection. Additional accessories, such as the intelligent inspection system for valve leakage detection in hazardous areas Valve Sense (IS-VS1A.1) or the wired Remote Speaker Microphone (IS-RSM3A.1), can be connected via the 16-pin ISM interface on the side.

Industrial application areas and scenarios:

• Chemical industry: The IS-TH2ER.1 enables the digital recording of materials and products that are processed in chemical production. This allows companies to ensure the quality and route of chemicals throughout the entire production cycle.
• Oil and gas industry: The IS-TH2ER.1 optimises the monitoring and documentation of processes by enabling reliable and fast barcode capture in hazardous environments.
• Pharmaceutical industry: The scanner supports the tracking of raw materials and products to fulfil the strict regulations for traceability and quality assurance in pharmaceutical production.
• Food industry: The IS-TH2ER.1 ensures quality assurance and tracking of ingredients and food products by enabling accurate barcode capture for the safe transport and storage of products.
• Mining: ATEX-certified scanners such as the IS-TH2ER.1 are critical for safety and documentation in mining, where every step of the production process must be monitored.
• Logistics and warehousing: The IS-TH2ER.1 is the mobile scanning device of choice for the identification of stored hazardous materials. The captured data is processed safely and quickly, enabling efficient inventory management.
• Maintenance and inspection: Thanks to its easy handling and Ex-certified design, the IS-TH2ER.1 can be used reliably in the most demanding environments for the maintenance and inspection of machines and systems.

Configuration of the IS-TH2ER.1
The Zebra 123Scan software facilitates a wide range of settings and customisations, allows configurations to be saved and applied to different scanners, making it much easier to manage multiple devices. With this user-friendly software, the scanner can be easily configured and optimised to meet specific requirements. The most important functions include:

• Barcode configuration: barcode types are selected (e.g. QR codes, UPC, Code 128) and settings are customised for each type. 
• Scan settings: Scan settings can be customised for scan sensitivity, scan timeouts and the number of attempts the scanner should make to read a barcode.
• Data formatting: The output of the scanned data can be adjusted, e.g. by adding prefixes or suffixes or removing certain characters.
• Audible and visual signals: Audible and visual signals (LED) for successful or failed scans can be defined.
• Firmware updates: Firmware updates for new functions and security updates can be carried out via the software.
• Customised profiles: Various configuration profiles can be created for different applications and users.

Scope of delivery:

• Trigger Handle IS-TH2ER.1
• Lanyard
• Safety instructions
• Slotted screwdriver
• Pre-installed NFC antenna extension

Additional accessories:

• IS-DCTH1.1 - Desktop Charger Set
• IS-MCTH1.1 - Multi Charger Set
• Holster

Customers who were already using the previous model have the option of continuing to use the existing charging accessories.

The IS-TH2ER.1 will be available from end of Q2/2025.

Technical information and the data sheet can be found here.
A selection of press images for download can be found here.

www.isafe-mobile.com
i.safe MOBILE on LinkedIn
i.safe MOBILE on YouTube 

Inteliheat™ hazardous area certified heating jackets from LMK Thermosafe Ltd are revolutionising industrial heating solutions, offering unparalleled safety and efficiency for projects where heaters are required in potentially explosive environments.

Designed for use with drums, IBCs, and other containers, they ensure repeatable temperature control, critical for processes like viscosity management, freeze protection, and melting of solids.

A NEW standout feature is their ease of integration with the Proxatex™ patented temperature controller. This ATEX/IECEx/UL/CSA certified controller provides exceptional additional precision and safety in Zone 1 and 2 hazardous areas.

It can be integrated directly onto the flexible jacket or mounted alongside.

By utilising NearField Communication (NFC) technology, users can effortlessly adjust control parameters using pre-programmed NFC cards, eliminating manual errors and ensuring consistent performance. These innovative systems allow for secure and efficient temperature management, even in high-risk areas.

Constructed with chemically resistant silicone-coated glass cloth and high-density fibreglass insulation, Inteliheat jackets minimise heat-loss whilst maintaining uniform heating. The self-limiting design ensures safe operation without overheating.

Standard and custom designs for use with various container sizes and profiled shapes makes the range suitable for diverse industrial needs.

Inteliheat™ jackets meet stringent international safety standards. They operate on standard AC supply voltages without transformers, and are simple to install.

For industries heating volatile substances or requiring precise thermal regulation, Inteliheat heating jackets paired with ProxATEX controllers offer the highest levels of reliability and safety.

LMK Thermosafe's advanced technology not only ensures safety but also optimizes energy use, reducing costs and environmental impact. These features have made Inteliheat a leading choice for any modern industrial projects seeking energy efficient and safety-compliant heating solutions.

Find out more at www.lmkthermosafe.co.uk and request a free consultation.

Chemstore UK, the hazardous materials expert, has partnered with a leading UK university to install a state-of-the-art external chemical storage unit, ensuring improved safety, compliance, and seamless integration within its new Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science building.

Innovative approach to chemical storage

Rather than following the university’s initial User Requirement Specification (URS), which outlined three separate fire-rated storage units, Chemstore proposed a more efficient alternative: a single, bespoke segregated unit. This solution maintained the required segregation while significantly reducing costs and enhancing the building’s aesthetics.

The fully bunded, pre-fabricated unit features a 1,000-litre containment capacity, safeguarding the environment while complying with strict ATEX-rated safety regulations. Equipped with advanced ventilation, fire detection, and gas/vapour alarms, the unit integrates seamlessly with the University’s Building Management System (BMS) and fire alarm network.

Designed for safety, efficiency, and accessibility

Prioritising safety, the unit incorporates 90-minute fire-rated construction, anti-static grounding, and lightning protection. Accessibility and efficiency were also key considerations, with adjustable shelving, pedestrian and trolley-friendly ramps, and a secure ATEX-rated access control system. Additionally, each room is equipped with an intrinsically safe refrigerator to maintain precise chemical storage temperatures without compromising safety. To ensure uninterrupted operation, the units are frost-protected and include power outlets, while a dedicated storage space keeps safety documentation readily accessible.

Thanks to Chemstore’s expertise, the University now benefits from a highly efficient, fully compliant chemical storage system that enhances safety for staff, students, and the environment.

Setting the standard for chemical storage in education

This project underscores Chemstore’s ability to provide cutting-edge, compliant, and customised chemical storage solutions for educational institutions. By integrating advanced safety features with smart system connectivity, Chemstore is helping universities create safer, more efficient research and learning environments.

Find out more at: www.chemstore.co.ukTel: 0208 704 1807 

The call to Hart Door Systems was straightforward – a company was having problems with two suppliers of industrial doors and a third party had recommended Hart Door Systems as the best option as the alternative deliverer of the industrial doors which would resolve the problem.

Carl Crossman, Hart’s Project Manager, said the call was very much the part of a typical week at the forefront of manufacture of industrial/commercial industrial doors. “Because of our long-standing reputation as a major supplier of a wide range of industrial doors and the range of options we have, Hart is well placed to problem solve and deliver the very high standard of industrial doors necessary”.

Mr Crossman confirmed an immediate site visit was carried out and an instant order for two Speedor Storms was placed. Both doors have now been installed and the performance of both will be monitored with a view to replacing other doors on the site. “The response was extremely positive. The Storms are a very high standard of automatic industrial door, an essential part of Hart’s family of Speedor options.”

Mr Crossman added: “Typically clients are attracted to the rapid roll Storm because of its robustness and exceptional wind resistance together with its energy-saving potential as well as controlling internal temperatures and reducing escaping noise and odours. It is an incomparable industrial door product in high demand because of its robustness and exceptional wind resistance together with its energy-saving potential and other very important features.”

More about Speedor Storm

This rapid roll door is robust, low maintenance and delivers exceptional wind resistance in exposed areas. While its high-speed opening and closing action improve efficiency, the energy-saving potential of this rapid roll door is high, controlling internal temperatures, escaping dirt, odours and noise.

Special features include; moisture-controlled electrics, mechanical components shielded from dust and dirt, and a unique guide system offering exceptional wind resistance up to class 5 as defined by DIN EN 12424. 

The high-performance exterior roller storm door is designed for frequent use in high traffic situations and constructed to withstand harsh environments.

www.hartdoors.com

FLIR, an industry leader in visible and thermal imaging sensors for security applications, will use ICS West 2025 to show visitors how they can benefit from adopting a multi-layered approach to their security challenges.

 With extensive experience across applications that include fence line/perimeter protection, parking lots, outdoor area protection, and entry/interior area protection, FLIR designs its solutions as building blocks that can integrate to form a robust multi-layered security solution.

ISC West 2025 is a comprehensive and converged security trade event taking place from March 31 to April 4 at the Venetian Expo convention center in Las Vegas, USA. On Stand 29075, FLIR will emphasize that today’s security response has to be precise, quick, flexible, and robust in the face of threats that are more intelligent and complex than ever before. Ensuring the safety and protection of people and the security of buildings is becoming ever more challenging, rendering traditional security models insufficient.

The way forward lies in developing advanced situational awareness capabilities, namely a security framework that not only reacts to threats but also supports active prevention. Detecting threats in real time, responding with precision, and continuously adapting to emerging risks is crucial for upholding safety and security.

At ICS West 2025, FLIR will demonstrate how, using the latest multi-layered security solutions, turns this idea from concept into reality, creating several barriers for potential intruders. A combination of technologies strengthens each stage of the security journey from initial detection to identification and tracking, stopping threats before they cause harm.

By combining thermal, visible, and ground-based radar imaging with FLIR’s pioneering Virtual Barrier video analytics, multi-layered solutions provide the strategic building blocks to detect, identify, track, and act over a long range and in any weather conditions.

Central to any multi-layered solution is thermal imaging technology. FLIR cameras integrate with third-party video management systems (VMS), adhere to strict cybersecurity protocols, and comply with the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). At ICS West, the FLIR stand will host a number of key camera innovations, including the FC-AI-R rugged thermal radiometric camera.

The FLIR FC-Series AI-R integrates deep neural network and motion analytics. With a thermal sensitivity of <35 mK NETD, this advanced radiometric camera offers enhanced situational awareness and clear image quality for perimeter security and physical asset safety.

Also in the spotlight will be the FLIR Quasar PTZ AI PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) infrared thermal camera. Featuring edge AI video analytics to detect and accurately classify humans and vehicles, applications include commercial and critical infrastructure sites, remote facilities, or any large area requiring close monitoring.

Elsewhere on the FLIR stand will be the FH-R-PTZ, a multi-spectral pan-tilt-zoom radiometric camera. Upon detecting a hot spot or surface temperature change, the contactless temperature measurement is sent to the operator through a connected VMS for instantaneous assessment and deployment of response tactics.

Visitors to ICS West 2025 seeking a technical discussion about multi-layered security or any other solutions can tap into the expertise of FLIR professionals, with representatives from both engineering and sales available on the stand. A Spanish speaking representative will also be present.

www.flir.com