Main themes such as energy and AI will be much discussed during PPA 2023

The energy crisis and its consequences for industry and complex production chains, integration with cloud environments, AI and cyber security. These and many other themes were discussed at the 2023 edition of the Production Process Automation (PPA) event.

A total of 187 visitors found their way to Hart van Holland in Nijkerk. Jaap van Bijleveld and André van Ham, who work at Kerry Food Ingredients, had the honour of giving the opening keynote. They explained how savings were possible at the cooling tower based on an energy scan. With the help of frequency controllers, among other things, Kerry was indeed able to reduce energy consumption, although in practice the situation proved to be more difficult in some areas than the energy scan indicated. Step by step, Jaap van Bijleveld and André van Ham took the visitor through the process from advice to realisation.

The parallel seminar program included many interesting lectures. Jasper Zondervan (AVEVA Select Benelux) talked about how a rapidly deployable energy monitoring system can provide insight into where energy can be saved and what the current carbon footprint of companies is. A biscuit factory served as an example, where considerable energy savings were achieved.

René de Theije of Prodek Solutions stated that although AI is close to conquering the industrial world, we still need to look closely at existing processes, data and our own professionals: there is still a lot to learn from them. Steven Rouvoet (Flexim Instruments Benelux) discussed the advantages of clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters in his lecture. These are able to provide insight into the energy content of pipes during normal process progress.

Homi Sihombing (ABB) explained the advantages of a so-called collaborative operation center. This allows the status of all kinds of measuring instruments, machines and sensors to be monitored remotely. Dirk Kop from JUMO outlined how the arrival of Single Pair Ethernet in the industrial environment makes it easier to have sensors communicate with the cloud.

The closing lecture was given by Dennis Hoeks. He outlined how Vencomatic is able to make poultry houses smarter by developing data-driven products. This increases animal welfare and at the same time allows for both increased production and environmental benefits. Hoeks spoke about it previously with FHI.

After a morning and afternoon full of lectures on the latest trends and developments in the field of production processes, it was time for the closing drinks on the exhibition floor. Both the knowledge partners and FHI are already looking forward to the 2024 edition of PPA.