Newsletter_12-2024_EN

EN 12/24

Energy-optimized

cleanroom

planning

TITLE

The production process at the focus

Energy-optimized

cleanroom

planning

ZETA is valued for its holistic view of production systems

and their infrastructure. The Sustainable Energy Solutions

business line is dedicated to supporting customers in achieving

their decarbonization and sustainability goals. Cleanroom

technology is a particularly promising starting point

when it comes to energy optimization. ZETA has developed

an innovative method for planning cleanrooms in a processbased

and energy-optimized way, and one thing is clear: simulations

play a central role in this pioneering approach.

ZETA is committed to making a positive contribution to protecting

the climate and actively supports customers in achieving their decarbonization

goals. With the Sustainable Energy Solutions business

line, the company is proactively continuing on its path towards

a sustainable future. As an end-to-end solution provider for the

pharmaceutical and biotech industry, ZETA leads both greenfield

and brownfield projects to success. For newly planned production

facilities, cleverly chosen strategies reduce the ecological footprint

right from the start and bring significant financial savings in the long

term. Existing buildings and facilities also offer enormous potential

for energy optimization and decarbonization.

In any case, the development of strategies to decarbonize production

sites and the planning and implementation of energy optimization

measures require a structured approach and a holistic view,

as emphasized by Associate Director of the business line, Hans Eder.

Why is this holistic view so important? Pharmaceutical production

facilities are embedded in a cleanroom environment with

a diverse infrastructure. The buildings are also part of the complex

system. Therefore, process technology, building technology and

architecture form a whole and interact with the local environment

and its conditions, for example regarding the generation of energy

as well as local and district heating supplies. Each of these areas offers

numerous starting points for targeted measures to improve the

energy efficiency and decarbonization of a company location. Hans

Eder: „In order to develop overarching, comprehensive sustainability

concepts and put them into practice, a comprehensive, overarching

understanding of the interrelationships is necessary.“ The Associate

Director believes “that is the most important key to success“.

Load-based engineering: made possible

by production simulations

Production simulations offer enormous added value for optimization.

Understanding of complex systems is much better, and different

scenarios can be explored in a virtual environment. This allows

for fact-based decisions to be made and reduces risks. By using the

software INOSIM Insight, ZETA integrates production simulations

into the engineering process. By means of simulations, the requirements

of the process and possible bottlenecks can be examined in

detail. The engineering can then be adapted accordingly (load-based

engineering).

Energy optimization in cleanroom technology

When it comes to finding strategies for energy optimization, cleanrooms

are a particularly promising starting point. After all, cleanroom

technology accounts for a large proportion of the energy used

in pharmaceutical plants – ZETA’s sustainability experts put the figure

at 50 to 70%.

Experience has shown that in the vast majority of cases, ven-

www.reinraum.de | www.cleanroom-online.com NEWSLETTER | Edition EN 12-2024

page 2/37

tilation systems for cleanrooms are oversized.

This leads to unnecessarily high air

exchange rates that do not match the actual

requirements for contamination control.

The result is excessive energy consumption,

combined with increased CO2 emissions

and unnecessarily high costs. ZETA proposes

a far more sustainable, load-based

approach, where HVAC systems are designed

and controlled according to the actual

requirements of the production process.

This is fully in line with the contamination

control strategy (CCS) applied in the GMPcompliant

process according to the GMP

EU Directive (Annex 1).

So how can oversizing of the ventilation

system, for example, be avoided and energy

requirements optimized? In response to

this question, ZETA has developed an innovative

methodology that is primarily aimed

at the pharmaceutical production process

and its real-life requirements. Simulation

processes play a key role in this forwardlooking

approach – after process simulations

with the software INOSIM Insight, fluid

mechanics comes into play. But let us look at

the individual steps separately:

Process-based cleanroom planning

– how does it work?

The newly developed methodology for energyoptimized

cleanroom planning can be

divided into two successive phases. The first

phase consists of a thorough analysis of the

production process using INOSIM simulation

software. Relevant factors such as room

occupancy, heat loads and critical processes

such as filter changes or sampling are included

in the analysis. The simulations ultimately

allow for an exact definition of the requirements

that are posed on the cleanroom

during the process steps. Building on the

results of this analysis, a requirements profile

(User Requirement Specification, URS)

is developed, which is based on facts rather

than the usual „rules of thumb“.

Now the second phase can begin: the

actual cleanroom and ventilation planning.

Supported by computational fluid dynamics

(CFD) simulations, the design of the ventilation

system – i.e. the number and positioning

of the swirl diffusers – is optimized, and

the airflow is adapted to the requirements of

the process.

The reduction in airflow that can be

achieved results in energy savings of up to

60%, a reduction in the carbon footprint of

up to 65% as well as significant savings in

investment and operating costs!

December 2024

Dear cleanroom professionals,

Christmas is coming

and the pressure is weighing heavily

on energy-intensive

industry.

And if there‘s not enough electricity, we‘ll just

use real candles again.

These were my thoughts on the 1st Advent.

I wish you a successful and happy pre-Christmas

period. Don‘t let yourself be put under too much

pressure, whether at work or at home. We are

currently preparing to print the YEARBOOK.

This is expected to be send to you in February.

And now you will receive the newsletter with a

large selection of interesting articles:

> Energy-optimized cleanroom planning

> Improved materials for microchip

interconnections

> Fraunhofer IMS sets standards in energy

Management

> Fraunhofer ISE Inaugurates New Research

Center for Batteries

> Additive Manufacturing in the throes of

technological Change

> Selecting the Right Garment Protection

> . . .

With kind regards

Reinhold Schuster

ZETA GmbH

A 8501 Lieboch/Graz


page 3/37

Fraunhofer IPMS and BASF celebrate ten years of collaboration

Improved materials for

microchip interconnections

More power, more energy-efficiency, more complexity -

manufacturers of modern microchips are constantly facing

new challenges, also regarding the electrical connections

required. Fraunhofer IPMS and BASF have been working

together on this problem for ten years. The teams have pooled

their infrastructure and expertise and thus have made it

possible to evaluate chemicals, processes and product tests

for chip integration on an industrial scale.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS and

BASF are proud to look back on ten successful years of cooperation.

Together, they have been working on innovative and customized

solutions in the field of semiconductor production and chip integration

as part of their “BASF Plating-Lab”. Within pilot tests at the

Center Nanoelectronic Technologies (CNT) of Fraunhofer IPMS,

strategies are developed and implemented to make materials and

technologies in semiconductor integration more efficient and costeffective.

“With our cooperation, we are addressing the growing

challenges in the market and thus enable new technologies in the

field of interconnect and packaging”, explains Dr. Lothar Laupichler,

Senior Vice President, Electronic Materials at BASF.

BASF, new chemicals for electroplating deposition processes have

been evaluated in recent years.

At the same time, corresponding product tests and demonstration

trials have been carried out for customers at wafer level.

BASF installed a state-of-the-art process tool in the clean room at

Fraunhofer IPMS, which is operated by Fraunhofer’s experienced

scientists. The cooperation partners are thus using the same tools

that are applied in the industry processes. This enables customers

to significantly reduce their qualification costs. As a result, development

time and costs can be saved, and more efficient processes can

be established. The innovative solutions can therefore be developed

and evaluated directly under production conditions.

Process evaluation according to industry standard

Numerous electro-chemical processes are necessary during the manufacturing

and integration of a microchip. Various layers of metal or

metal alloys must be applied to the wafer to connect the individual

circuits and create the network of conductor paths within a chip. For

different steps in the overall integration and different subsequent

applications, the chemicals and work steps must be adapted to individual

processes of the customers. As part of the collaboration with

The cooperation partners of Fraunhofer IPMS and BASF in front of the

process tool “LAM Sabre Extreme”. © Fraunhofer IPMS

Participants of the ten-year collaboration celebration. © Fraunhofer IPMS

300-mm-clean room of Fraunhofer IPMS. © Fraunhofer IPMS


page 4/37

Direct application possibilities for industry partners

Over the past ten years, the project partners have achieved over

12,000 process launches. “The chemical packages and products

developed can be used directly in our customers’ industrial processes,”

says Dr. Benjamin Lilienthal-Uhlig, Head of Business Unit Next

Generation Computing at Fraunhofer IPMS. For example, they are

used to manufacture wiring structures in miniaturized circuits with

dual damascene technology. The products are also important in the

manufacturing of interposers, chiplets and 3D packages for rewiring

structures (pillar, RDL, TSV) or they might form the metal layers in

wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding.

In June 2014, the research institute and the chemical company

established the collaboration as part of the screening fab opened at

CNT. Fraunhofer IPMS provides its 300 mm cleanroom infrastructure

to BASF for this purpose. Customers and partners also benefit

from the Silicon Saxony network, in which the institute is located. It

enables the involvement of other local facilities, such as the Dresden

branch of Fraunhofer Institute IZM-ASSID, or direct process

developments specifically for the global industrial partners of Fraunhofer

IPMS (Bosch, Infineon, GlobalFoundries). The newly founded

research center CEASAX (“Center for Advanced CMOS and Heterointegration

Saxony”) will make it possible to work even closer on

application-oriented solutions, especially with regards to the heterointegration

of microsystems.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Photonische Mikrosysteme IPMS

D 01109 Dresden

Certification according to ISO 50001:2018 successfully completed

Fraunhofer IMS sets standards

in energy management

With this certification, the IMS is committed to systematically increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption

- an important step towards sustainable resource utilisation and climate protection. The ISO 50001:2018 standard

defines a structured framework for energy management that enables organisations to continuously monitor and optimise

their energy consumption.

Due to its industry-related semiconductor

research, the IMS is one of the larger energy

consumers within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

This step is therefore of particular

importance. By introducing an energy management

system (EnMS), the IMS is taking

on a pioneering role and making a significant

contribution to the implementation of

the Fraunhofer climate strategy, which aims

to significantly reduce the company‘s carbon

footprint by 2030.

Sustainable measures

to reduce CO₂ emissions

Cleanroom areas are among the most energy-intensive areas of the institute. © IMS

As part of the energy management system,

the IMS has introduced various measures

to increase energy efficiency. These include

modernising the clean room with new ventilation

technology, which saves 740 MWh

of electricity and 360 MWh through heat recovery

every year - this corresponds to a reduction

of 65 tonnes of CO₂. Another measure

is the renewal of the compressed air

generation system, which saves 350 MWh

of electricity and 290 MWh of district heating

per year, reducing CO₂ emissions by 33

tonnes. With these steps, the IMS is making

an important contribution to conserving resources

and actively supporting the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft‘s

climate targets.

‘The successful ISO 50001:2018 certification

is a milestone on our path to greater sustainability,’

says Prof Dr Anton Grabmaier, Director

of Fraunhofer IMS. ‘It confirms our

efforts to combine technological innovation

and environmentally conscious behaviour

by paying particular attention to the

energy consumption of cleanrooms. We are

thus taking on a key role in the Fraunhofer-

Gesellschaft.’

However, this is just the beginning: the institute

plans to introduce further measures to

increase energy efficiency and expand the

use of renewable energies.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Mikrolektronische

Schaltungen und Systeme IMS

D 47057 Duisburg


page 5/37

Fraunhofer ENAS is partner in the new European project “HaloFreeEtch”

researching innovative halogen-free etching processes

More sustainability in

semiconductor manufacturing

Fraunhofer ENAS is part of the new project “HaloFreeEtch” (“Novel approaches for halogen-free and sustainable etching of

silicon and glass”) that started in September 2024. This groundbreaking project, coordinated by the University of Technology

Chemnitz, will run for 48 months with a total funding of € 3.997.735 provided by the European Union. Together with six

international partners, Fraunhofer ENAS will raise the production of future semiconductors to the next level using innovative

and smart etching processes.

The project “HaloFreeEtch” aims to revolutionize the semiconductor

manufacturing industry by developing new, sustainable, halogen-free

etching processes for silicon and silicon oxide. Traditional

industrial plasma etching processes rely on halogens, which pose

significant environmental and health risks. By replacing these with

more sustainable alternatives, the project seeks to reduce the carbon

footprint and improve the overall sustainability of semiconductor

manufacturing.

With the semiconductor industry at the heart of technological

innovation, developing sustainable manufacturing processes is crucial

for the environment and the industry‘s future. The “HaloFree-

Etch” project intends to position Europe at the forefront of this green

transition, contributing to the global effort to reduce environmental

impacts and promote sustainable practices.

Fraunhofer ENAS is taking a key role within “HaloFreeEtch”

and will support the Center for Micro- and Nanotechnologies (ZfM)

of University of Technology Chemnitz as project leader in a strong

process engineering cooperation with its proven expertise in the development

and optimization of etching processes, enabling the precise

structuring of a wide variety of materials. The institute will focus

in particular on developing novel methods that are not only environmentally

friendly but also meet the performance requirements of

modern semiconductor manufacturing. The use of hydrogen and innovative

catalysts will enable the replacement of conventional halogen-based

processes that pose significant environmental and health

risks. Fraunhofer ENAS is thus making a valuable contribution to

significantly reducing the sector’s ecological footprint.

“Our research will help redefine semiconductor technology in

Europe and lead the industry into a more sustainable future,” says

Dr. Karla Hiller, project leader at Fraunhofer ENAS. “We are proud to

be part of this groundbreaking project and look forward to advancing

the development of halogen-free etching processes.”

About the project “HaloFreeEtch”

The project will be conducted over a period of 48 months and involves

several leading European research and industry partners. The

results are expected to not only revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing

but also enable applications in areas such as microsensors

and photonics.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Elektronische

Nanosysteme ENAS

D 09126 Chemnitz

© Ines Escherich / Fraunhofer ENAS


page 6/37

Chipdesign House at KIT Founded at KIT

– Institution to Accelerate Cutting-edge

Chip Design Research in Baden-Württemberg

In the laboratory for battery tests, destructive

tests can also be carried out. Mayor Martin Horn

(right) looks at the abuse press together with

Institute Director Hans-Martin Henning (left).

© Fraunhofer ISE / photo: Simon Leisner

KIT Chipdesign House to Boost

European Chip Production

Be it smartphones, computers, or cars: Nearly all modern

technologies are based on powerful microchips. Demand by

far exceeds production in Germany. Leading semiconductor

manufacturers are mostly based in Asia and North America,

from where they supply producers worldwide with their

microchips. In order to boost chip production in Europe

and further strengthen Germany as a location for innovative

chip design, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science,

Research, and the Arts (MWK) has now approved the foundation

of the virtual Karlsruhe Chipdesign House (KCH) at

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). It is to be established

by 2027 on KIT’s Campus South. A new Master’s degree

program is also planned.

“The demand for powerful and efficient microchips to support digital

transformation is growing steadily,” explains Professor Mehdi B.

Tahoori from the Institute of Computer Engineering at KIT. “Most

sales are generated by chip giants outside Europe. Particularly during

the energy crisis, when we had to cut down our production due

to the high energy costs, our strong dependence on imports became

obvious, for example, as regards silicon chips produced in Asia.”

“There is an urgent need to promote production and the possibilities

for its advancement in Europe to reduce critical global dependencies

and secure the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe,”

says Professor Oliver Kraft, Acting President of KIT. “KCH will

bundle cutting-edge research in the field of chip design. KIT has the

required expertise, so it is the right location for this undertaking.”

New Study Program for Future Specialists

With the planned KIT Chipdesign House, KIT intends to play a

leading role in the coordination of chip design activities in Baden-

Württemberg and beyond. Comprehensive training for chip designers

will play a key role. “Jointly with our partners, we want to create

an interdisciplinary Master’s degree program in chip design,” says

Professor Jürgen Becker from the Institute for Information Processing

Technology at KIT. “In addition to practice-oriented lectures, it

will include workshops and events with experts from the industry to

ensure that the future specialists and managers receive comprehensive

training.”

Strengthening the Chip Design Ecosystem in Germany

To strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem in the EU, the regulation

on the European Chips Act from 2023 was adopted. It includes a

package of measures. “The European Chips Act is aimed at boosting

semiconductor production and development opportunities in Europe,”

explains Becker. “Within the framework of this Chips Act, we

want to bundle and extend skills and networks in a targeted manner.

The close integration with the industry, for example with a targeted

extension of interdisciplinary training and continued education in

chip design at KIT, is an important building block here.”

The MWK is funding the KIT Chipdesign House with around

EUR 1 million until 2027 as part of the BEGIN funding initiative,

which promotes participation in major European projects and initiatives.

Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”,

KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment.

It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global

challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For

this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines

in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the

humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for

responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based

study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge

between important scientific findings and their application for the

benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our

natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

D 76131 Karlsruhe


page 7/37

Lab-to-Fab-Development on 200- and 300-mm-Level

Research for the future,

application transfer for the present

Advancements in industry and technology are constantly demanding new solutions for the manufacturing of microchips regarding

the technical, economic and also ecological perspective. The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS

has established itself as a strong partner to industry with its pioneering research and state-of-the-art equipment. The range

of services includes all steps “from lab to fab” - from consulting and process development to pilot production.

While systems and components have to

meet ever higher performance requirements,

it is also essential that they are compatible

with further industrial processes in the semiconductor

industry and comply with the

latest technology standards. Easy and fast

integration, a wide range of applications and

cost efficiency are key parameters. Fraunhofer

IPMS is working on innovative solutions

in the field of memory technologies, sensors

and actuators as well as MEMS systems.

With its comprehensive range of services

and intensive cooperation with chip manufacturers, system manufacturers

and suppliers the institute enables the rapid transfer of results

and technologies.

New computing architectures and innovative storage

for the next generation of computers

720p OLED microdisplay. © Fraunhofer IPMS

We generate a growing amount of data every day. To deal with this,

new technologies are required that enable this information to be

stored and processed quickly. With this in mind, Fraunhofer IPMS

is researching the next generation of computers. In projects with international

partners, such as “QSolid”, “Qu-Pilot” or “QUASAR”, the

institute is working on the production of qubits and the construction

and architecture of quantum computers. The research focuses

on industry-oriented scalability of electronics, optimized materials,

processes and control technologies in regard to their CMOS compatibility.

Non-volatile memory (NVM) solutions are becoming increasingly

important for modern data processing,

as they are more powerful, cost-effective and

energy-efficient. Fraunhofer IPMS can look

back on more than ten years of experience

in the development of MRAM, RRAM and

ferroelectric technologies. Of particular note

are hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric memories,

which can be seamlessly integrated

into advanced CMOS technologies, offering

significantly better performance and lower

cost. Another promising energy-saving while

high-performance technology is In-Memory-Computing.

Here, data is processed directly at the point of origin,

i. e. in the memory arrays.

The research services of Fraunhofer IPMS in this area include

the development of system designs, circuit designs and integration

concepts, as well as material research and characterization up to the

megabyte range. With the implementation of materials into production

lines using wafer loops, a direct transfer into existing technology

nodes can be guaranteed.

Application-oriented MEMS, MOEMS and Microdisplays

on 200-mm silicon wafers

In two ultra-modern 200-mm clean rooms, Fraunhofer IPMS develops

MEMS, MOEMS and microdisplay technologies along the entire

value chain: from individual processes and technology modules

to pilot production and support for technology transfer as well as

licensing. The institute thus covers the technological maturity levels

from 3 to 7. Start-ups, SMEs and companies without their own fabs

Lithography in the 300-mm-clean-room at Fraunhofer IPMS - Center

Nanoelectronic Technologies (CNT). © Fraunhofer IPMS

Research & Development in the 200-mm-clean-room.

© Fraunhofer IPMS


page 8/37

benefit from low investment costs thanks to the full-service offering.

To make it easy for SMEs in particular to get started, the institute

also offers evaluation kits for all of its developments, which are ready-to-use

set-ups that customers can employ to test the Fraunhofer

IPMS technologies directly in their own application.

The institute further develops innovative components such as

sensors, actuators and microdisplays in their 200-mm-clean-rooms.

The latter recently achieved 45% transparency. The microdisplays

are ideal for virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality applications

in industrial production or medical technology due to their

very high resolution and technological level.

Close links with the semiconductor industry

To accelerate the transition from laboratory to practical application,

Fraunhofer IPMS offers a strong network and close cooperation

with industry. At the same time, this promotes Germany‘s technological

competitiveness. The institute recently celebrated 10 years of

collaboration with BASF in the field of new materials for microchips.

GlobalFoundries has also been a close partner in process development

for many years, just like Bosch. The long-standing partnership

with Bosch focuses on the development of MEMS technology, for

example in the development of micro loudspeakers. Furthermore,

the institute operates a metrology center with Applied Materials.

In the Screening Fab at the Center Nanoelectronic Technologies

(CNT), materials, processes and machines can be evaluated under

industrial conditions, in accordance with the ISO 9001 standard and

at ultra-large-scale integration level (ULSI).

Customers, chip and equipment manufacturers, suppliers and

other R&D partners also have access to services on 200-mm and

300-mm wafers. The services range from atomic layer deposition,

chemical-mechanical polishing, wafer metallization and wafer cleaning

to metrology and nanopatterning.

Increasing importance of sustainability

Sustainable microelectronics is increasingly becoming the focus of

modern developments in order to address ecological challenges in

the industry. By using resource-saving materials and energy-efficient

manufacturing processes, the carbon footprint can be minimized.

Fraunhofer IPMS is involved in a number of projects, including

the “Green ICT @ FMD” competence center of the Research Fab

Microelectronics Germany. The main aim is to find and evaluate alternative

and more environmentally friendly materials or processes

and to significantly reduce energy and material consumption during

production. With this, future-proof microelectronics can be developed,

that meet the requirements of sustainability and at the same

time strengthen technological competitiveness.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Photonische Mikrosysteme IPMS

D 01109 Dresden

DuoVane: Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions

Presents the New Generation of

Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps

Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions introduces

DuoVane®, a new series of

rotary vane vacuum pumps. Usable

worldwide, reliable and efficient, they

are the optimized successors to the

proven pumps from the Pascal and

DuoLine series.

clude the generation of fore-vacuum for turbomolecular

vacuum pumps, for example in

accelerators or in battery production. Analytical

devices such as electron microscopes

or mass spectrometers are also equipped

with rotary vane pumps.

The DuoVane vacuum pumps achieve a

pumping speed of 6 to 22 m³/h. Equipped

with a motor that corresponds to the energy

efficiency class IE2, these pumps ensure an

uncomplicated operation worldwide. The

quiet operation results in a more pleasant

working environment. The DuoVane is

equipped with an improved safety valve at

the inlet to increase safety in the event of

application errors. In addition, the pumps

have improved water vapor compatibility,

which makes them more robust, especially

for use in freeze drying, sterilization and

HVAC. Other typical areas of application in-

Innovation meets tried and tested

“Even for proven products, there comes a

day when a successor is launched,” explains

Marcel Merkardt, product manager for rotary

vane pumps at Pfeiffer. To enable uncomplicated

system integration of the new

pumps, they have the same dimensions as

their predecessors. “The DuoVane combines

the advantages of our two proven series

Pascal and DuoLine and enables our customers

to use the known high vacuum performance

with low energy consumption.”

Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH

D 35614 Asslar

The new generation of rotary vane

vacuum pumps DuoVane from Pfeiffer

Vacuum+Fab Solutions. (Source: Pfeiffer

Vacuum+Fab Solutions)


page 9/37

Batteries are a key building block for a successful energy

transition, whether for the electrification of transport, the

stabilization of the power grid or balancing fluctuations in

green electricity. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy

Systems ISE has been conducting research along the entire

battery value chain for many years. Now with today’s inauguration

of the Center for Electrical Energy Storage, the

institute has access to state-of-the-art laboratories which

enable cutting-edge international research. Currently the

institute’s research focus is on improving the sustainability,

safety and performance of battery storage systems.

Fraunhofer ISE

Inaugurates New

Research Center

for Batteries

Testing of new types of electrodes.

© Fraunhofer ISE / photo: Michael Spiegelhalter

The newly inaugurated competence center has a laboratory area of

over 3,700 square meters and is located in the Haid industrial area in

Freiburg. Within the facilities, Fraunhofer ISE will conduct research

on innovative battery materials and cells, develop optimized solutions

for battery systems and promote their integration into various

applications, in addition to carrying out comprehensive quality assurance

tests on batteries. Fraunhofer ISE offers development and

testing services from a single source and caters to a wide range of

customers, from material and battery manufacturers to equipment

builders up to integrators and operators for electric mobility or stationary

storage systems. The institute also cooperates with industrial

partners on recycling and second-life concepts.

The modern laboratory center was financed by the Federal Ministry

of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Baden-Württemberg

Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, each

of which contributed nine million euros. „We are grateful for this

funding, as it has enabled us to build a research infrastructure with

state-of-the-art characterization instruments, industry-oriented

process equipment and unique facilities. We can now develop materials,

technologies, production processes and applications with

a focus on the practical relevance, carrying this out together with

our industrial customers or in close collaboration with Fraunhofer‘s

battery cell research production,“ explains Institute Director Prof.

Hans-Martin Henning.

In fact, the building itself serves as a living lab for research. In

the “Haid-Power” project, which was funded by the state of Baden-

Württemberg with three million euros, the center received a modular

hybrid battery storage system with a capacity of 836 kWh, which, together

with an 850 kilowatt photovoltaic system on the flat roof, supports

the building‘s energy supply. With this system, battery-based

solutions for commercial and industrial use as well as new operating

strategies like intelligent load management can be tested under real

operating conditions. As part of the BMBF-funded „ecoLEPuS“ pro-

Development of new battery technologies in the solid-state

battery laboratory. © Fraunhofer ISE / Foto: Michael Spiegelhalter

Working at one of the glove boxes in the solid-state battery laboratory.


With its PV-hybrid storage system, the building itself serves as a

living lab for the development of new operating strategies.



page 10/37

ject, a fast-charging station with buffer storage is being installed to

test second-life batteries for use in high-performance applications.

Research Focus: Sustainability, Safety, Performance

Within the framework of the energy transition, between 300 and

800 gigawatt hours of stationary battery storage are to be installed

in Germany by 2045, depending on the scenario. To this end, Fraunhofer

ISE is addressing the sustainability of batteries in its research,

for example, by investigating alternatives to lithium, developing sustainable

production processes and looking at second-life use and

end-of-life recycling. In the current „PRONTO“ project, for example,

researchers are working on a sodium-ion battery technology that

does not contain critical raw materials and can be manufactured in

Baden-Württemberg.

With the rapid development of the battery market for both mobile

and stationary applications, the need for investigations and tests

on battery cells and systems continues to increase significantly. By

reducing costs and increasing performance, numerous potential applications

for electrical energy storage systems can be opened up.

Here too, researchers are working along the entire chain from materials

to operational management to improve energy density and performance,

the number of cycles and charging behavior.

„In our new center, we are able to perform characterization measurements

from the microstructure level up to the overall system level,

which enables us to identify defects and safety risks at an early

stage. A safety issue that we are researching currently is propagation,

a chain reaction in which one battery cell after another experiences

thermal runaway, releasing large amounts of heat,“ explains head of

department Dr. Daniel Biro. “Our test team now has access to a unique

laboratory infrastructure with sophisticated safety equipment,

in which we can perform non-destructive tests and explosions on

test specimens in special reinforced test rooms.”

Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE

D 79110 Freiburg

New Appointments

To The OPTIMA

Management Board

The Optima group has completed the generational change

in its management: The group with around 3,150 employees

at more than 20 locations in Germany and abroad, will be

led by Stefan König, Hans Bühler, Marco Beyl and Johannes-

Thomas Grobe.

Building a stable management team for the coming years: This was

an important task for the Optima Group this year. Two positions had

to be filled for reasons of age. After a structured one-year handover

process, this has now been successfully completed. Marco Beyl and

Johannes-Thomas Grobe have taken over the responsibilities of

their predecessors. They join CEO Stefan König and Managing Partner

Hans Bühler on the Management Board.

The new Optima management team: Johannes-Thomas Grobe,

Stefan König, Hans Bühler and Marco Beyl (from left to right).

As CFO, Marco Beyl is responsible for all areas of finance, administration

and materials management. The 47-year-old industrial engineer

has extensive management experience in the project business

as well as international expertise in medium-sized and large companies.

Johannes-Thomas Grobe heads the successful Pharmaceuticals

Division as CEO Pharma. The 58-year-old Doctor of Engineering

has many years of experience in mechanical and plant engineering

as well as in drive and control technology. In his previous positions,

he was responsible for major projects and worked in management in

Germany and abroad.

Shareholder Hans Bühler and CEO Dr Stefan König complete

the management team. König is responsible for the overall development

of the group and the business units Consumer, Nonwovens,

Life Science and New Energy. Bühler is focusing on future issues,

strategic decisions and the shareholder base.

The company can therefore count on proven expertise for its

further development. The foundation of the company‘s philosophy,

based on the mission statement ‚We care for people‘, remains unchanged

and provides a clear direction for strategic decisions. “Optima

stands on solid economic foundations that we want to maintain

and strengthen,” said Marco Beyl.

The family-owned company is focused on being a global solutions

provider in key markets and is pursuing ambitious growth

targets. The enduring values, that have characterized more than a

century of success, will continue to create an attractive working environment.

“Together with our employees, we will implement our

vision in the best possible way,” said Stefan König.

“We see further significant growth opportunities, particularly in

the pharmaceutical market, which we will exploit. We offer our employees

jobs with good prospects for the future,” explained Johannes-

Thomas Grobe.

The previous CFO, Jan Glass, and Gerhard Breu, former Chairman

of Optima Pharma, will continue to support the company in an

advisory capacity. “They deserve our sincere thanks and respect for

their contribution to the successful development of the company,”

emphasized Hans Bühler.

OPTIMA packaging group GmbH

D 74523 Schwäbisch Hall


page 11/37

Dr. Tim Lantzsch and Dr. Stefan Leuders discuss the long-term

prospects of Additive Manufacturing, including integration into existing

production processes and the role of AM in the circular economy.

© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany

Dr. Tim Lantzsch (left) from Fraunhofer ILT and Dr. Stefan Leuders (right)

from voestalpine discuss the current trends in metallic 3D printing,

which have the potential to change industrial production in the

long term. © Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany

Additive Manufacturing in the

throes of technological change

Additive Manufacturing, particularly metal 3D printing, has

evolved from a promising technology to a serious constituent

of industrial production. Industries such as plant engineering,

aerospace, automotive and metalworking are facing

a technological transformation that could have far-reaching

implications for design, production and sustainability.

Dr. Stefan Leuders, head of Technology & Innovation at

voestalpine Additive Manufacturing Center GmbH, Düsseldorf,

and Dr. Tim Lantzsch, head of Laser Powder Bed Fusion

at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT,

Aachen, discuss the current trends in Additive Manufacturing

(AM), analyze the opportunities and risks, and show

which industries can particularly benefit.

We are delighted to talk to two renowned experts about

the future of 3D printing. What are the current trends in

Additive Manufacturing? Which developments do you think

are promising?

Dr. Tim Lantzsch: An important trend I see is that materials and

applications are increasingly being adapted to the specific requirements

of Additive Manufacturing. Many of the materials used to

date were not originally developed for additive processes. We also

see that although the technology is expensive, its added value can

be highlighted more clearly by reducing costs and focusing on niche

applications.

Dr. Stefan Leuders: The current trends in Additive Manufacturing

are strongly focused on working out how the specific advantages

of the technology can be applied more comprehensively and,

of course, making better use of them. What I find particularly promising

is the increasing willingness to rethink long-standing development

approaches and not to apply them one-to-one to new products

that may later be manufactured using an additive process route. For

me, it‘s not primarily about replacing existing processes, but rather

about increasing product benefits through AM.

„Too expensive“ is something you hear time and again

in connection with AM. What economic challenges of

Additive Manufacturing are you dealing with?

Dr. Tim Lantzsch: The main economic challenges lie in the high

costs of systems and materials. These costs largely determine the

component prices, and there is still considerable scope for optimization

here. Furthermore, process reliability, which is not yet widespread,

is a particularly relevant factor. We are working on developing

Additive Manufacturing from a specialist niche into a robust, widely

applicable technology that is also competitive in mass production.

Dr. Stefan Leuders: A key economic factor is still the hourly plant

rate, I agree. However, we are seeing increasing movement in terms

of system costs, driven in particular by non-European competition,

which of course also increases the proportion of costs accounted for

by the material used and therefore also increases the pressure to reduce

costs. Nevertheless, the issue of cost reduction with regard to

the industrial use of AM remains an essential key to being able to

open up further fields of application in the future.

In your opinion, what are the potentials and limitations

of Additive Manufacturing? What can AM offer us,

particularly in terms of sustainability?

Dr. Stefan Leuders: Additive Manufacturing offers considerable


page 12/37

Dr. Tim Lantzsch and Dr. Stefan Leuders agree: The aerospace industry is

one of the beneficiaries of current developments in metallic 3D printing.

Small quantities and the high complexity of lightweight,

high-performance components are already among the strengths

of Additive Manufacturing. © Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany

Dr. Stefan Leuders emphasizes the potential AM has to improve

sustainability, particularly through the repair and reconditioning of tools

and components. The ability to repair and recondition components and

tools is a crucial aspect of a future circular economy. © voestalpine

potential for sustainability, particularly because it could drastically

reduce the amount of material used. In contrast to subtractive manufacturing

processes, only the material that is actually needed for

the component is melted. In the later usage phase there are also often

advantages, such as reduced scrap rates or shorter cycle times in

aluminum die casting or plastic injection molding, which are made

possible by additively manufactured tools with conformal cooling.

Another important aspect is the repair and reconditioning of tools

and components, which is made much easier by AM. This can significantly

extend the service life of products and therefore also reduce

the consumption of resources. However, there are also challenges:

Since the technology is still relatively new for industrial use, there

is still a need to optimize automation and process reliability, among

other things.

Dr. Tim Lantzsch: The potential of Additive Manufacturing lies

primarily in its ability to create complex geometries and tailor-made

solutions that would hardly be possible, if at all, with traditional processes.

And of course, the targeted use of materials, where only the

material that is actually needed is processed, can significantly reduce

the consumption of resources. This is particularly relevant when

you consider the entire life cycle of a product. However, we must also

bear in mind that the production and processing of the material is

energy-intensive. In addition, integration into existing production

processes is often difficult, as AM is still frequently regarded as a

stand-alone technology.

What technological hurdles is Additive Manufacturing

currently facing and what are you researching?

Dr. Stefan Leuders: A crucial point for us is the development of new

process routes in order to meet the technical and economic requirements

of our customers. The design and layout of the components

and tools manufactured in this way also play a significant role. In

addition, AM at voestalpine is, of course, closely linked to the topic

of „materials.“ Within the Group, we are working intensively on the

development of new materials and their post-treatment in order to

fully exploit the technological potential of AM.

Dr. Tim Lantzsch: Exactly, one of the biggest technological hurdles

that Additive Manufacturing is currently facing is the variety of

materials . Many of the materials currently used were not originally

developed for Additive Manufacturing, which often leads to compromises

in quality and performance. For this reason, we are cooperating

with material manufacturers to accelerate the qualification of

new materials for Additive Manufacturing.

At Fraunhofer ILT, we are also working intensively on improving

process reliability and further developing existing systems so that

additive processes can be used more stably and efficiently. Another

major topic is the standardization of processes to guarantee consistent

quality in mass production.

So the industry is slowly but surely changing. Who are the

winners of this development in Additive Manufacturing?

Dr. Stefan Leuders: The long-term winners are the companies that

are prepared to invest strategically in new technologies and can

deal with the associated uncertainties at the same time. Prominent

examples from the recent past can be found in the aerospace and

medical technology sectors. For me, however, it is not just a question

of economic resources, but sometimes also a question of corporate

culture.

On the other hand, industries and companies that are heavily

dependent on cost-driven mass production will tend to find it more

difficult. However, there are also enough fields of application here,

just much more in toolmaking and less in the end product.

Dr. Tim Lantzsch: I agree. The clear winners of this development

are industries that rely on customized, highly complex components

and can take full advantage of the flexibility and design freedom that

Additive Manufacturing offers. In aerospace and medical technology,

AM opens up enormous opportunities to optimize components

while reducing weight and material usage. High-end automotive

engineering and motorsport will also benefit from the possibilities

of Additive Manufacturing, particularly through the production of

lighter and more powerful components.

Thank you very much for this interesting interview.

Visit us from November 19th to 22nd in Frankfurt am Main, Germany,

at the formnext fair at the Fraunhofer booth in hall 11, booth D31, to

learn more about the possibilities of AM.

Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT

D 52074 Aachen


page 13/37

Achieving net-zero emissions is central to Ecolab‘s ambition to deliver net

positive water and climate impact.

Ecolab’s Climate Targets Approved

by Science-Based Targets Initiative

Ecolab Inc., a global sustainability leader

offering water, hygiene and infection prevention

solutions and services that protect

people and the resources vital to life, today

announced that its climate targets have

been approved by the Science-Based Targets

initiative (SBTi), the gold standard for

climate target verification. The validation

encompasses Ecolab’s near- and long-term

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets

and bolsters the company’s track record in

its journey to achieve net-zero emissions

across its value chain.

“Ecolab is committed to achieving our

ambitious climate targets and making an

even greater positive impact with our customers,”

said Christophe Beck, Chairman and

CEO, Ecolab. “By decarbonizing our business

and empowering our customers to do

the same, we are driving positive business

performance while helping tackle the urgent

challenge of climate change.”

As part of its decarbonization strategy,

Ecolab has sourced more than 80% of its

electricity globally from renewable sources

and is accelerating the electrification of its

vehicle fleet. Through 2023, Ecolab achieved

a 25% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and

2 carbon emissions, 1 surpassing the 10%

average reduction reported by WEF Alliance

of CEO Climate Leaders members. 2

Additionally, Ecolab helped avoid 3.8 million

metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions

through collaboration with its customers in

2023.

“Science-based targets are a critical

component of Ecolab’s rigorous climate resilience

strategy,” said Emilio Tenuta, Senior

Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer,

Ecolab. “As we proceed on our pathway

toward net-zero emissions by 2050—and

halfway there by 2030—Ecolab is making

marked improvements in our operational

efficiency while expanding our positive impact.”

Learn more about Ecolab’s ambition to

achieve a net positive water and climate

impact at https://

www.ecolab.com/corporate-responsibility.

ECOLAB LIFE SCIENCES

Winnington Avenue

CW8 4DX Northwich, Cheshire

United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1606 721999

email: infoLS@ecolab.com

Internet: https://www.ecolablifesciences.com

1 From a 2018 base year.

2 2024 Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders annual members survey results, for the period 2019-2022.

3 The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.


page 14/37

Torsten Türling, CEO of the Syntegon Group,

and Jordi Puig, Managing Director of Telstar,

celebrate an important strategic milestone:

Syntegon and Telstar have officially joined

forces to offer customers even more seamless

solutions and services from a single source.

From left to right: Stephan März (Executive VP Pharma Liquid, Syntegon),

Pilar Ramirez (General Counsel, Telstar), Torsten Türling (CEO, Syntegon),

Jordi Serrat (Technology & Operations Corporate Manager, Telstar),

Jordi Puig (Managing Director, Telstar), Petros Kapelles (Chief Operations Officer,

Syntegon), Emili Pablos (Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer, Telstar),

Matthias Wagner (Managing Director, Telstar).

Successful closing: Syntegon and

Telstar officially join forces

– Strengthening strategic growth with a seamless technology and service portfolio

– Significantly expanded pharmaceutical liquid filling offering

– Very positive customer feedback and first inquiries for joint projects

Following regulatory approval, Syntegon and Azbil Corporation have

officially closed the acquisition of Telstar by Syntegon. The Telstar

workforce will now join the Syntegon team in the Pharma Liquid

Business Unit. With the joint offering of fill-finish equipment, isolator

systems, freeze-dryers, loading and unloading systems as well as

further upstream and downstream equipment, customers now have

access to a seamless technology and service portfolio for the production

of antibiotics, vaccines, or biologics.

Strengthening strategic growth

“Syntegon is world market leader in liquid vial filling and isolator systems.

Together with Telstar, we will further enhance our portfolio of

innovative technologies and sustainable solutions, strengthen our

strategic growth, and expand our global reach,” says Torsten Türling,

CEO of the Syntegon Group. “We received highly positive customer

feedback and several inquiries for our joint offering following the acquisition

announcement in June. This clearly shows that we are on

the right track to becoming the go-to partner for seamless solutions

from a single source.”

Leveraging joint expertise

“We are very much looking forward to leveraging our joint expertise

for the benefits of our existing and new customers,” says Jordi Puig,

Managing Director of Telstar. “By using the synergies of a strong

team, we can offer truly seamless line solutions and streamlined processes

with one face to the customer. This way, we will support them

even better in achieving long-term stability of their pharmaceuticals

and fast time to market.”

Telstar, headquartered in Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain, has four

production plants, six technology centers and ten consultancy and

engineering services centers, and commercial offices all over the

world. By combining these capabilities with Syntegon’s global reach,

both companies are now in an even better position to offer

both pharmaceutical manufacturers and Contract Manufacturing

Organizations (CMOs) complete line solutions. Moreover, the joint

service network will be expanded significantly, adding geographical

coverage, proximity, and application expertise.

Syntegon Technology GmbH

Blaufelder Straße 45

D 74654 Crailsheim

Telefon: +49 7951 4020

eMail: packaging-ph@syntegon.com

Internet: http://www.syntegon.com


page 15/37

Customized protective clothing recommendations for safety managers and

end-users generated on the move.

Selecting the Right Garment

Protection with the

New DuPont SafeSPEC App

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has launched the new

app version of DuPont SafeSPEC, its

online PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

selector tool. The app will help to

enable busy safety managers and end-users

to identify protective clothing for their application

in just a few taps. DuPont Safe-

SPEC is an online selector tool that uses

custom hazard parameters to identify PPE

with the appropriate level of protection,

whether the environment is a cleanroom or

a petrochemical plant. Using SafeSPEC

simplifies the selection process and makes

it easier to identify workplace safety solutions,

particularly when out on a job site.

“The SafeSPEC app offers an intuitive

and convenient way for safety professionals

to sift through vast amounts of data and help

to quickly arrive at an appropriate protective

garment solution,” says Dave Kee, Global

Business Director, DuPont Personal Protection.

“It puts the power to protect literally in

the palm of your hand. This is a prime example

of DuPont’s commitment to innovation

through collaboration as part of the Tyvek®

Forward Together vision, with the aim of

enhancing worker safety and wellbeing.”

PPE solutions on the move

SafeSPEC enables users to access a comprehensive

database containing thousands

of potential chemical threats and all the current

PPE options available in the Tyvek®,

Tychem®, and ProShield® ranges of Du-

Pont protective garments, including coveralls,

aprons, shoe covers, and other accessories.

Users simply enter basic hazard scenario

information, and the app offers customized

protective clothing recommendations.

A search can be initiated by entering the

type of hazard or by following the on-screen

guide to identify the most appropriate PPE

Die SafeSPEC App von DuPont bietet Führungskräften im Bereich Gesundheit,

Sicherheit und Umwelt (HSE) sowie Endanwendern jederzeit und überall

Orientierungshilfen bei der Auswahl von Chemikalienschutzkleidung.

options. Autofill fields allow users to effortlessly

navigate through complex chemical

names, making the process quick and efficient.

Once users have entered their hazardous

environment details, their search can

be saved for future reference. In addition to

providing ‘once only’ data entry, SafeSPEC

also can enable safety managers and other

responsible persons to test different scenarios,

ensuring that protection requirements

have been considered for any eventuality.

Once the scenario is created, users can easily

share the recommended products for that

scenario as a PDF.

The DuPont SafeSPEC app allows

ready access to content, such as the latest

product information, technical datasheets,

and a regularly updated permeation database.

This means all relevant product data is

available in the hand, with already downloa-

ded information available offline, can enable

users to discover enhanced protection

and make informed decisions on selecting

chemical protective apparel anytime, anywhere.

DuPont SafeSPEC app is now available

in 9 languages, as well as multiple localized

formats, for download on Apple Store

and Google Play Store.

DuPont de Nemours (Luxembourg) Sa rl

Rue General Patton

L-2984 Contern

Luxemburg

Telefon: +352 3666 5111

eMail: mycustomerservice.emea@dupont.com

Internet: http://dpp.dupont.com


page 16/37

Single-cell technology

Targeted Printing

Bright prospects for personalized medicine: Experts from the Fraunhofer

Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM harness their know-how

in microfluidics and single-cell technologies to print organ structures.

Single-cell technologies play a key role in

studying and characterizing cells. Dr. Christian

Freese, Head of Infection and Cancer

Diagnostics at Fraunhofer IMM, and his

colleagues use microfluidics to dispense

and study single cells on a targeted basis. In

their liquid biopsy diagnostic platform, they

detect and dispense circulating tumor cells

(CTCs) and other biomarkers from liquid

biopsies for accessible and comprehensive

diagnostics. But the researchers wanted to

take things one step farther: Why not build

something with the individual cells?

The Fraunhofer IMM TrapJet principle

sures that only individual cells are trapped,

while others flow onward to the next unoccupied

trap. There are many traps lined up

one after another in a single channel, so the

experts can zero in and release cells simultaneously

in different places and then reuse

the traps.

Much like in an inkjet printer, a heat

bubble dispenses the cell from the nozzle

and deposits it inside a tiny drop of liquid.

Different cell types are given separate print

heads and printed in parallel, each running

through their own microfluidic channels.

“We use microfluidics to cover all of the

parameters that successful bioprinting requires:

We print cells on demand, in a fast,

sterile process. At the same time, this method

ensures that the viability rate for the

printed cells is high. Another part of this is

that we use the characteristic bio-inks composed

of the cell and a liquid specific to the

cell type, which can also be handled in microfluidics,”

Freese explains.

Many existing methods only generate

a thin line of bio-inks containing cells distributed

at random. The Fraunhofer spe-

Cell trap with nozzle: The structure of the cell

trap is designed to isolate the individual cell

from the rest of the cells in the fluid medium,

so it is ready to be printed. © Fraunhofer IMM

With the goal of putting their developments

and methods to work for printing cells, they

realized special microfluidic structures on

silicon-based wafers in the cleanroom at

their institute. These structures are designed

to “trap” cells. The specialists introduce

human cells into ultra-fine channels on microfluidic

chips, and the cells are captured

by special structures there as they flow. The

specific geometry of these structures encialists

print ultra-tiny droplets not much

larger than the cell itself. This allows them to

achieve superior resolution: Each cell is positioned

precisely and can interact directly

with neighboring cells. The researchers plan

to use this method to build organ cultures,

for example, which industry could use to test

medications. The Fraunhofer experts’ stated

aim is to print tissue for skin transplants or

entire organs.

More microfluidics for medicine

To tap into the tremendous potential of these

methods in medicine, the experts from

Fraunhofer IMM will be teaming up next

year with their colleagues from the Clinical

Health Technologies department at the

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing

Engineering and Automation IPA in Mannheim

to launch a high-performance center

for single-cell technologies, where they will

pool and advance their expertise.

The experts were attending the MEDI-

CA 2024 trade show, where they presented

their solutions at the joint Fraunhofer booth.

In addition to single-cell printing, attendees

were able to play a specially developed VR

game to try their hand at marking and later

isolating rare cells.

Fig. 2 Cell trap array: cell traps made of silicon (left). At right: cells isolated in the cell traps (green)

and cell flowing past them (serpentine line). © Fraunhofer IMM

Fraunhofer-Institut für Mikrotechnik und

Mikrosysteme IMM

D 55129 Mainz


page 17/37

TPR tablet presses from Syntegon:

A long history of successful innovation

Most OSD drug manufacturing companies may know the TPR tablet compression

range from Syntegon. It has been part of the portfolio for exactly ten years now and

is installed in many facilities around the globe. However, its history goes back a lot

longer – and takes us to the origins of Manesty tablet making machines in 1905.

In a land before our time… the first Manesty factory

was established in Manesty Lane in Liverpool.

1905 marked the starting point of a long

and very eventful career of pill pressing machines

– and a brand that is still widely known for its

quality and engineering excellence, although the

original name is no longer active on the market.

Manesty: a true revolution

Since its establishment, Manesty went through

the hands of many different owners and had several

facilities and headquarters in the UK. After

producing tablet presses for a few decades, Manesty

Machines Ltd. truly started revolutionizing

the OSD market. Important milestones included

the launch of the first larger rotary press machine. The Rotapress

caused quite a stir in the industry – and led to the launch of the Rotapress

MK II at the New York Chemical Show in 1967. It was the first

fully operational machine in the world capable of compressing tablets

at a rate of 10,000 per minute.

From then on, Manesty developed into the leading manufacturer

of high-speed rotary press machines. The company received both

the Queen’s Award for Export Achievements and for Technological

Achievements several times and boasted an impressive 60% sales

growth with its Rotapress and Betapress rotary tablet compression

machines within three years in the late 1960s. 1971 saw the launch of

the Express tablet press series, followed by the trademark for tablet

presses designed to compress powder or granules using a rotating

die ring in 1975.

A long-term home for the tablet presses

The 1980s and 1990s were further marked by technological advancements

and process improvements, such as the world’s best-selling

tablet press Unipress, and the launch of the first automatic tablet

weight control system Micro PW. Further highlights included the

first fully automated tablet press Elite 450, and the first tablet compression

machine with removable turret in 1988, designed to reduce

downtime for tool and product changeover.

While success continued, production was transferred to the

newly built factory in Knowsley, Merseyside in 2001. It remained

there until the technology was transferred to Waiblingen, Germany,

in 2016, where the tablet presses are still produced today. This resul-

Fun fact: the oldest Manesty tablet press in operation: A few

years ago, Syntegon conducted a survey to find the oldest

machine in operation. This led us to the Fiji Islands, where

a Manesty RD3 from the year 1947 is still producing tablets.

Now, if this is not a perfect proof of quality and robustness!

ted from the acquisition of Manesty Ltd. through Bosch Packaging

Technology (now Syntegon) from the OYSTAR Group in 2011, destined

to give the tablet presses a long-term home.

From Manesty Xpress to Syntegon TPR

The successful Manesty Xpress series had already seen the light

of day in 2002. After the XP500 and XP700 for higher output, the

XP300 was launched in 2004, and the lab tablet press XP100 in 2012.

Visitors to interpack 2014 then finally witnessed the launch of the

TPR series, which is still going strong today. The TPR 500 was followed

by the smaller TPR 200 and the larger TPR 700 at Achema 2015,

completing the portfolio range.

The TPR series and its corresponding service offerings have

remained a portfolio highlight ever since. The most recent add-ons

include a common software platform and the APD automated process

development Feeder, as well as the launch of the TPR 200 Plus

for containment applications in 2020. Additionally, our Sepion coating

machine series completes the portfolio and enable us to offer

customers seamless solutions from a single source for all their tablet

compression and tablet coating needs.


page 18/37

Syntegon TPR series: a success story to be continued

Of course, we are not resting on our laurels. As visitors to this year’s

Achema could see, we have further improved our HMI and added the

TPR for direct compression to our continuous manufacturing line, offering

customers an even more seamless portfolio. In essence, the current

TPR series is the best of both worlds: the renowned and durable

Manesty mechanics, combined with the modern and highly operatorfriendly

HMI and control design and functionalities of Syntegon.

Syntegon Technology GmbH

Blaufelder Straße 45

D 74654 Crailsheim

Telefon: +49 7951 4020

eMail: packaging-ph@syntegon.com

Internet: http://www.syntegon.com

Cooperation between Arburg and AIMPLAS

Development of new materials

for additive manufacturing

– Together: Arburg and AIMPLAS research new materials for 3D printing

– Targeted: New materials for applications e.g. in medical technology

– Sponsored: Arburg provides Freeformer 200-3X for research purposes

The renowned Technological Institute of Plastics AIMPLAS in Valencia, Spain, and Arburg have been cooperating in materials

research for industrial additive manufacturing since July 2024. The Freeformer 200-3X provided is being used at

AIMPLAS to carry out tests to qualify new materials for additive manufacturing. The research team was trained by Arburg

experts in September. The common goal is to develop new applications that fulfil the requirements of demanding industries

such as medicine.

AIMPLAST relies on Arburg Plastic Freeforming

(APF) with the Freeformer. A Freeformer

200-3X has now been installed at the

Plastics Institute. This can process a wide

range of commercially available plastic granulates,

including medically approved original

materials (FDA).

Freeformer additively processes materials

for medical technology

The materials being tested include modified

original materials, medical polylactides, biopolymers

and combinations of these. The

plastics experts are working on optimising

the materials in terms of properties such as

tensile strength, elongation at break, compression

set, solubility and water resistance.

They will then be used to additively manufacture

3D-printed components for orthoses,

resorbable implants and the treatment

of bone fractures, for example.

Open 3D printing system for optimised

material processing

A major advantage of the Freeformer and the

APF process is that the process parameters

can be flexibly varied in order to change the

The Technological Institute for Plastics AIMPLAST, Spain, uses a Freeformer 200-3X for research

into 3D printing materials. The cooperation team (from left): Dr Michael Salinas and José Francisco

García from Arburg as well as Paula Maestro García, Galileo Roig and Vicente González Giménez

from AIMPLAST. (Photo: Arburg)

component properties in a targeted manner.

The program created for the Freeformer allows

small series to be additively manufactured

in a reproducible manner and the option

to further optimise the process individually

if required is retained.

Cooperation with rental machine

The cooperation between Arburg and AIM-

PLAS provides for the Freeformer 200-3X

to be loaned for an initial period of one

year so that the researchers at the technology

centre in Valencia can further develop

their tests and experiments. The focus is on

medical technology and personalised components.

The APF experts from Arburg provided

the AIMPLAS team with customised

training for this task in September 2024.

ARBURG GmbH + Co KG

D 72290 Loßburg


page 19/37

Merck and Intel launch academic research program in Europe, involving eleven

scientific institutions from six European countries.

Merck and Intel Launch Academic

Research Program in Europe for More

Sustainable Semiconductor Manufacturing

– Following the announcement of the multidisciplinary research program last year, the selection process

for funded projects has been completed

– Six projects involving eleven scientific institutions from six European countries are supported by Merck and Intel

– The focus is on the application of Artificial Intelligence for innovations aimed at making semiconductor processes

more sustainable

Merck, a leading science and technology

company, and Intel Corporation, one of the

world’s largest semiconductor designers

and manufacturers, have begun the implementation

of the new academic research

program in Europe announced last year

for more sustainable solutions in semiconductor

manufacturing. In total, six projects

involving eleven universities and institutes

from six European countries are being

conducted. The research program aims to

facilitate breakthroughs in manufacturing

processes and technologies in the semiconductor

industry with the help of Artificial

Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The

focus includes the discovery and development

of new materials, more efficient processes,

and the reduction of waste.

“The semiconductor industry is in a

state of dynamic development with enormous

investments worldwide. Artificial Intelligence

will be one of the major growth

drivers for the industry in the coming years.

Therefore, industry investments must also

flow into sustainability to help reduce the

ecological footprint and use resources more

efficiently. This requires innovations and

collaboration along the semiconductor value

chain, as well as with science and policymakers.

We are very much looking forward

to the multidisciplinary collaboration in

this research program with all participants.

Together, we aim to explore previously unknown

paths and potentials from which the

entire semiconductor industry can benefit,”

said Dr. Anja Jatsch, Head of Materials Innovation

Pipeline Electronics, Merck.

“Intel is committed to driving more

sustainable computing for a more sustainable

future. Collaboration among the entire

value chain to develop new materials and

more efficient processes are imperative

to realizing this ambition and tackle key

challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.

This research program is an excellent

example of how we can accelerate progress

when we work together and collectively

drive toward a net-zero future,” said Sanjay

Natarajan, SVP & GM, Components Research,

Intel.

European Research Program with Eleven

Institutions from Six Countries

In 2023, Merck and Intel announced the

joint investment in the academic research

program for a period of three years. Consequently,

both companies initiated a „Call for

Proposals“ for research groups in Europe.

This submission and selection process has

been successfully completed. Eleven selected

scientific institutions from Germany,

Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland

and the United Kingdom have commenced

their project work.[1] Please refer to

the appendix of this press release for a list

of participating institutions and their corresponding

projects. Merck and Intel will work

closely with the researchers and collaborate

directly with all parties involved throughout

the duration of the projects. One goal of the

investment is to build upon the existing potentials

of the European research landscape

and to contribute to specifically promoting

semiconductor research, inspiring future

talents for the industry, and further strengthening

Europe‘s position in the global semiconductor

industry.

Materials as the Key to More Sustainable

Solutions in the Semiconductor Industry

The research program is part of Merck‘s

commitment to sustainability, within which

the company pledges to human progress

and collaboration along the value chain. In

the Electronics business sector, materials

play a pivotal role in enabling more sustainable

innovations and technologies in chip

manufacturing. Particularly cutting-edge

semiconductors, which are needed among

other things for Artificial Intelligence applications,

rely on new solutions in their pro-


page 20/37

(Photo: Bernd Hartung)

duction since established processes are no

longer applicable at certain atomic scales.

With its Materials IntelligenceTM and

as a key supplier of materials and components

for chip manufacturing, Merck works

with partners like Intel to achieve even more

together. The identification and introduction

of new suitable materials and solutions

into the semiconductor supply chain aim to

link technological progress with a sustainable

approach. Additionally, both companies

are members of the „Semiconductor Climate

Consortium“, which was established in

November 2022.

Ambitious Sustainability Goals on the

Path to Climate Neutrality

Merck has also set ambitious sustainability

goals for the procedures and processes at its

own sites. The company plans to be climateneutral

by the year 2040 and has committed

to reducing its absolute direct (Scope 1) and

indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gas emissions

by 50% by 2030. Additionally, Merck

has pledged to reduce its indirect emissions

along the entire value chain (Scope 3)

by 52% per euro value added by 2030.[2]

Merck is also working towards meeting 80%

of its worldwide purchased electricity needs

with renewable energy by 2030. Projects for

wind and solar energy in the USA, Europe,

and China are expected to account for approximately

70%[3] of the total company‘s

purchased electricity from 2025 onwards.

The company‘s progress is documented in

the sustainability report 2023.

[1] Please refer to the appendix of this press

release for a list of participating institutions

and their corresponding projects.

[2] The baseline year is 2020.

[3] Estimate based on the data from 2022.

Merck KGaA

D 64293 Darmstadt

New DECHEMA/VDI

paper: When to go

for modular plants

concepts?

Modular plants are often considered the concept of the

future. However, investment decisions need to be based on

facts. The DECHEMA/VDI Working Groups Cost Engineering

and Modular Plants provide definitions, evaluation criteria,

and examples for the economic and qualitative assessment

of different plant construction concepts in the paper

„Cost Engineering for Modular Plants“.

The decision for building a new plant in the chemical industry needs

to be well-prepared – it involves not only large sums of money but

also a long-term commitment to a location and/or process. In principle,

three concepts for plant construction can be distinguished:

– Conventional stick-built plants, which are built on-site

– Plants made of prefabricated modules

– Flexible modular plants, where individual functional modules can

be exchanged and combined as needed.

But which concept is the right one for a specific application? The

new paper „Cost Engineering for Modular Plants“ provides answers

to this question and offers guidance for evaluation and selection.

Based on a clear distinction between the three types of plants, the

authors discuss both, hard criteria such as CAPEX, OPEX, and timeto-market,

as well as qualitative factors that should be considered in

the decision-making process. These factors include local conditions

such as the space required for the construction site or labor costs, as

well as aspects like plant lifespan, flexibility, and future reuse.

Concrete examples are presented to demonstrate how these criteria

can be applied to a specific project. Thanks to the attached Excel

files, these can be examined in detail. The experts also present an

overview of possible evaluation methods to arrive at a good decision.

These methods not only include established economical investment

evaluation methods but also alternative methods that take uncertainties

into consideration.

The paper provides valuable guidance for those involved in the

design and engineering of plants. It is available for free download on

the DECHEMA website.

DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V.

D 60486 Frankfurt am Main


page 21/37

Ground-breaking ceremony for

extension building at the Max Planck

Institute for Astronomy

Construction work on a new, state-of-the-art extension building for the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) began

on November 13, 2024, with a ground-breaking ceremony attended by prominent guests such as Heidelberg‘s Lord Mayor

Eckart Würzner. Over the next two years, the world-renowned research institute on Heidelberg‘s Königstuhl will not only

receive additional office space and laboratories, but also a new canteen area.

For over 50 years, MPIA has been one of the leading international

institutes in the field of modern astrophysics. It is not only known

for its outstanding research. The institute is also an international

address when it comes to the development and construction of

high-tech measuring instruments for the world‘s largest ground-based

and space-based telescopes. Recently, for example, the MPIA

has made important contributions to the famous James Webb Space

Telescope (JWST) and the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) in Chile,

the largest telescope in the world, which is currently under construction.

Research at MPIA is conducted in three departments under the

leadership of three directors. Laura Kreidberg heads the Department

of Atmospheric Physics of Exoplanets (APEx), Hans-Walter

Rix the Department of Galaxies and Cosmology (GC), and Myriam

Benisty the Department of Planet and Star Formation (PSF). Ms. Benisty

only took over this department in 2024 from retiring Director

Thomas Henning, who will remain active at the institute as Director

Emeritus.

Over the last two decades, the number of people working at

MPIA has more than doubled to well over 300. Particularly since

the launch of an additional, third department in 2020 to research

the atmospheres of exoplanets under the leadership of the current

Managing Director Laura Kreidberg, plans for an extension to the

institute‘s campus have matured. The existing main building and the

Elsässer Laboratory (an observatory building named after the founding

director) are currently located on the 54,000 m² site, as has the

Computer-generated image of the new extension to the MPIA,

which adjoins the south end of the existing main building.

(Credit: KWA kreuger wilkins architekten)

House of Astronomy since 2011.

„We in Heidelberg are very proud of the international reputation

of our numerous leading scientific institutions. The MPIA on the

Königstuhl has been one of these for more than half a century and

has continued to grow in importance over this time. I am therefore

particularly pleased that the Max Planck Society is laying an important

foundation for continuing the MPIA‘s success story into the

new millennium with the new extension building,“ says Heidelberg‘s

Lord Mayor Eckart Würzner.

The new, separate building with four levels is an extension to the

south end of the existing main building and will be connected to it

on all levels by approx. 7m long glazed walkways. The extension, with

Ground-breaking ceremony for the new extension building at the Max

Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg. From left to right: Myriam

Benisty (Director MPIA, PSF Department), Heike Kiko (Department

of Research Buildings and Infrastructure of the Max Planck Society),

Michael Wilkins (Architect, kreuger wilkins architekten Stuttgart), Laura

Kreidberg (Managing Director MPIA, APEx Department), Eckart Würzner

(Lord Mayor of the City of Heidelberg), Hans Walter Rix (Director MPIA,

GC Department). (Credit: Markus Pössel/MPIA)

Aerial view of the MPIA campus on the Königstuhl with the spiralshaped

House of Astronomy (down left), the telescope dome buildings

of the Elsässer Laboratory (left) and the MPIA main building (center).

The extension building will adjoin the south end of the main building in

the direction of the domed buildings. (Credit: Domink Elsässer)


page 22/37

its 600 m², will preserve the existing green space in front of the Elsässer

Laboratory as far as possible. The extension therefore offers a

large gain in space with a small footprint.

„We would like to thank the Max Planck Society and the architects

for making the extension a reality. The new extension will have

everything that is necessary for modern research work. In addition

to offices for 46 new workplaces, there will also be seminar and meeting

rooms. Furthermore, there will also be laboratories with a focus

on optics and spectroscopy, including clean room qualities, technical

rooms, service areas for IT and a server room. All of this is crucial

for successful work at an international level,“ says Laura Kreidberg,

Managing Director of the MPIA.

„The almost cube-shaped structure with an inner courtyard on

the upper levels enables the spatial proximity to each other that is

necessary to promote informal communication between everyone

in the best possible way. The individual working places are oriented

towards the outside with a quiet, wide view of the clearing and the

forest for good concentration. In the center, the open, shared work

and communication areas with kitchenettes, which support the

typical scientific teamwork with intensive communication among

each other, are located around the inner courtyard. This provides a

bright, pleasant atmosphere with plenty of daylight. The building

incision forms a covered terrace for the casino, which can be seen

from afar from the center of the clearing and from which you can

see the entire clearing,“ says Michael Wilkens of kreuger wilkins

architekten.

The new building also scores highly in terms of sustainability: A

photovoltaic system will be installed on the green roof; in addition,

building materials will be left as raw as possible without further treatment,

such as the façade cladding made of galvanized sheet steel.

Anyone entering the extension building via the barrier-free entrance

in future will also find another key element of the new building:

a new canteen with a kitchen and dining room for the entire

institute. This is because the current canteen facilities at the MPIA

are historically only designed for 64 people and, despite time-consuming

shift work, many employees currently have to eat their meals

in offices or meeting rooms. In future, 120 people will be able to eat

at the same time in a modern and contemporary ambience on 180

m² and, thanks to the special room acoustics and technical equipment,

part of the dining room can also be used as a seminar room for

special occasions.

The architectural office kreuger wilkins architekten is responsible

for the architecture and construction supervision of the building.

The Max Planck Society is the client for the extension, which has a

net cost volume of around 12.6 million euros.

Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Heidelberg

D 69117 Heidelberg

GEMÜ France and Intercarat, both of whom are subsidiaries of the GEMÜ Group, have

moved into their new production and office building in Altorf, north-eastern France.

GEMÜ expands its capabilities

in diaphragm technology

The new building is part of GEMÜ‘s strategy to further expand its

capabilities in the area of diaphragm technology. In recent years,

GEMÜ has already expanded in this field and continuously increased

its capacities. By building the new production and office building,

the technology company is continuing this strategy and has

doubled its production area in France to over 3500 square metres,

thereby creating space for further growth.

„This investment is a major step into the future and underlines

our commitment to long-term growth and innovation,“ says Gert

Müller, Managing Partner of the GEMÜ Group.

The new premises not only offer more space for production and

storage, but also provide state-of-the-art offices and training rooms

to create an optimal working environment for employees. „We‘re

looking forward to welcoming our customers and partners into our

new building and designing the future together with them,“ explains

Rolf Meier, Managing Director at Intercarat.

GEMÜ‘s top priority is its customers‘ needs and requirements.

The company therefore places particular emphasis on product availability

and quality. Building the new, technologically advanced production

plant is a key step in being optimally prepared for the challenges

of the future.

About GEMÜ Frankreich: GEMÜ France is a subsidiary of the

GEMÜ Group and specializes in the sale of valves, measurement and

control systems on the French market.

About Intercarat: Intercarat is a specialist in diaphragm production

within the GEMÜ group. The manufactured diaphragms are

installed in diaphragm valves and are also available as spare parts.

GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG

D 74653 Ingelfingen


page 23/37

Rentschler Biopharma announces

largest single investment at its

headquarters in Germany

Rentschler Biopharma SE, a leading global

contract development and manufacturing

organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals,

including advanced therapy medicinal

products (ATMPs), today announced the

construction of a new state-of-the-art buffer

media station at its company headquarters

in Laupheim. The new facility aims to

further increase production efficiency and

modernize the site, ensuring that the evolving

needs of clients and patients are anticipated

and fully met, both now and in the

future.

„This investment underscores our commitment

to the long-term development of our

Laupheim site, a key part of Germany’s biotechnology

landscape. This expansion will

strengthen our competitive position in one

of the world’s fastest-growing industries. As

a company with 150 years of tradition, Rentschler

Biopharma has always embraced forward-looking,

strategic planning, enabling

us to grow sustainably as an independent family-owned

company. I would like to thank

all colleagues involved in the planning and

execution of this significant project,“ said

Benedikt von Braunmühl, Chief Executive

Officer of Rentschler Biopharma. “Government

support for a German national pharmaceutical

strategy is an important signal

for the industry as a whole. While our focus

remains on strengthening global partnerships,

this investment in our German site

plays a crucial role in ensuring supply chain

reliability and advancing our long-term

growth strategy.“

The state-of-the-art, four-story buffer

media station, covering 3,400 square meters,

is set to be operational by 2028. The

new facility will be seamlessly integrated

with the existing infrastructure, offering

faster and more efficient processes, as well

as ergonomically designed workstations,

providing an optimal working environment

for employees. The new building, along with

all technical systems, will meet the highest

– Construction of a new buffer media station in Laupheim

– Largest investment in the German site; project duration of approx. three years

– Continuous modernization, automation, and digitalization of the site

quality and automation standards, and,

through its state-of-the-art equipment,

support Rentschler Biopharma‘s environmental

and sustainability goals.

“As a CDMO, it is our responsibility to

support our clients in transforming innovative

ideas into life-saving biopharmaceuticals.

Patients with rare and severe diseases

rely on the therapies we develop and manufacture

in partnership with our clients. This

project is therefore not just an investment in

our infrastructure, it is a fundamental part of

our work, creating value sustainably for the

benefit of our clients and for patients and

ensuring the availability of therapeutics in

Germany and globally. With the new buffer

media station, we are making a significant

contribution to operational excellence, enabling

us to respond rapidly to growing client

demands. We are also creating a more ergonomic

work environment for our employees

and positioning our site for future success,”

added Christiane Bardroff, Chief Operating

Officer of Rentschler Biopharma.

The new facility will include three media

tanks and six buffer tanks, providing sufficient

space and capacity for the production

of buffer solutions and media. Buffer and

media preparation will be carried out in separate

areas to ensure the highest standards

of hygiene and safety. In addition, the facility

will be connected to the in-house logistics

system and the piping system for upstream

and downstream processes.

Detailed planning for the new building

has already begun, and construction is

scheduled to start in spring 2025. Completion

and operational launch are planned by

the end of 2027, allowing the full potential of

the new buffer media station to be realized

by 2028.

* The originally published size of the facility

has been updated to the correct figure of

3,400 square meters.

Rentschler Biopharma SE

D 88471 Laupheim


page 24/37

Solar panels have been installed on the buildings as part of the group‘s extensive sustainability efforts. (Photo: Optima)

A milestone for OPTIMA:

Platinum medal in the EcoVadis

sustainability rating

The Optima Group has received the highest recognition

for its sustainability efforts. This reflects Optima‘s commitment

in the areas of the environment, labor and human

rights, ethics, and sustainable sourcing.

Optima was awarded the Platin Medal by the sustainability assessment

platform EcoVadis . This award is only given to the top

one percent of the companies assessed in the respective industry.

Optima is one of eight companies in the mechanical and plant engineering

sector throughout Germany to be awarded the Platinum

Medal in 2024.

The Optima sustainability strategy “We care for tomorrow” was

published in 2022 and triggered numerous activities. Firstly, packaging

solutions that can be recycled are increasingly being developed

together with customers. As a second pillar, various machines were

technically improved in terms of their energy and media consumption.

Extensive energy-saving measures, investments in energy-efficient

buildings, the use of green electricity and the installation of

solar collectors are additional elements.

Over the past 12 months, numerous other measures have been

implemented that have led to this successful award. One major step

was the certification of the management system for IT security in

accordance with ISO 27001. In addition, a detailed significance analysis

was carried out on all key sustainability issues and the carbon

footprint was expanded. Optima has joined the UN Global Compact

as a sign of its commitment to sustainable change. The Code of Conduct

– the guidelines for all employees and partners to comply with

legal obligations – has also contributed to the award.

“The EcoVadis Platinum Medal is a significant milestone for

Optima and confirms our strategy of anchoring sustainability as a

central component of our corporate mission statement,” explained

CEO Dr. Stefan König.

“As a family business and technology leader, we see it as a matter

of course to take responsibility for people and the environment,”

added Hans Bühler, Managing Partner. “We will continue to do so in

the future and use our passion and pioneering spirit for future generations.”

Optima continues to focus on sustainability as the key to innovation

and as the basis for long-term, responsible business practices.

The next steps planned by the group are the creation of a comprehensive

sustainability report and the increased involvement of suppliers

in social and environmental issues.

OPTIMA packaging group GmbH

D 74523 Schwäbisch Hall


page 25/37

SÜDPACK MEDICA wins the

Swiss Packaging Award

with PharmaGuard®

Another distinction for PharmaGuard®: The polypropylene (PP)-based recyclable

blister concept has now won the Swiss Packaging Award in the Sustainability

category. On October 17, 2024, Jürgen Bodenmüller, Ivana Rocca, and Michael

Hermann from SÜDPACK MEDICA accepted the award in Olten.

This innovative film concept is seen as a

pioneering packaging solution for solid

pharmaceutical products or nutraceuticals.

“This pure PP-based blister solution is a

sustainable alternative to the commonly

used materials, such as PVC and aluminum.

Unlike bottle solutions, PharmaGuard® also

protects each tablet individually, just like a

traditional blister pack.” This was the reason

given by the jury of independent experts

from the Swiss business community, headed

by its president, Stefan Jüde.

The submitted packaging solutions are

evaluated via a strictly regulated, two-stage

selection process in the categories in which

they were submitted. The focus is on comprehensive,

forward-thinking packaging solutions,

regardless of the material used. The

participating companies must wait until the

award ceremony to learn whether their concept

has won.

But what makes PharmaGuard®

so special?

Jürgen Bodenmüller, Head of Business

Development and R&D at SÜDPACK ME-

DICA, explains: “By focusing on polypropylene,

the overall concept delivers simple and

effective recyclability, making a significant

contribution to the circular economy in the

industry. According to an LCA conducted

by Sphera, PharmaGuard® is also associated

with a greatly reduced climate impact (in

CO2-eq) of up to 47% as well as lower energy

and water consumption compared to other

popular blister solutions composed of PVC/

PVdC and aluminum.

This flagship product from SÜDPACK

MEDICA also stands out due to its high

transparency, stable shrinkage behavior,

good processability on standard packaging

machines, and a wider sealing range compared

to conventional polypropylene. Another

advantage is simple, secure sealing without

the need for additional coatings – the result

is a truly permanent seal which saves time,

reduces costs, and also benefits the environment.

A key safety feature is the consistently

high barrier across the entire bottom web,

along with the blister’s excellent pushthrough

performance. Sales Director Ivana

Rocca, who also attended the award ceremony

in Olten, adds: “The material is free

from phthalates, vinyl, PFAS, and halogens,

making it safe for human health. And last

but not least, the absence of nitrosamines is

yet another reason for pharmaceutical companies

to choose PharmaGuard!”

SÜDPACK Medica AG

CH 6341 Baar

Cherwell highlighting microbiology

EM products at Pharmaceutical

Microbiology Conference

Cherwell, cleanroom microbiology solutions

expert, is to highlight its range of products

for environmental monitoring (EM) and

process validation in sterile medicinal product

manufacturing and how these complement

other products within its parent company

AnalytiChem’s Life Science segment.

Cherwell will be exhibiting at Pharmig’s

32nd Annual Conference, Nottingham, 20-

21 November, which is focusing on “Hot Topics

in Pharmaceutical Microbiology”.

Aiming to communicate and advance

microbiological best practice in pharmaceutical

and related industries, topics at Pharmig’s

conference will include: evaluation of

the impact of EU GMP Annex 1’s release and

other regulatory updates; discussion on AI

for GMP; and considerations on rapid microbial

testing methodology. This provides

an excellent opportunity for Cherwell’s team

and visiting AnalytiChem colleagues to stay

abreast of the latest industry updates and

share how their products can meet evolving

needs.

Cherwell will be joined by colleagues

from the AnalytiChem team, seeking to learn

more about how to best support Cherwell

and its pharmaceutical microbiology

focused customers.

“We look forward to introducing our colleagues

from AnalytiChem to our pharmaceutical

microbiology customers and some

useful discussions on how our cleanroom

microbiology solutions can be tailored to

meet specific needs,” said Emma Millburn,

Director of Sales & Marketing, Cherwell.

“For example, in addition to our standard

Redipor® prepared media range that we

manufacture in the UK, we also offer a fully

bespoke service for products and packa-

Mathieu Pissoort, Analytichem Sales Director

Europe, and Dennis Scheepmaker, Analyti-

Chem Global Segment Leader - Life Sciences.

ging for any aspect of our customers’ EM

programs. The Cherwell team is always very

happy to discuss and advise.”

Cherwell Laboratories Ltd

OX26 4XB BICESTER

United Kingdom


page 26/37

New educational initiative

for the German chip industry

Securing skilled workers for the chip industry – with this goal in mind, the nationwide flagship project “Skilled workers for

microelectronics: skills4chips” funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), launches on November

1, 2024. A key component is the establishment of a national educational academy for microelectronics and microsystem

technology. The “Microtec Academy” will address the growing demand for skilled workers with innovative training programs

and is coordinated by the Berlin-based Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH).

More chips “made in Europe”: The

European Union aims to double the

share of semiconductors produced in

Europe from 10% to 20% by 2030 and

to intensify regional semiconductor

production through the European

Chips Act. Expanding these production

capacities requires qualified

personnel. This is where skills4chips

comes in: The project is establishing

the “Microtec Academy” as a national

educational hub for microelectronics

and microsystem technology. The BMBF is

providing €12 million in funding over four

years.

The skills4chips consortium, led by the

Berlin Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz

Institute for High-Frequency Technology,

brings extensive experience in training and

education within high-tech fields. This expertise

is built on results from two previous

BMBF-funded projects, “BM = x³” and “Microelectronics

Academy”. Numerous proven

initiatives from regional clusters can be

continued and enriched with new offerings,

such as partial qualifications or specific

programs for career changers.

Strengthening workforce training

with tailored programs

A key component of the flagship project

“skills4chips”: The “Microtec Academy” will

secure skilled workers for the German chip industry.

(©FBH/Matthias Baumbach)

Overview of the actors involved in the

„Microtec Academy“ project. (©FBH)

“Our goal is to sustainably strengthen Germany’s

position in microelectronics,” explains

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Patrick Scheele, Scientific

Managing Director of FBH. “The ‚Microtec

Academy‘ creates a unique network

that brings together all relevant players:

educational institutions, vocational schools,

universities, research, and industry. This allows

us to offer tailored, sometimes nationwide

programs across the entire educational

chain and simultaneously open up new qualification

pathways. In this way, we attract

the urgently needed skilled workers with a

nationwide coordinated approach, benefiting

both people and the industry.”

In the long term, the „Microtec Academy”

aims to increase the quality and quantity

of education and training in microelectronics

on all levels, from career orientation,

vocational training, and university studies

to reskilling and upskilling.

Special attention

will be given to reaching

new target groups, tailoring

educational programs

to demand, and

training vocational teachers

and trainers. New

digital solutions, such as

a virtual technology lab,

will enable innovative

training measures, supporting

flexible learning

and offering a wide range

of formats, from online

courses and hybrid mo-

dels to hands-on courses that

combine theory and practice.

A collaborative effort

in a nationwide network

The project consortium, led by

FBH, comprises six additional

partners, each contributing

specific expertise: the regional

vocational training center of

Steinburg, the Institute of Microtechnology

at the Technische Universität

Braunschweig, the Department of Computer

Science and Microsystems Technology

at the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern,

Otto von Guericke University

Magdeburg, microTEC Südwest e.V., and the

IVAM Microtechnology Network. Additional

cooperation and network partners from

all over Germany, such as the Forschungsfabrik

Mikroelektronik Deutschland (FMD)

and Silicon Saxony, are supporting the flagship

project to advance workforce development

in microelectronics and microsystem

technology.

Event information from the BMBF:

Conference “Skilled workers for

microelectronics”

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research

(BMBF) invites the microelectronics

community from research, industry and

politics as well as representatives of educational

institutions, clusters, trainee and student

associations to the conference “Skilled

workers for microelectronics (#skills4chips)

– How Germany can score points as a location

for innovation through the interplay of

research and education” on March 19, 2025

in Berlin. The project consortium will present

the flagship project at the conference

and use the event to gain valuable impetus

for project implementation.

Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH

D 12489 Berlin


page 27/37

International networking, a wide range of innovations + a forward-looking programme

MEDICA 2024 and COMPAMED 2024:

Medical technology industry uses

global reach to compete for innovation

leadership

„Meet Health. Future. People.“ is MEDICA’s campaign motto for the future in the new trade fair year 2025. The aptness of

the motto was confirmed by the success of MEDICA 2024 and its concurrently held number 1 supplier trade fair, COMPA-

MED 2024. “The best options for global networking were on offer, along with an incredible variety of cutting-edge innovations

and top-level programme highlights. MEDICA is unique in its global reach“, says Marius Berlemann, Chief Operating

Officer of Messe Düsseldorf, clearly impressed by all that happened at the exhibition booths and on the programme stages.

From 11 to 14 November, a total of 5,800 exhibiting companies from 72 nations presented their expertise to some 80,000

trade visitors (from 165 countries) and provided an impressive overview of modern healthcare solutions for inpatient and

outpatient care. The trade fair is one of a kind worldwide for its inclusion of the entire medical technology value chain,

which also comprises technically sophisticated supplier products. With a high proportion of decision-makers and high

satisfaction ratings, both events were perfectly in line with the excellent results of previous years.

More than 90 percent of the visiting professionals who travelled to

the event have decision-making authority, and more than 90 percent

of visiting professionals were satisfied with their participation

in the event.

„This boosts our exhibitors‘ business. Overall, the trade fair‘s

success shows us that the international competition for leadership

in medical technology innovation is gaining momentum and, as in

other industries, companies from Asia are also heavily involved. In

addition to the German companies participating, other national and

regional businesses from Europe, China, South Korea, India and, of

course, Japan and Taiwan were particularly well represented with top

innovations. We are particularly pleased with the large number of exhibitors

from the United States, which once again made up almost 10

percent of all exhibitors, with their variety of joint booths, including

those representing multiple US states“, explains Christian Grosser,

Director Health & Medical Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf.

In particular, the high level of internationality among exhibitors

and visitors once again proved a decisive success factor for the many

newcomers participating in MEDICA and COMPAMED, for small

and medium-sized companies and for players operating in highly

specialised niches in their search for partnerships for development,

contract manufacturing or distribution. “MEDICA brings together

thousands of industry experts from around the world every year. It is

the ideal stage to discover the latest advances and developments in

the healthcare sector and to forge valuable contacts”, Maxine Wang,

Managing Director of Bricon GmbH, describes the inspiring global

exchange during the trade fair. Her company specialises in the development,

manufacture and worldwide distribution of spinal implants.

knowledge transfer, professional discussion and the relevant exhibitor

innovations.

One important new feature this year was the themed hall space

allocation in the MEDICA spheres “Med Tech & Devices“ and “Digital

Health“ (Halls 12 and 13) with a new location for the accompanying

German Hospital Conference. For the first time, the leading

event for the top management of German hospitals was held at the

very centre of the trade fair in Hall 12. The much-anticipated opening

of the 47th German Hospital Conference saw German Federal

Minister of Health Professor Karl Lauterbach (via livestream) and

North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Health Karl-Josef Laumann,

among others, address the delegates, focusing in particular on the

changes in the German hospital landscape as a result of the impending

hospital reform.

Particularly relevant exhibitors presented hospital decision-makers

with innovations for clinical equipment and operating theatres

around the event area. This resulted in a perfect match and a power-

Hospital Conference provides powerful impetus

for the trade fair business

For more than half a century, MEDICA has been characterised by

its ability to surprise with innovations, with programme updates that

keep pace with the times and that, ideally, bridge the gap between

MEDICA 2024 and COMPAMED 2024 were a complete success and lived up

to their new campaign motto (© Constanze Tillmann/ Messe Düsseldorf)


page 28/37

ful impetus for the trade fair business, and not only for the company

LINAK. Together with TENTE, LINAK presented a new type of drive

system that can be integrated into most hospital beds. This works

according to the e-bike principle and noticeably relieves burdens on

hospital staff when transporting patients. “MEDICA was an excellent

opportunity to present our new product, which will revolutionise

the care sector. We were able to address medical personnel, hospital

management, developers and health politicians alike”, explains

LINAK’s Managing Director Christoph Messing.

Exciting sessions and special events

In the neighbouring MEDICA world of experience “Digital Health”,

the range of exhibitors was complemented by a packed stage programme

(MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM, MEDICA ECON FORUM

and MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM) as well as special events such

as the MEDICA START-UP PARK (with a record number of 60 startups)

and the Wearable Technologies Show, all of which ensured excitement

and attracted a great deal of attention. The Hospital of the

Future is a relatively new addition to the MEDICA programme. The

special exhibition started last year and is now being continued with

a focus on digital networking and cooperation via telemedicine in

hospital networks. The Korea Medical Device Association (KMDA)

agreed to a collaboration and presented digital innovations for rapid

patient diagnostics in hospitals in a dedicated zone, which also used

AI-based software.

In addition to the popular start-up competitions, the Women

Leaders in Healthcare session at the MEDICA INNOVATION FO-

RUM, which is now tailored to the entire spectrum of digital innovations,

was one of the absolute highlights on the second day. The

session featured, for example, Hadas Bitran from Microsoft, Ayelén

Fernández from HP, Audrey Sherman from Solventum and Nina

Wöss from Female Founders. They provided insights into how they

achieved success and attained management positions, and how they

are playing a decisive role in shaping innovation and digital transformation

in the still mainly male-dominated medical technology and

health IT business.

In the final of the 13th MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION, Robeauté

from France was the winning pitch team on the forum stage

with a newly developed microrobot for use in neurosurgical procedures.

This year’s Healthcare Innovation World Cup was won by

the Samphire Neuroscience team from the United Kingdom with a

headset that acts on the neural networks of the brain to help alleviate

menstrual pain and the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

News about the year’s hot topics

With programme sessions at the forums and conferences and with

exhibitor presentations in the five trade fair spheres, MEDICA 2024

shone a spotlight on all the year’s hot topics driving the healthcare

sector against the backdrop of its digital transformation, such as the

growing importance of interconnected models of care. The focus

was also on AI-supported systems, robotic solutions and concepts

for dealing with the urgent shortage of skilled workers. Among the

innovations presented at the trade fair were robotic applications to

assist with highly complex neurosurgical procedures or orthopaedic

operations (including hip replacements). Also new was an AI-based

tool for the automatic documentation of medical consultations, a

whole range of rapid tests for point-of-care diagnosis of a wide variety

of infectious diseases (e.g., gonorrhoea or the mpox virus including

the problematic clade Ib mutation) and a medically certified

smartwatch (Huawei) for easy blood pressure measurement at the

wrist.

The special „Automotive Health“ activity area (in Hall 12), which was

designed in cooperation with the Innovation Institute from Frankfurt,

also attracted a lot of attention and a high visitor frequency on

all days of the trade fair. Nowadays, a number of sensors and functions

can be built into cars to enable safe and healthy driving. Fatigue

detection systems, which are already commonplace, are just one

example. In future, many more functionalities will be able to automatically

detect risks of emergencies based on the measurement of

drivers’ vital data, thus possibly avoiding serious accidents. The Innovation

Institute demonstrated its development expertise in this

field by exhibiting vehicles such as the VW ID.4 and also made the

technology tangible in a racing simulator.

COMPAMED: a platform for “enablers”

In Halls 8a and 8b, 750 supplier companies participating in COMPA-

MED 2024 impressively demonstrated their expertise in key technologies

for use by the medical technology industry – from a wide range

of high-tech components and microfluidic applications to special

packaging solutions (taking cleanroom requirements into account).

Two accompanying forums offered a packed programme on all days

of the fair, covering the latest hot topics in the supplier sector, such

as AI, robotics and automation, microtechnology developments and

material innovations.

With a view to the growth markets in Asia, Messe Düsseldorf started

marketing its health fairs in Singapore, Thailand, China and India,

which have been successful for years, under the uniform umbrella

brand MEDICARE ASIA from a central location in Singapore a few

weeks ago.

The dates of the next MEDICA and COMPAMED and

the international medical trade fairs under the umbrella

of MEDICARE ASIA in 2025 are:

MEDICA in Düsseldorf: 17–20 November 2025

COMPAMED in Düsseldorf: 17–20 November 2025

MEDICAL FAIR INDIA in New Delhi: 27–29 March 2025

MEDICAL FAIR CHINA in Suzhou: 20–22 August 2025

MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND in Bangkok: 10–12 September 2025

Strong international visitor attendance at MEDICA 2024 and

COMPAMED 2024 (© Messe Düsseldorf)

Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

D 40001 Düsseldorf


page 29/37

Fakuma 2024 Once Again a Family

Celebration for the Plastics Industry

The 29th Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing closed in Friedrichshafen as a great success. 1639 exhibitors

presented their innovations in the fields of efficiency, sustainability and circular economy in twelve almost fully occupied

halls and nearly booked-out foyers from the 15th through the 19th of October, 2024. The 5-day trade fair on Lake Constance

was characterised by bustling activity, in-depth discussions and a programme packed with highlights.

“It’s finally time again,” rejoiced Dr. Christoph

Schumacher, vice president for global

marketing at Arburg, regarding Fakuma

2024. “For us it’s like coming home.” Michael

Wittmann, owner and CEO of the Wittmann

Group, was also highly satisfied: “We’re very

pleased to be here again. Traditionally, Fakuma

is a trade fair where we hold intensive

discussions and develop new ideas. Personal

interaction and practical experience are

particularly important this year.” Technotrans

Solutions, one of Fakuma’s original exhibitors,

also enjoyed a busy booth and extensive

customer meetings. “For us, Fakuma

is highly convincing because it never fails to

impress us with its high levels of practical

relevance,” confirmed managing director

Nico Küls. High spirits also prevailed at Engel

Austria: “As is the case every year, we’re

delighted to be at the Fakuma again in 2024

and we’re pleased with the numerous constructive

meetings we’ve had at the trade

fair,” said CTO Dr. Gerhard Dimmler, who

was very enthusiastic in praising the large

number of visitors on the first day of the

event. Dr. Ralf Düssel, head of sustainability

at EVONIK and chairman of the board of

PlasticsEurope Deutschland, was impressed

by the “wonderful, magnificent and optimistic

impressions” he gained at Fakuma.

Fakuma is becoming increasingly international.

With 47.5% of the exhibitors coming

from outside of Germany (previous

year: 44.0%), this year’s trade fair for the

plastics processing industry once again occupied

a leading position throughout the

world. From a total of 1639 exhibitors (3

more than in 2023), 778 travelled to Stuttgart

from many different countries – including

170 companies from China, 142 from Italy,

81 from Switzerland, 77 from Austria and 51

from Turkey. For manufacturers and users,

topics such as increased efficiency, process

stability, reproducibility and minimised setup

times are at the top of the agenda. Consequently,

plastics processors are implementing

all conceivable technical and organisational

measures, as well as investments,

to ensure that they remain competitive …

because they’re being forced to produce

more and more economically.

Roundtable Discussion:

Digitalisation is Tops!

The highly specialised expert community

was presented with lots of attractive highlights

as part of this year’s trade fair programme.

Initially, the second edition of the

Fakuma Round Table was held during the

afternoon of the first day of the trade fair,

this time addressing the topic of “Digitalisation

– Top or Flop?” The panel of experts

included Professor Dr. Michael Braungart,

founder and scientific director of BRAUN-

GART EPEA, Miranda Burtscher, head of

corporate operations controlling at ALPLA,

Guido Frohnhaus, managing technology director

at Arburg, Professor Dr.-Ing. Hans-Josef

Endres from the Institute for Plastics and

Recycling Technology at Leibniz University

Hannover and Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas

Seul from the Schmalkalden University of

Applied Sciences. The panellists, moderated

by Dipl.-Ing. Markus Lüling, Editor-in-

Chief of K-Profi, examined the extent to

which digitalisation offers solutions to the

issues of sustainability and the shortage of

qualified personnel. The prominent panellists

arrived at a conclusive verdict: digitalisation

is tops! It’s a necessity! It’s a tool for

achieving effectiveness, which in turn leads

to greater efficiency, emphasised Thomas

Seul. There are plenty of examples from numerous

sectors indicating that digitalisation

has helped us to move forward. Hans-Josef

Endres also made his case for “tops”, because

digitalisation offers many opportunities

and practical advantages throughout the

entire process chain – for example in order

to make the flow of materials transparent

by collecting and using the relevant data, in

order to be able to reuse materials. Michael

Braungart stressed that the prerequisites

for closed loop processes can only be fulfilled

by means of digitalisation. However,

digitalisation should not be taken to absurd

extremes. “We shouldn’t focus attention on

irrelevant aspects,” says Braungart. “Always

take a careful look at what you want to digitalise

first.” The panellists agreed in this

regard: simplify and improve processes first,

then digitalise them. This is the only way

to ensure meaningful and effective digitalisation.

Miranda Burtscher pointed out an

important task: digitalisation also results in

large amounts of data that require the use of

appropriate analysis tools. However, the interfaces

must first be equipped with a common

language because networking would

otherwise be doomed to failure.

New Talent Recruitment on Career Friday

Career Friday was a special highlight this

year: The trade fair promoters, the exhibitor

advisory board and the exhibitors jointly


page 30/37

organised a campaign for pupils, students

and entry-level employees in keeping with

the motto “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your

Future”. The objective was to inform young

people about career opportunities in the

plastics industry and, at the same time, impart

knowledge in the field of plastics. The

campaign was very well received – many

exhibitors organised shuttle services, activities,

tours of the trade fair booths and glimpses

behind the scenes of plastics processing.

More than 400 highly interested young

people took advantage of this opportunity

and joined the various guided tours. “Career

Friday was a highlight in Fakuma’s trade fair

history,” declared Dr. Christoph Schumacher

enthusiastically. Michael Wittmann

praised the initiative as well: “It was a great

opportunity for young people to get to know

our industry.”

An All-Round Positive Verdict:

The Future Is Looking Bright!

“Fakuma 2024 was once again a great family

celebration for the plastics industry,” says

Bettina Schall, managing director of trade

fair promoters P. E. Schall, in summing up

the 5 successful days of the event in Friedrichshafen,

which attracted 36,675 visitors.

“Already at the opening press conference,

Professor Dr. Michael Braungart inspired

us with his approach which holds that

‘everything can serve as a nutrient’. This

was followed by countless discussions and

meetings in the highly frequented exhibition

halls and conference rooms. The Startup

Area enjoyed lively interest at its trade

fair booths. And the expert forum was once

again a central meeting place for the expert

community for gathering in-depth technical

One visual and thematic crowd-puller was the special „arburgSOLU-

TIONworld“ area, where Arburg demonstrated that the company‘s

portfolio and expertise cover all the key issues facing its customers

today and in the future. Trade visitors received individual answers

from Arburg experts to all currently relevant questions on topics of

the future such as productivity increases, efficiency, sustainability,

shortage of skilled labour, and subsidies. There was particular demand

for advice on increasing energy efficiency and solutions in

connection with digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), such

as the „Ask ARBURG“ customer portal app. In addition, a new exhiinformation.”

Bettina Schall is optimistic

about the industry’s future. “Although the

current situation is challenging and we have

to deal with numerous highly complex issues

simultaneously, the concentrated innovative

power experienced at Fakuma 2024

is a strong indication that we’re tackling the

issues with determination and confidence,”

says the managing director. “The last several

days at the trade fair have helped to make it

possible to implement constructive approaches,

step by step. I would like to thank all

of the exhibitors and visitors for their active

contribution and for their participation. All

industry stakeholders are cordially invited

to the 30th Fakuma in Friedrichshafen from

the 13th through the 17th of October, 2026!”

P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG

D 72636 Frickenhausen

Arburg at Fakuma 2024

Impressive trade fair appearance:

Arburg‘s solution expertise is an all-round hit

– arburgSOLUTIONworld: Trade visitors benefit from personalised advice

– German premiere: Price-optimised electric machine expands product portfolio

– Careers Day: Entering the world of work and the future of plastics processing with Arburg

Fakuma 2024 once again attracted many trade visitors to Friedrichshafen despite a difficult economic environment across

the industry. Arburg put on an impressive display with a total of 18 exhibits at its own stand and those of its partners. Highlights

included the German premiere of the Allrounder 720 E Golden Electric, innovative paper injection moulding and

other fascinating injection moulding applications on the topics of sustainability, digitalisation, automation and 3D printing.

The arburgSOLUTIONworld area centred around an imposing LED column proved to be a crowd-puller, offering trade

visitors the chance to benefit from personalised advice on current topics. Arburg experts also showcased practical digital

products and services. The careers campaign, which saw around 30 trainees actively supporting the trade fair team, was also

extremely well received.

„Our trade fair appearance was extremely well received and was a

complete success. We showed:“Wir sind da!“ Fakuma is and remains

an important working trade fair where we present our technologies

and complete range of products and services, and showcase ourselves

as a competent solution provider,“ summarised Juliane Hehl,

Managing Partner Global Marketing and Business Development at

Arburg. „It is absolutely essential for us to invest in customer care

and face-to-face contact. We have very close relationships with

many companies that have grown over decades. Just like us, many of

them continue to pursue their long-term strategies despite difficult

economic conditions. We can and will build on this and are well prepared

for when the industry picks up speed again.“

arburgSOLUTIONworld offers advice and solutions


page 31/37

bition wall with a „transparent“ machine brought pioneering digital

products and services to life.

German premiere: New electric injection moulding machine

The highlight of the exhibits was the large Allrounder 720 E Golden

Electric with a clamping force of 2,800 kN, which celebrated its

German premiere at Fakuma. The new electric machine combines

a particularly slim design with a high level of precision – and at a

particularly attractive price! It is characterised by its space-saving

Challenging to produce and highly sought-after by trade fair

visitors: spatulas injection moulded out of LSR and

thermoplastic, produced fully automatically by a More 2000

electric multi-component Allrounder. (Photo: Arburg)

installation area and high energy efficiency. The new Multilift Select

16 linear robotic system with a load capacity of 16 kilograms and the

fully automated production cells with multi-axis robots were also

very well received by visitors, as was the industrial additive manufacturing

exhibit.

Diverse and innovative injection moulding applications

There was something for everyone among the diverse applications

– from the sustainable injection moulding of small dolphins made

out of recycled material from old fishing nets using a hydraulic Allrounder

420 C Golden Edition to the mass production of 64 medical

syringe barrels each in only around six seconds using a hybrid highperformance

Allrounder 570 H in clean room design.

In addition to classic recyclate processing, innovative paper injection

moulding, which Arburg demonstrated with an electric Allrounder

370 A and „paper pearls“ from its partner Model, attracted a

great deal of interest. The „RecyclatePilot“ assistance function in the

Gestica control system ensured process stability. A 2-cavity mould

from Lercher was used to injection mould positioning tools that have

a fibre content of over 50 percent and are sustainable, stable and easily

compostable after use.

Using vacuum housings as an example, a turnkey system showed

how digitalisation and automation can be used to produce plastic

parts that are 100 per cent traceable and recyclable. The Arburg

Turnkey Control Module (ATCM) Scada system linked the material

and process data. The fully automated application was also an application

example as part of the R-Cycle initiative. The moulded parts

could be seamlessly traced via two laser-etched QR codes, which

were also used to store information relevant to processing and recycling

for the digital product passport.

Much sought-after: 2C spatulas and reusable drinking cups

Successful campaign: Under the motto „mold your future“, around

30 trainees and students spent Friday and Saturday at the Arburg

stand showcasing the great training and career prospects offered

by the Lossburg-based company. (Photo: Arburg)

German premiere: The Allrounder 720 E Golden Electric has extended

the product range of the eponymous electric series upwards.

Its main advantages in a nutshell? A slimline design with a

price to match. (Photo: Arburg)

In high demand among trade fair visitors and challenging to produce

in terms of application technology were food-safe spatulas made

of LSR and PBT, which were produced by an Allrounder More 2000

two-component machine. Handling was carried out by a Yaskawa

six-axis robot. There were also long queues at a production cell built

around an electric Allrounder 630 A, which turned copolyester into

transparent reusable drinking cups capable of replacing glass and

disposable products.

Careers campaign: Great programme at the Arburg stand

On Friday, lots of young visitors also came to the exhibition centre to

find out about training and career opportunities as part of the „mold

your dreams, mold your future“ careers campaign. „We expressly

support this campaign and even extended it to Saturday at our

stand,“ said Dr Christoph Schumacher, Vice President Global Marketing

at Arburg. „The response was excellent, thanks in part to our

fantastic programme and the 30 trainees and students who actively

supported the campaign.“

At the Arburg stand, the young guests were treated to videos on

training, award-winning projects and sustainable injection moulding

applications. Andreas Fath, the „swimming professor“, was

also there in person, speaking about his efforts to combat microplastics

and promote clean water. The enthusiastic school students

and young people were also able to make their own shopping tokens

from recycled material and take part in a competition.

ARBURG GmbH + Co KG

D 72290 Loßburg


page 32/37

Netstal presented a medical

technology application with seamless

quality monitoring at Fakuma

Elion MED 1750

Netstal manufactured 10 ml COC syringes with Luer-Lock adapter

on its Fakuma booth.

Using a fully integrated high-end production system for COC syringes, Netstal demonstrates how production quality and

safety can be guaranteed 100 percent. The key to this is the seamless recording and documentation of all relevant process

and quality features.

At the Fakuma, Netstal was producing 10 ml syringe barrels with

Luer-Lock adapters made of COC using an all-electric Elion MED

with a clamping force of 1750 kN. The part weight is 7.8 g and the

cycle time is around 20 seconds. Netstal processes a material from

Topas through a precision mold with 8 cavities from Fostag. The

seamless monitoring of the thermal processes in the mold is carried

out using technology from Mouldflo. Material preparation and

feeding is ensured by a system from motan colortronic. HB-Therm

provides the latest generation of Thermo 6 temperature control

units. System partner SKA is providing the fully automatic handling

system consisting of high-speed side removal, parts depositing

and an integrated thermal imaging camera for recording the

demolding temperature in the area of the Luer-Lock connection.

Another integral part of the automation is the complete recording

of process and quality parameters and their aggregation to a unique

identifier using a QR code. The injection molding machine is also

connected to the MES from digital partner bfa solutions via OPC-

UA / Euromap 77.

Fully electric Netstal Elion for highest precision and maximum

production efficiency

The choice of injection molding machine is an essential prerequisite

for permanently assured production quality. With its robust

construction designed for maximum reliability, the all-electric Elion

MED 1750 offers the ideal prerequisites for unique precision, reproducibility

and purity in the medical production environment. The

enormous control accuracy is ensured by high-performance mechanics,

high-precision measurement technology and sophisticated

control technology. The latest Axos 9 control generation also ensures

efficient control in the injection molding process with a sampling

rate of 2 kHz. The guided Smart Operation button control ensures

smooth operating processes in the production environment and

high production efficiency.

During the injection molding process, a lot of characteristic data

is generated that provides information about the production quality.

A large number of process parameters are available in the control

system, which can be evaluated, displayed and monitored. The main

focus is on the shaping phase. The quality of the molded part is largely

determined during this injection and pushing forward phase.

Continuous monitoring of all relevant parameters ensures compliance

with the validated tolerance limits. Histograms are used to detect

a possible deviation trend at an early stage and issue a warning.

Netstal RFC ensures shot weight within the validated process

window

Manufacturing processes in medical technology are usually validated

and must be kept within the specified tolerance limits. Netstal

deliberately avoids software-based adaptation of setpoint specifications,

as this can lead to the validated process window being exceeded

or undershot. Netstal‘s solution is called Responsive Filling

Control (RFC) and is based on a force-dependent pressure changeover.

The technology works with highly accurate and dynamic sensor

technology, which is developed and produced exclusively for Netstal.

The integrated force control offers ideal conditions for high-pre-


page 33/37

cision process control, as it is independent of the material properties

and ensures a constant part weight within the tightest tolerances.

Seamless monitoring of the cooling water supply

In addition to the process parameters controlled by the machine, the

thermal processes in the injection mold are of great importance for

component quality. In medical technology, solutions that can measure

and evaluate temperatures and water flow per connection on

the mold are becoming increasingly popular. Netstal relies here on

the system from market leader Mouldflo, which uses specially developed

measuring manifolds to ensure seamless monitoring of the

cooling water supply. Based on the vortex principle, the flow rates

of each individual cooling circuit are recorded and monitored using

highly sensitive sensors. In addition, the water temperature in the

flow and return of each cooling circuit is measured. This information

provides a comprehensive overall picture of the thermal processes in

the mold, which must remain within the validated process window

at all times.

The SKA handling system removes the finished syringes and

places them on a conveyor belt. The system communicates with the

machine via the Euromap 77 interface and provides additional, quality-relevant

process indicators. A thermal imaging camera is used to

measure the temperature around the Luer lock adapter of the syringes.

The aggregated data from the entire injection molding process

is assigned a unique identifier. Each data set can be traced with a

displayed QR code.

Netstal Maschinen AG

CH 8752 Näfels

Trapezoidal lead screws convert rotational movements into linear movements.

They are able to transmit high positioning forces and are indispensable in a wide

range of applications.

Long-lasting, Strong, Universal

When it comes to moving parts linearly, holding workpieces in place

or making position adjustments in mechanisms, trapezoidal lead

screws and nuts are almost always involved. Lead screws

are ideally suited for rapid positioning movements,

can transmit high forces

and torques and are exceptionally

resistant to wear. The

latter aspect is entirely true of

Ganter’s implementation of

the standard, GN 103, which

is available in a variety of dimensions.

A rolling process is

used in manufacturing, which results

in enormous compression of the

material and yields excellent surface quality.

Ganter maintains stocks of lead screws made

from case-hardened steel C15 and stainless steel AISI

304 in the most common sizes from Tr8x1.5 to Tr50x8 and

in both single- and multi-start versions. Trapezoidal lead screws

in the lengths of 500 or 1000 mm can be shipped promptly from

stock even when ordering just a single part.

As usual, Ganter goes beyond merely offering the standard part

itself by sharing expertise and assisting with correct design principles.

The technical instructions explain important aspects such as

flank pressure, self-locking and backlash on reversal as well as critical

buckling forces and rotational speeds depending on the diameter

and the unsupported lead screw length.

Translating rotational movements into linear movements requires

a matching lead nut in addition to the trapezoidal lead screw. The

Ganter part GN 103.1 made from gunmetal offers very good gliding

properties, robustness

and long service life.

It is mounted centrally

via the radial mounting

flange. The same configuration

can be ordered

in a plastic version in polyamide

(PA) or polyacetal (POM).

Hex-shaped nuts are also available

in steel or stainless steel as well as cylindrical

nuts in steel, stainless steel, gunmetal

and POM. These are ideally suited

for specific solutions as they are easy to

modify for integration into custom applications.

Ganternorm was founded in 1894 as

a mechanical workshop in Furtwangen,

Germany. The first Ganter standard parts

catalog appeared in 1912 – five years before

the founding of DIN. Today, Ganter

develops and produces standard parts for all

sectors of industry. Roughly 80,000 standard parts are held in stock,

ready for delivery.

Otto Ganter GmbH & Co. KG

Triberger Straße 3

D 78120 Furtwangen

Telefon: +49 7723 65070 Telefax: +49 7723 4659

info@ganternorm.com

http://www.ganternorm.com


page 34/37

Maximum safety and flexibility for the laboratory of the future | The new generation of

safety cabinets, claire® neo, sets new standards for safety, design and function.

claire® neo – Experience the new flexibility

The claire® neo concept allows users from

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laboratory requirements. The main focus

of this new flexibility is the production in metric

increments of 30 cm. The previous model

series, claire® pro/pure, as well as competitor

models were historically based on Anglo-American

HEPA filter dimensions in foot

increments (1 foot = 30.4 cm), which resulted

in fractional dimensions. The claire® neo, on

the other hand, integrates perfectly into the

modern laboratory environment.

Functionality

In order to be able to adapt to new requirements

and applications, the design of the safety

cabinet also allows subsequent adaptations.

For example, different types of worktops,

interfaces for data transmission and power

supply as well as media access points for gases

and liquids can be easily retrofitted by service

technicians or users themselves. In addition,

the innovative architecture of the air duct allows

the safety cabinet to be retrofitted on site

from a 2-filter system to a 3-filter system in order

to increase safety when working with cytostatics

or hazardous biological substances.

The flexibility of the claire® neo is also

increased by the new worktop concept. The

universal design makes it possible to exchange

and combine all worktops between

all claire® neo models. This enables individual

adaptation to the respective process.

Berner International provides users with

an extensive portfolio of standard worktops

made of stainless steel as well as a variety of

special models to choose from. These include

worktops made of white safety glass for a

particularly bright working environment as

well as functional worktops with an integrated

temperature control function or keyboard,

for example. The power supply and

data transfer are carried out using the plugand-play

function underneath the worktop.

Thanks to the flush and liquid-tight integration,

the functions can be used safely without

restricting the available space and can

be arranged individually in the work area.

Digitalisation

Digitalization and the Industry 4.0 or Laboratory

4.0 concept are now also playing

a decisive role in the research and medical/

pharmaceutical sectors. The claire® neo

meets these new requirements thanks to

flexibly expandable control software and

the user-friendly Open Platform Communication

Unified Architecture (OPC-UA)

interface. This enables the safety cabinet to

communicate with other laboratory devices

and monitoring equipment and to track and

store a wide range of operating data as well

as all logins and alarm messages.

In addition, the user interface and menu

navigation are extremely intuitive and individually

configurable. For example, the user

profile can be configured and 15 function

keys can be individually assigned via the

high-end touch display.

Sustainability

The issue of sustainability was also taken

into account during the development of

the claire® neo. Thanks to the consistent

use of high-quality, energy-saving components,

intelligent air control and the

combination of ECO mode with an ESM

function (Energy Save Mode), power consumption

has been reduced by 9% to 17%

compared to the predecessor model, the

claire® pro1. These effects are reinforced

by retrofitting options, the design of all

components for a long service life with a

typical service life of > 15 years (excluding

wearing parts) and the possibility of highly

efficient laboratory planning. This means

that resource- and investment-intensive

new purchases can be avoided as far as

possible.

SKAN Pure Solutions is the long-standing

partner of Berner International in Switzerland.

The new development of the claire®

neo also involved a lively exchange of

in-house and customer experience.

1 per metre working width, claire® neo B-3-150

compared to claire® pro B-3-130 (GMP/ECO

mode)

SKAN AG

CH 4123 Allschwil


page 35/37

Innovative Series E Valve Technology

Combines Sustainability with High Performance

Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions unveils the

Series E, the first electric angle valve for

high vacuum applications. These new valves

set an industry standard with superior control,

energy efficiency, reliability, and significant

cost savings.

Advanced electric actuation for

enhanced control and durability

Series E offers an electric actuation

system that is first in its class, designed for

precision and robust performance. It features

a failsafe mechanism to maintain safety

during power losses and a ‘local mode’

for manual operation during maintenance.

This reduces mechanical stress and ensures

consistent, safe performance.

Designed for energy efficiency, lowering

costs and boosting sustainability

Optimized for low energy consumption,

the electric angle valve can significantly cut

operational costs and support sustainable

industrial practices. Its motor-controlled

system uses less energy than traditional valves,

helping businesses reduce their operational

costs while simultaneously improving

their environmental footprint.

Ideal for high vacuum isolation

applications

These valves are reliable for critical settings,

ranging from 10-3 to 10-9 mbar. Its efficient

24 VDC electric actuation and robust

elastomer seal ensure high performance.

Designed for easy integration, its right-angle

structure enhances system compatibility

and user-friendliness. „We are thrilled to

launch the Series E valves, marking a significant

advancement in vacuum technology,“

said David Crone, Global Head of Valves at

Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions. „This inno-

Series E electric angle valve for high vacuum

applications from Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab

Solutions. Source: Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions.

vation is a testament to our ongoing efforts

to develop eco-friendly solutions that harmonize

operational efficiency with environmental

stewardship.“


D 35614 Asslar

Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions – a member of the Busch Group – introduces the TPG

202 Neo, a new Piezo/Pirani handheld gauge designed to meet the demands of various

industrial and laboratory environments.

Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions Introduces

New Handheld Measuring Gauge

With its compact design and intuitive usability,

the TPG 202 Neo covers the range

from 5E-5 to 1.2E3 hPa. The gauge is set to

become the standard for reliable and efficient

vacuum measurement tasks.

Versatile and robust design

The TPG 202 Neo measuring gauge

stands out with its compact size and durable

silicone protective cover, making it perfect

for use in demanding environments. Its robust

design ensures that the TPG 202 Neo

can withstand harsh conditions while providing

accurate measurements. The gauge’s

versatility allows it to be employed across a

wide spectrum of applications, from laboratory

settings to field service operations.

Easy data management

One of the key features of the TPG 202

Neo is its large internal mass storage, which

allows for continuous data collection over

extended periods. “This feature simplifies

data management, as users can easily export

collected data via a USB-C connection without

needing special software,” says Sedrick

Njomou, Product Manager at Pfeiffer. The

TPG 202 Neo is also equipped with a large

LCD display that supports graphic data plotting,

enhancing the user experience by providing

clear and precise data visualization.

“This makes it easier for users to interpret

data and make informed decisions based on

real-time information,” adds Sedrick Njomou.

For a wide range of applications

The applications of the TPG 202 Neo

extend from measuring rough as well as

medium vacuum to determining pumping

New handheld measuring gauge TPG 202 Neo

from Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions. (Source:

Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions)

speed and performing simple leak detection

using pressure gradient or increase measurements.

This makes the TPG 202 Neo a

reliable and efficient solution for daily measuring

tasks across various industries.


D 35614 Asslar


page 36/37

Maximum compatibility and safety

The Nexus Connect® connection

With the new, optimized Nexus Connect®* flare connection, the Ingelfingenbased

technology company GEMÜ is now introducing an innovative flare connection

for its CleanStar and iComLine valve series. As a result, GEMÜ is now

offering its customers another optimized flare connection to GEMÜ valves and a

range of suitable fittings.

GEMÜ C60 CleanStar with

Nexus Connect® connection

In the semiconductor industry, flare connections

have long been an established

standard in the area of media distribution

and media supply. However, this connection

type reaches its limits in applications with

extreme pressure and temperature requirements.

GEMÜ now has an innovative solution.

The Nexus Connect® connection not

only provides greater safety, it also ensures

seamless compatibility with existing fitting

systems.

GEMÜ already offers the optimized flare

connections that are currently available on

the market for GEMÜ CleanStar and GEMÜ

iComLine valves. With the Nexus Connect®

connection, we now have the opportunity

to offer this connection consistently

throughout the entire HP product range and

to supply suitable fittings for them.

Due to its compatibility with the most

widespread optimized flare connection,

GEMÜ‘s customers can equip their plants

without needing to replace other components.

This is also underlined by the successful

test results of Fit-Line Global, which

confirm that both connection types can be

seamlessly combined.

The introduction of this Nexus Connect®

includes the GEMÜ CleanStar valves

series, which will initially be available with

welded-on adapters as well as in the compact

SpaceSaver version. For the iComLine

series, the connection will also be available

in a machined version on single valves as

well as the GEMÜ PC50 valve blocks. Its expansion

to the entire HP product range is

planned.

With the Nexus Connect® connection,

GEMÜ is setting a new standard with respect

to flexibility and performance in the

semiconductor industry. Integrating this innovative

design not only promises to make

installation easier, but also to increase efficiency

and reliability in critical production

environments.

*Nexus Connect® is a registered trademark of

Fit-Line Global

GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG

D 74653 Ingelfingen

Impressum:

cleanroom online / W.A. Schuster GmbH · Mozartstrasse 45 · D 70180 Stuttgart · Tel. +49 711 9 64 03 50 · Fax +49 711 9 64 03 66

info@reinraum.de · www.cleanroom-online.de · GF Dipl.-Designer Reinhold Schuster · Stgt, HRB 14111 · VAT DE 147811997

Original texts and images

The contributions mentioned by name are the responsibility of the particular author. Reprinting, also of extracts, are permitted only with the approval of

the editor and with reference to the source. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and illustrations. The publisher

is granted the exclusive, spatial, temporal and contentual limited right to freely use the article in unchanged or edited form for all purposes as often as

desired or to transfer it to third parties for use. This right of use relates to print and electric media (Internet, databases, data carriers of all kinds).


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