News

• Global Energy Storage Group (GES) has completed the sale of its Rotterdam terminal, held through GES Netherlands B.V., to Tepsa.

• The transaction marks GES’s strategic exit from the Dutch market as the company sharpens its focus on growth in Asia, particularly its flagship terminal in Port Klang, Malaysia.

 Global Energy Storage Group (GES) today announced the completion of the sale of its terminal located in the Port of Rotterdam. The facility, which includes 212,000 m³ of tank storage and approximately 18 hectares of development land in the Europoort area, was sold to Tepsa, a European bulk liquid and gas storage operator.

The transaction represents a key milestone for GES as it continues to focus its resources on expanding its presence in the fast-growing Asian market, with particular emphasis on its strategic terminal at Port Klang, Malaysia. It also ensures that the Rotterdam terminal is passed into the hands of a high-quality follow-on owner well positioned to take the asset forward. The transaction also delivers a strong return for GES’s shareholders.

Peter Vucins, CEO of GES, commented, “Part of the investment cycle is realising value from assets at the right time, and we’re confident this was the right moment for GES. We are now fully focused on growing our business in Asia, with Port Klang at the centre of that strategy. We extend our sincere thanks to the Rotterdam team and our customers for their support and for maintaining a safe, reliable, and forward-looking operation throughout our ownership.”

With the sale of the Rotterdam terminal, GES no longer holds assets in the Netherlands. The company’s growth strategy remains firmly anchored in Asia, where demand for bulk liquid storage, including chemicals, biofuels, and new energy products, continues to rise.

GES is backed by investors Bluewater and White Deer, who have been instrumental in supporting the company’s development and long-term vision.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has been selected by Utility Global to provide the control and automation platform for its proprietary H2Gen^® systems featuring Utility’s patented zero-electricity hydrogen production technology. 

Utility is transforming industrial hydrogen production with systems designed for modular construction, customized performance, and seamless integration into existing assets and infrastructure. Featuring a breakthrough technology for hydrogen production from water without electricity that operates autonomously, H2Gen systems deliver clean, reliable hydrogen tailored to the steel, mobility, chemical, refining and oil and gas industries. These systems significantly reduce carbon emissions and lower operational and capital costs. This innovation makes the energy transition economically viable for industrial operators worldwide. 

“Rockwell’s automation technology accelerates our ability to execute commercial deployments,” said Parker Meeks, President and CEO of Utility. “Their proven industrial expertise strengthens our mission to deliver economic clean hydrogen to the hard-to-abate sectors.” 

To support this objective, Utility selected Rockwell’s PlantPAx^® Distributed Control System along with a suite of software and network hardware including

 FactoryTalk^® View, FactoryTalk^® AssetCentre, FactoryTalk^® Historian and Logix Process Controllers. This suite was selected for its ability to scale from small to large commercial deployments without requiring a shift in control architecture – laying the groundwork for flexible project execution plans.  

“We’re excited to work with Utility Global to support their innovative approach to sustainable hydrogen production,” said Michael Sweet, director, New Energy, Rockwell Automation. “Our integrated control and information platform helps bring new energy technologies to life with the security, reliability and flexibility needed for industrial applications. Rockwell’s integrated solutions are enabling near-term decarbonization by accelerating the deployment of scalable, low-carbon energy solutions like Utility’s H2Gen systems.” 

Click here for more information about Rockwell and its role in enabling cleaner, smarter operations across industries. Industrial Sustainability Solutions | Rockwell Automation | US 

A strong signal for the future of CO2-free heavy haulage: KEYOU has announced GRIMMENER SPEZITRANS, a TALKE Group company, as one of the first customers for its 40-ton truck. The semitrailer, based on the Daimler Actros, was unveiled at last year's IAA Transportation in Hanover, Germany, followed by the official sales launch at the end of 2024. SPEZITRANS will take delivery of two 40-ton trucks - both equipped with hydrogen engines and the well-known KEYOU-inside technology - and integrate them into its fleet starting in 2026. The Grimmen-based chemical and gas logistics company will use the trucks in northern Germany.

Convincing technology and a smooth transition to the new drive system from KEYOU

In the end, KEYOU won SPEZITRANS over with its many diesel-like features and its "H2 Mobility as a Service" model. This means that the company has virtually no compromise in terms of payload, range and refueling times, and can count on a smooth, predictable and risk-free transition to the new technology thanks to KEYOU's all-inclusive mobility solution. In addition, the special requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials play a decisive role: KEYOU's 40-ton truck is approved for ADR dangerous goods type FL (AT) and is therefore also suitable for special transports. "The decision to invest in hydrogen trucks is more than just a technological leap for us - it is a clear commitment to sustainable transportation and future-proof entrepreneurship," explains Daniel Gutmann, Managing Director of SPEZITRANS. "Together with KEYOU, we are sending a strong signal: We don't just want to ride along when things move - we want to lead the way."

Teaming up for sustainable road transportation with pioneering spirit and determination

By opting for hydrogen and the hydrogen engine, SPEZITRANS is not only setting an innovative example, but is also giving the TALKE Group a decisive boost. The experience gained from the project will be applied to other locations and applications in the future - as part of an integrated, forward-looking mobility concept. "We are delighted to have convinced such an innovative and forward-looking company as SPEZITRANS and the TALKE Group of KEYOU and our technology, and to welcome them as one of the first customers for our new 40-ton truck," concludes Pedro Bravo, Chief Sales Officer at KEYOU. "It takes companies with exactly this 'moving forward' mentality and pioneering spirit to drive and actively shape the mobility revolution in heavy-duty transportation."

www.keyou.de

TALKE Group: Climate targets in focus

The initiative in Grimmen is a further step in the TALKE Group's strategic sustainability agenda. As a leading international logistics partner for the chemical industry, TALKE aims to consistently improve its own carbon footprint. The company is focusing on a wide range of alternative drive concepts - from battery-powered electric vehicles to HVO100 and hydrogen solutions. "With our investments, we are actively shaping change - courageously, with foresight and responsibility. For us, sustainability does not end with good intentions," says Christoph Grunert, Managing Director of the TALKE Group. "We systematically invest in research, pilot projects and partnerships to actively shape the future of transportation. For us, alternative drive systems are not a side issue, but an integral part of our responsibility.

EcoNavis Solutions has begun production of its patented Eco Boss Cap propeller hub, marking the transformation of a university-led research project into an industry-ready fuel efficiency retrofit technology.

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has warned that a recent recall of safety shoes sold via TikTok highlights the alarmingly wide availability of substandard personal protective equipment (PPE) in the UK market.

The recalled product, listed on TikTok Shop under multiple descriptors including “Men’s Anti-smash and Anti-puncture Shoes, Breathable Non-slip Work Shoes, Comfortable Safety Shoes for Men, Fashionable Shoes for Daily Wear, Boy,” was advertised as offering protection despite failing to meet essential safety requirements.

The recall was issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) following the intervention of Lewis Collantine, a product safety consultant specialising in trading standards who brought the issue to light. 

According to the OPSS the product, “presents a serious risk of injuries because although advertised as 'anti-smash' and 'anti-puncture,' there is no evidence it has undergone conformity assessment as PPE and it is not CE or UKCA marked.”

The OPSS also states: “The product does not meet the requirements of the Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment or the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018.”

While the shoes have now been removed from TikTok following enforcement action by the OPSS, at the time of writing, similar – if not identical –footwear remained for sale onplatforms such as Temu.

Commenting on the recall, Alan Murray, BSIF Chief Executive Officer, said: "No surprises here. The BSIF has been aware of a burgeoning volume of substandard footwear available on platforms such as TikTok for some time, but we are pleased to see Trading Standards take action and we must applaud the work of Lewis Collantine, who has been instrumental in bringing this example to light. 

“This is exactly why the new Product Safety and Metrology Bill needs to ensure there are real ramifications for online suppliers who fail to provide properly certified products. Employers and users deserve confidence that PPE described as protective genuinely meets standards and offers the protection it claims.”

The BSIF warns that many of these products are purchased by unsuspecting individuals who have been given budgets to buy their own PPE but may not fully understand the rules, regulations, and certification requirements surrounding safety products.

Alan Murray continued: “We suspect that many of these products are being bought directly by workers – including limb (b) workers who are not direct employees but for whom employers still have a legal duty to provide PPE under recent updates to the PPE Regulations. These individuals are often given a budget to buy their own PPE but may not fully understand the regulations or certification requirements surrounding safety products. The reality is that substandard PPE advertised as protective simply does not protect workers, and it can put lives at risk.”

Roy Wilders, BSIF Registered Safety Supplier Scheme Manager, added: “Year in, year out, the BSIF’s market surveillance shows there is an alarming volume of substandard PPE available to buy and in use in the UK. Our latest statistics show a shocking 90% failure rate for products we bought and tested from non-registered suppliers. This is in stark contrast to products from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, where almost 90% of products passed all the test criteria – and in the very few instances where discrepancies arose, they were immediately addressed and rectified.”

The BSIF reiterates the importance of buying PPE only from BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, who are committed to supplying certified and compliant products that keep workers safe.

For more information on BSIF’s Registered Safety Supplier Scheme and verified PPE suppliers, visit:

www.registeredsafetysupplierscheme.co.uk

The Process Safety Management Summit 2025 – hosted by Cogent Skills on behalf of the Process Safety Management Competence Programme Board (PSMCPB) – is an opportunity for leaders across high-hazard industries to explore the latest developments in process safety from both employer and regulatory perspectives.

The event will feature a range of industry speakers and regulatory perspectives, including an update on the success of the process safety management program from Richard Roff (Group Process Safety Director at Costain Group PLC and Chair of PSMCPB) and the regulatory focus on Climate Adaptation from Mike Nicholas (Senior Advisor on Climate Change Adaption and COMAH at the Environment Agency).

Other speakers include Malcolm Sarstedt (Specialist Process Safety Consultant representing Encirc), Gus Carroll (CEO & Founder Empirisys and Chair of COMAH Strategic Forum), Peter Davidson (CEO at Tank Storage Association), Justine Fosh (CEO, Cogent Skills) and Jude Knight (Head of Low Carbon Skills, Cogent Skills) will also take part.

Attendees can look forward to real-world lessons from leading organisations in process safety, transitioning industries and climate adaptation.

There will also be a special focus on challenges and innovations in Process Safety Management within the clean energy sector, the launch of new process safety qualifications for a future-ready workforce and opportunities to hear from industry thought leaders, regulators, and experts. We will be sharing cutting-edge insights and real-world best practice that you can apply immediately within your organisation.

Chair of the PSMCPB, Richard Roff, said: “Although process safety management focusses on preventing serious events, it can be easy for leaders to move on to apparently more urgent matters. Such incidents are relatively rare in each region or organisation, but serious incidents continue to occur in industry worldwide

“Thoughtful organisations use approaches that reduce risks, but these rely on competent people at all levels from shop floor to C-suite. We hope this summit will give an opportunity to reflect on where your organisation finds itself with respect to PSM competence given the changing world around us, and what you might consider to maintain the right level of control of major accident hazards.”

Justine Fosh, CEO of Cogent Skills, said: “We’re pleased to be hosting this event and I’m really looking forward to welcoming leaders from across high-hazard industries.”

“This will be a really important opportunity to discuss the latest developments affecting our sector and looking ahead to the skills needs employers will be tackling in the years to come.”

The Process Safety Management Summit will take place on July 22 at the Radisson Hotel in York. For more information, click here.

Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore UK, explores the key risks associated with lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and shares the latest best practice for their safe storage and management.

The rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) across consumer markets, motorsports, and commercial fleets, is transforming the global automotive landscape. At the core of this transition lies lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, offering impressive energy density and performance. But with this innovation comes a serious and growing challenge: safety.

Though Li-ion batteries are powerful, they are also inherently volatile. Under certain conditions, including mechanical damage, overcharging, exposure to heat, or improper storage, these batteries can enter a state known as thermal runaway, which can lead to fires, explosions, and toxic gas release.

As well as presenting a technical problem for engineers, this risk spans vehicle design, manufacturing, transport, storage, service, and disposal. Whether you’re a manufacturer, motorsport team, logistics operator, or facility manager, it’s essential to understand the risks and be prepared. 

EV battery risk is a wide-scale issue

The risks tied to EV batteries extend far beyond the road or racetrack. Every phase of the electric vehicle lifecycle introduces potential hazards:

•   Battery manufacturing and testing: Battery production and quality control processes involve high-energy materials and volatile chemistries. 

•   Prototype testing: Thermal runaway incidents can occur during prototype assembly or shakedown testing highlighting the need for robust safety protocols in early development stages.

•   Onsite storage: As production scales up, the increased volume of batteries stored onsite raises the risk of incidents, making proper storage conditions and effective fire and gas detection systems essential.

•   Handling & storage: Improper handling of battery packs, whether during installation, removal, or warehouse storage, can lead to physical damage, short circuits, or undetected internal faults that later cause fires.

•   Transportation & logistics: How are EVs moved from factory to showroom? What happens in the event of an accident?

•   Parking & storage: Public and private facilities, including car parks and dealerships, may be underprepared. Some are already banning EVs entirely due to fire concerns.

•   Servicing & repair: Removed or damaged batteries represent a significantly higher fire risk.

•   Post-collision management: Even after an accident, a battery can ignite hours or days later if not properly handled.

Why the risks are increasing

High energy density = high potential for harm

Li-ion batteries store massive amounts of energy in compact spaces. In the wrong conditions, they can behave unpredictably, and a single failure can trigger a cascade of destruction in minutes.

Motorsports: The innovation frontier

Motorsport teams push the boundaries of performance. But extreme temperatures, vibrations, and charging/discharging cycles also amplify the likelihood of failure, turning the racetrack into a high-stakes testing ground for EV battery safety.

Mass adoption means mass exposure

As EVs scale globally, so too do the associated risks. One overlooked safety flaw can affect thousands of vehicles, turning isolated issues into large-scale safety liabilities. Public trust in EVs is hard-won, and easily lost.

Real-world incidents prove the point

In the United Kingdom, lithium-ion battery fires are escalating at a concerning rate. 

According to data from QBE Insurance, UK fire services responded to 1,330 lithium-ion battery fires in 2024, marking a 93% increase from 690 incidents in 2022. This surge spans various applications, including electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, and e-scooters.

The safety expectations are clear, and getting stricter

Insurers, regulators, battery manufacturers and safety-conscious organisations now expect robust, proactive protocols. These include:

•   Outdoor (ideally), fire-rated (not just fire-resistant) temperature-controlled battery storage units 

•   Rapid-response containment tools like fire blankets and extinguishing agents

•   Temperature monitoring, gas detection, and thermal cameras

•   Strict handling and storage of damaged or removed batteries – best practices dictate damaged batteries should not remain onsite for more than 30 days and must be stored in insulated, fire-rated containers, not just fire-resistant ones

Getting ahead of the problem

Overstating the safety risks of EVs could undermine climate progress but that doesn’t mean we should downplay the risks. We must: 

•    Ensure everyone involved with EVs understands the risks

•    Design safety systems that assume failures will occur, not that they won't.

•    Shift from a reactive to a resilient safety culture

Conclusion: Innovation without safety is irresponsible

The shift to electric vehicles is essential, exciting and irreversible. But with new technology comes new responsibility. EV battery safety is foundational, not optional. Those who lead on safety will lead the industry.

Chemstore is proud to support world-leading vehicle manufacturers, and infrastructure providers with best-in-class, award-winning lithium-ion battery safety solutions. The leaders are already acting. Are you?

Get in touch to find out how Chemstore can help you mitigate risk, reduce liability, and futureproof your operations. For more information, visit www.chemstore.co.uk

 The Fluid and Climate Controls Europe (FCCE) Division of Parker Hannifin, the global leader in motion and control technologies, announces that its 37 mm Ex d m coils have attained new ATEX and IECEx Type Examination Certificates according to the latest explosion protection (Ex) standards (Table 1).

In addition to these global certifications, Parker has updated Ex approvals in Korea (KC) and China (CCC), while also securing a new certification for Japan (JPEx) for selected models. These advancements enable industries worldwide to benefit from a safer, globally compliant solution for explosion-proof solenoid valve applications.

Table 1. Latest ATEX and IECEx Certification Standards for Parker’s 37mm Ex d m Coils.

The upgraded 37 mm Ex dm coils are ideally suited for power generation, oil and gas, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and chemical production. Designed to control solenoid valves in Zone 1/21 hazardous areas, these coils ensure compliance with Ex dm requirements, preventing the risk of explosion in areas where flammable gases, vapors, or dust are present.

Equipped with a 360-degree rotatable, fiberglass-reinforced plastic housing, a feature unique to Parker, these coils allow for flexible installation, particularly in confined spaces. The coil and protection devices are fully encapsulated in epoxy resin, ensuring shock resistance and corrosion protection. These coils are compatible with all Parker ATEX solenoid valves within the specified Coil Group.

A key advantage of these coils is their modular design, which allows different coil options to be mounted on the same valve while enabling multiple valve types to share a single coil design. This unique feature reduces inventory complexity, optimizes total cost of ownership, and improves overall operational efficiency.

“The latest upgrade reflects our commitment to staying ahead of evolving safety standards while delivering the highest quality products to our customers," said Fabio Colombo, Product Manager at Parker. “Manufactured in Italy, these coils provide a flexible and globally certified solution, ensuring reliability and compliance even in the most demanding applications.”

For further information about Parker’s 37 mm Ex dm coils, please visit: https://ph.parker.com/gb/en/product-list/iecex-atex-electrical-parts-for-fluid-control-solenoid-valves

Edinburgh’s Zelim has won this year’s British Safety Council (BSC) Health and Safety Transformation Award for its AI-driven automatic man overboard (MOB) detection system, ZOE.

ZOE was chosen from a shortlist of ten organisations worldwide, including energy companies Saudi Aramco and Pertamina, and safety body the Universities Safety and Health Association (USHA), highlighting its global relevance and transformational impact across the maritime, offshore, and defence sectors.

Developed with input from the US Coast Guard, ZOE uses machine learning and a proprietary dataset of over 7 million maritime images to automatically detect and track persons in the water, even in extreme conditions.

It boasts a 96.8% detection probability from 300 metres and eliminates the need for manual visual confirmation or wearables. Essentially, it distinguishes humans from small craft, seabirds and other objects in the water.

“ZOE addresses the most critical gap in maritime safety and security response,” said Sam Mayall, CEO of Zelim. “Knowing exactly when and where someone has gone overboard. This prestigious award validates the operational importance of what we’ve built.”

ZOE integrates with existing sensor and camera systems to deliver a continuous lookout, day and night. When an incident is detected, it triggers alerts, geo-tags the incident, logs video footage, and provides crews with a scripted mayday response and recovery checklist.

Already deployed on North Sea jack-up rigs and a UK-operated cruise vessel and soon to be deployed on a Navy frigate, ZOE is currently undergoing trials with asset operators, maritime agencies, port authorities and defence agencies globally, not only to reduce MOB fatalities, but also to prevent navigational accidents and security breaches.

Since its foundation in 1957, the British Safety Council campaigns to protect workers from accidents, hazards and unsafe conditions, playing a decisive role in the political process that has led to the adoption of landmark safety legislation in the UK.

Sponsored by Croner-i, the BSC’s Health and Safety Transformation Award recognises organisations each year that have significantly changed or transformed any aspect of health, safety, or wellbeing through the innovative use of information.

The ZOE system also holds Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register for ISO 21195, the man overboard detection standard, and will soon complete testing to become the worlds first fully type approved man overboard detection system.

For more information, visit www.zelim.com