A new Danfoss Impact paper argues that “competitive decarbonisation” is central to achieving market competitiveness, empowering industries to both lower their environmental impact and sharpen their competitive advantage.

“The paper tackles already existing products and solutions which can be applied immediately across MENA industry to limit energy waste, promote electrification and boost competitiveness, especially in energy-intensive industries”, highlighted Ziad Al Bawaliz, regional president at Danfoss Türkiye, Middle East and Africa.

Electric motors drive key industrial technologies like fans, pumps, compressors, and conveyor belts, and they represent more than two-thirds of industrial electricity use. In the EU, optimising motor efficiency could lead to annual savings of US$10bn-US$11.3bn in electricity costs and prevent 12.5-14.1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to the annual footprint of nearly two million Europeans.

Energy efficiency

In the EU, only about one-third of the energy mix is currently electrified. However, expanding electrification in industries is crucial to easing pressure on an already maxed-out energy grid. The paper advocates for an Electrification Action Plan with explicit targets for demand-side electrification to ensure a sustainable energy future.

Kim Fausing, president and CEO, Danfoss, said, “I remain a stubborn optimist when it comes to Europe’s future, but we need to reestablish the growth mindset of the past. Mario Draghi’s report on EU competitiveness has crucially identified many areas in which Europe can improve including our elevating energy bills as a case for a massive overhaul of how Europe does business. Lowering energy consumption, cutting emissions and driving down the energy bills through energy efficient and cost-competitive electrification solutions could very well be European industry’s greatest growth opportunity.”

“Our Danfoss Impact paper takes this a step further by outlining a clear guide for immediately taking action to harvest the lowest hanging fruits in industry to limit energy waste, promote greater rates of electrification and boost competitiveness, especially in energy-intensive industries. Rather than dismissing decarbonisation in the pursuit for greater productivity, our research shows that decarbonising industries is critical for making them more resilient and increasing economic competitiveness,” added Fausing.

The Danfoss Impact paper reveals that by adopting energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures, manufacturing industries could save significantly on energy bills while increasing the gross value added. The cost-efficient measures can both prepare the industry for deep electrification, and free up vital funds needed for investments in R&D and innovation – two key areas where Europe is falling behind.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) kicked off its 28th Council meeting in Abu Dhabi today, ahead of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29).

Over the next two days, IRENA Members will discuss key issues surrounding the global energy transition, focusing on the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, as recommended in the Outcome of the First Global Stocktake.

A recent IRENA report, Delivering on the UAE Consensus: Tracking Progress Toward Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030, produced in collaboration with the COP28 and COP29 Presidencies, the Government of Brazil (COP30 host), the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), reveals that current national plans are expected to deliver only half of the necessary growth in renewable power by 2030 to keep global temperature rises within the 1.5°C limit.

Strategic partnerships

During its 28th session, the IRENA Council will dive into discussions on national approaches to the energy transition, exploring both the challenges and the opportunities for scaling up financial support for renewable energy initiatives.

The focus will also be on the role of innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, especially in accelerating the energy transformation for small island nations.

Over the course of the two-day gathering, participants will also review and evaluate the implementation of IRENA’s ongoing work programme and budget, working together to drive further progress in the global renewable energy shift.

IRENA Council chair Dr. Gloria Magombo, Secretary for Energy and Power Development, Zimbabwe said, “The alarming gap between the current global trajectory of the renewables-based energy transition and our collective climate targets underscore the urgency of IRENA’s mission. As Chair, I am committed to ensure that the 28th IRENA Council meets with collaborative resolve in support of the Agency’s work to accelerate progress across its Membership.” 

“The 1.5°C target is still within reach, but the risk of missing it is becoming increasingly near,” said IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera. “The third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) must close the gap towards 2030. With COP29 less than a month away, the gathering of the IRENA Council presents another opportunity to re-emphasise the urgent need to approach Baku with significantly heightened ambition.”

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of a new manufacturing facility in the UAE, aimed at producing AI-ready data centre solutions to meet the region’s expanding data centre needs.

The facility will focus on manufacturing and assembling prefabricated modular data centres equipped with AI capabilities.

This initiative aligns with the UAE's 'Make it in the Emirates' strategy and supports the In-Country Value (ICV) programme, which aims to stimulate local economic growth and enhance the private sector’s contribution to the national GDP.

The opening of this facility underscores Schneider Electric’s commitment to driving local production, sustainability, and industrial growth through innovative manufacturing solutions.

The newly introduced data centres are crafted to fulfil customer expectations for improved predictability, reduced overall ownership costs, and quicker implementation. Alongside addressing the rising infrastructure requirements in the region, the facility will also play a pivotal role in creating jobs locally, with up to 70% of local involvement in areas such as supply chain management, logistics, project oversight, and maintenance.

This move underlines Schneider Electric’s dedication to advancing the UAE’s industrial growth and economic progress, while aligning with the nation’s goals for sustainability and locally-driven industrial expansion.

Amel Chadli, president of Gulf countries, Schneider Electric, said, “Our expansion in local manufacturing reflects Schneider Electric’s commitment to the UAE's vision for industrial growth and sustainability. By advancing our AI-powered data center solutions, we are addressing the country’s increasing demand for scalable, energy-efficient, digital infrastructure. This facility will allow us to deliver data center solutions that align with both national economic objectives and the evolving needs of industries.”

TAQA has launched its next-generation M4 Inflow Control System. This system allows operators to optimise reservoir performance while sustainably managing fluid production.

The M4 Inflow Control System regulates the flow of unwanted fluids like water and gas, preventing the binary (open/close) effect that can lead to instability or halting production. The system excels in controlling water in ultra-light and light applications and enhances gas production control, offering stability and flexibility across various reservoir conditions.

One of the system’s standout features is its advanced pilot control system, which is highly sensitive to density, making it suitable for a wide range of oil types, including ultra-light, light, medium, and heavy oils. Additionally, its multi-phase control capabilities allow the device to perform efficiently, regardless of its orientation in the wellbore.

Flexibility at sites

TAQA’s M4 Inflow Control System offers seamless ‘plug and play’ integration with its entire portfolio of inflow systems, optimising performance across all well and reservoir types. The design incorporates features such as last-minute capacity adjustments and the ability to circulate to the bottom, ensuring ease of installation and flexibility, even at the rig site.

The system is engineered to maintain an open operating point for oil while being highly restricted for water, based on precise force field analysis confirmed through single and multi-phase flow testing. It has undergone rigorous testing in state-of-the-art multi-phase loops, evaluating the flow behaviour of water, oil, and gas mixtures under various conditions.

Although the system is not limited by oil viscosity, it has performed exceptionally well with oil viscosities as low as 0.5cP, tested alongside water to establish the optimal operating and control points at different water cuts. A comprehensive qualification matrix, including debris, erosion, and cycle testing, has also been completed.

Current market technologies often struggle to control water effectively when oil viscosities drop below 1cP, and there is a risk of turning into a “binary” open-close system, shutting off zones prematurely. TAQA’s new device overcomes both of these issues, ensuring reliable and efficient operation across a range of challenging conditions.

Dr Mojtaba Moradi, subsurface engineering manager of TAQA, said, “With the largest portfolio of inflow control systems more than 20 years of inflow control devices expertise, the M4 Inflow Control System represents the pinnacle of our innovation so far. This new generation offers water control by gradually reducing inflow as water production increases, avoiding premature well shut in.

Its main benefit is precision control based on reservoir production. The device allows operators to maximise output without risking shutting wells in, so they can manage production continuously and efficiently, which translates into obvious financial benefits.”

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE's largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has announced achieving zero heat-related illnesses for the third consecutive summer.

Heat-related illnesses pose a significant risk for anyone working outdoors during the UAE's intense summer heat, with the potential to be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. EGA’s industrial operations, which generate additional heat, run continuously throughout the summer, requiring round-the-clock outdoor work.

EGA's 'Beat the Heat' programme, in place for over a decade, is a comprehensive, summer-long initiative designed to combat occupational heat stress. It focuses on raising awareness among employees about the early signs of heat-related illness and empowering them to take proactive measures to prevent its onset.

Stress prevention

EGA’s ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign incorporates several measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, including hydration tests conducted before and during shifts, regular breaks, and cooling showers. The programme also features cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units installed throughout the production areas to ensure that both employees and contractors remain cool and comfortable during their work shifts.

Medical personnel from EGA’s on-site centres play an active role in heat stress prevention, working closely with employees and providing immediate treatment to anyone reporting early symptoms of heat stress.

Since 2022, EGA has partnered with US technology firm Kenzen to trial wearable technology that monitors key physiological indicators such as core body temperature and heart rate. This summer, 300 EGA employees used these devices, which provide real-time feedback to both the wearer and EGA’s safety team, allowing for the detection of early heat stress signs before they are physically felt.

The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020 when two employees required treatment. Both individuals received intravenous hydration and fully recovered within hours.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, “Our success in completely preventing heat-related illness on our sites for the third year in a row proves that this key hazard for outdoor workers in region can be overcome. Occupational heat stress remains a serious challenge in our region and beyond, and we believe our experience has important lessons for everyone employing people to work outside.”

Global technology intelligence firm ABI Research has completed its 2024 Manufacturers’ Technology Adoption & Attitudes Survey, gathering insights from 461 manufacturing decision-makers across the United States, Malaysia, and Germany. The survey reveals key trends and attitudes surrounding the technological landscape in the manufacturing sector.

A significant finding is the widespread belief among respondents that cloud platforms are essential for real-time collaboration with suppliers, distributors, and partners. According to the survey, 76% of respondents have already implemented cloud-based solutions to enhance data accessibility and improve supply chain efficiency.

Additional applications of cloud platforms include remote monitoring of production processes and the efficient management and analysis of production data.

New insights

These insights highlight the growing role of cloud technology in modern manufacturing, as companies increasingly rely on digital solutions to streamline operations and boost efficiency.

“Manufacturers are leveraging cloud platforms, especially hybrid cloud solutions, to help increase production output and efficiency. Manufacturers are leveraging cloud-based supply chain applications to track inventory, shipments, and production status, to improve supply chain visibility and transparency. However, some fundamental challenges remain, such as the integration of legacy infrastructure and data security concerns, that continue to hinder the widespread adoption of cloud solutions in the manufacturing industry,” saidYih-Khai Wong, principal analyst with ABI Research.

Manufacturers are accelerating their digital transformation efforts, driven by the increasing demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions, the expansion of smart IoT devices, and the surge in data generation across both on-premises infrastructure and public cloud platforms.

However, many manufacturers operate within heterogeneous technology environments, where various platforms and solutions are used throughout the manufacturing process. This complexity and the lack of unified technology standards often hinder real-time collaboration. A cloud-based enterprise data fabric architecture offers a solution by breaking down data silos and integrating data from multiple sources, enabling seamless real-time collaboration across the business.

“Cloud platforms provide flexibility and scalability for manufacturers to scale up or down, based on production and business needs. This will be crucial in ensuring a robust enterprise data fabric architecture, which allows manufacturers to foster real-time collaboration, enhancing the capability for remote monitoring and analysing production data more efficiently, ultimately increasing production innovation,” concluded Wong.

Zebra Technologies, a provider of digital solutions that enable businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, announced that TAS, a global supplier to automotive OEMs, has enhanced the production quality of electric vehicle battery caps.

This improvement was achieved using a reliable and precise deep learning machine vision solution powered by Zebra’s Aurora Vision Studio software, ensuring greater accuracy and security in the manufacturing process.

To ensure precise finishing for each battery cap, TAS employs a meticulous process where robotic systems handle the metal sheets through various inspection stages. A highly sophisticated camera system is utilised to detect potential defects that could affect quality.

Custom-built operations

This custom-built camera system, designed by ID Engineering, a Zebra Registered Industrial Automation System Integrator specialising in machine vision, can identify even the smallest surface imperfections, ensuring the caps' safety and performance.

The adaptability of Aurora Vision Studio enhances the system's reliability, allowing TAS to continuously improve safety and precision by addressing coating irregularities, surface scratches, and laser marking issues.

Setting itself apart from other solutions, the Aurora Vision Studio system integrates deep learning tools that drive continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing process. The system is trained using a comprehensive dataset of images, enabling it to recognise and classify specific defect types. These image datasets are annotated and fed into the system, which can be retrained to identify new inspection criteria or fine-tuned for existing defects. This allows the image processing solution to evolve and improve continuously, leveraging deep learning technology.

A key advantage of this deep learning capability is its flexibility, ensuring reliable inspection even when industrial conditions change—a significant benefit over traditional image processing tools, which may not adapt well to evolving production environments. The system’s flowchart-based image processing solution uses a no-code approach, enabling fast and convenient training, ensuring that TAS maintains consistent product quality while adapting to production changes.

“The successful integration of surface treatment technology and a custom-built quality control system with deep learning represents a significant advancement in quality control and our continuous commitment to innovation,” said Temel Tas, managing director, TAS. “With Zebra Technologies’ machine vision system, we can meet the high-quality standards of the automotive industry, and we are already planning to implement this technology in future projects.”

“The main advantage of Zebra’s Aurora Vision Studio is its speed in development and execution time when analysing many and sometimes large image files simultaneously, which is much faster than other technologies we tested,” said Michael Sartor, machine vision department head, ID Engineering. “The scalable Zebra system is easy to use and it’s no-code solution enables fast development. Beyond the technology, we appreciate the valuable support from Zebra.”

“This solution is a good example of how deep learning algorithms can be used to help ensure better quality in industrial production,” said Donato Montanari, vice president and general manager, Machine Vision, Zebra Technologies. “Aurora Vision Studio and its deep learning add-on provide the foundation on which even huge amounts of data can be processed and utilised. This is an important contribution to the manufacturing technology of the future.”

Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has signed a key mining concession agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM).

The agreement grants MDO the rights to explore and develop strategic minerals within concession area 51F, located in the Al Wusta Governorate, covering 2,156 sq km in the Wilayat of Mahout. This area contains valuable deposits of silica, limestone, and dolomite, all of which are critical for industrial growth and economic diversification in Oman.

Silica, which is in high demand due to its essential role in industries such as glass manufacturing, renewable energy technologies (including solar panels), and energy storage, is a key focus of this agreement. In 2021, the glass industry became the largest consumer of silica sand in the region, and this demand is expected to grow. According to a report by Syndicated Analytics, the GCC silica sand market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.7% from 2022 to 2027, potentially reaching US$513.5mn by 2027.

The new concession positions MDO to become Oman’s first silica sand miner. Silica sand, valued for its high purity (above 97% naturally in this site), strength, and non-reactive properties, is critical for industries such as glass, solar technology, and chemicals. The agreement underscores MDO's and MEM’s confidence in the long-term commercial potential of the concession area.

With the addition of this new concession, Minerals Development Oman’s (MDO) total concession area now covers 24,119 sq km.

Strategic projects

MDO is not just an asset owner but also a driving force for regional mining sector growth. Each project is designed to create value for investors while delivering tangible benefits to local communities through job creation and economic empowerment.

In 2024, MDO launched several strategic exploration projects targeting key minerals, including copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, salt, and hard silica. Earlier this year, the company broke ground on the Lasil and Al Baydha Copper Mines Redevelopment Project in Sohar, Liwa, which aims to produce 800,000 tonnes of copper ore annually, supported by a confirmed 2.78 million tonnes of commercial-grade copper reserves.

In the coming months, MDO is set to begin construction on the Yanqul Copper Project, managed by its subsidiary Mazoon Mining LLC. Located in the Yanqul region, Mazoon Mining received exclusive rights from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in 2022 to explore, develop, and produce copper concentrates, with gold as a secondary by-product. Following detailed feasibility studies, the Canadian firm Lycopodium has been appointed as the EPCM contractor, with construction expected to commence by the end of 2024. This project represents a significant milestone for MDO, positioning Oman as an emerging player in copper production and advancing the nation’s economic diversification strategy.

Nasser Al Maqbali, CEO of MDO, remarked, "This agreement underscores MDO’s commitment to harnessing the nation’s mineral wealth to create investment opportunities, generate employment, and drive sustainable industrial development. Our exploration of silica resources reflects Oman’s untapped potential to support critical industries, especially those related to the energy transition.

With these projects, MDO is becoming a key player in the region’s mining industry and helping Oman achieve its goals of economic diversification and sustainable growth. By focusing on strategic minerals and building impactful partnerships, we are committed to boosting the mining sector’s role in the national economy."

Maximise real-time visibility on industrial processes with cutting edge RFID performance. The IRX200 from Brady combines powerful RFID reading with integrated edge computing and native OT & IT connectivity to support greater warehouse and production efficiency.

Instantly see the status and evolution for both work-in-progress in production, and stock levels in the warehouse, using the same hard- and software. Reduce production interruptions. Track inventories automatically with an RFID reader that can pick up 1000 items per second. Streamline processes and enhance output using accurate, real-time, automated and programmable data that enable fast, accurate decision making and effective continuous improvement.

Unique, all-in-one tracking

Read battery-free RFID tags right out of the box with the IRX200’s all-inclusive functionality. An integrated, high gain RFID antenna makes the IRX200 easy to install and maintain. The RFID reader does not require external antennas. Native OT & IT connectivity, including Profinet IO and OPC UA, enable smooth, reliable data throughput. Before sharing, data can be processed by a built-in edge computer that nullifies latency and reduces facility cloud bandwidth consumption. Equipped with powerful computing capabilities, the IRX200 can run RFID reader and AI apps to process data in real-time, and share them with stakeholders and other machines in the most optimal way.

^{The RFID reader does not require external antennas.}

Enhanced visibility. Industrialised reliability.

The IRX200 is designed for industrial environments. With EN 60068-2-27 shock, EN 60068-2-6 vibration, and IP67 ingress protection tested mechanics, the reader can be mounted on almost any racking, conveyor, forklift and indoor vehicle. An operating temperature range of -20°C to 55°C makes the IRX200 useful in many industrial environments and applications.

With the IRX200, a large number of industries can power productivity using insights and decisions supported by real-time, actionable data from their own industrial processes.

Learn more about IRX200 fixed reader on Brady websites.

A significant leap in workplace efficiency

Bring your workplace to the next level of efficiency and productivity with reliable RFID. Locate, identify, track and trace multiple assets at once from a 15m distance without ever having to lay eyes on them. Or cover your entire workplace with well placed fixed RFID readers to maximally accelarate asset tracking. Quickly guide employees to the assets they need in the most optimal order, fully automate inventories and check any outgoing cargo for completeness in seconds.

Get some inspiration from our free guidebook >>

Brady Europe, Middle East & Africa
www.brady.eu