Working with Fluke’s new online CO₂ emissions calculator, the LeakQ™ creates detailed air compressor leak reports from images captured by Fluke ii900 or ii910 acoustic imaging cameras.

Fluke, a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement tools and software, has just launched a new CO₂ emission indicator to the online LeakQ reporting tool. In addition to the existing estimated leak size and costs, this new feature adds a third element: the estimated electricity-related CO₂ emission in relation to the identified leaks.

Maintenance engineers and sustainability managers who work with compressed air and gas distribution systems every day can be unaware of exactly how much gas and energy is wasted due to small leaks in the system. For compressed air applications, LeakQ used in conjunction with Fluke’s online CO₂ emission calculator enables users to quantify the financial value and environmental impact of detecting and fixing leaks in the system by creating detailed reports from images that have been captured using the Fluke ii900 Industrial Acoustic Imager and ii910 Precision Acoustic Imager.

Environmental impact

Approximately 90% of all processing companies use compressed air in some aspect of their operation, such that it is sometimes referred to as the fourth utility. It is estimated that if there were no maintenance systems in place at all, the losses due to leaks in the network would be between 25-30%. Whilst desirable, it is highly unlikely that any plant will achieve a 100% leak-free compressed air system.

Compressing air is an energy-intensive process and as such any leaks in compressed air systems mean a significant proportion of the electricity used by a compressor to compress the gas should be perceived as energy waste. Due to the energy-intensive process, and the potential environmental impact of electricity production, the ability to quantify the environmental and financial value of maintenance is helping companies drastically reduce their energy (costs) use and carbon footprint.

Detailed leak detection

Typical leaks to focus on are quick connect leaks in a joint or interface that isn’t threaded, open-end leaks in large holes or open-ended pipes, threaded coupling leaks via metallic threads or weld cracks, and leaks in rubber, flexible and plastic hoses and pipes. Standard leak detection tools only measure dB on a narrow frequency band but LeakQ carries out an automatic scan of the full frequency spectrum and captures the actual frequency range that the leak is generating. This makes estimations far more representative of the real leak rate than those that are achievable using more traditional measuring tools.

Report generator

To develop a report and estimate the potential costs of leaks, the user simply transfers inspection data from the ii900 or ii910 to a computer, where they can be dropped into the online LeakQ report generator. The user then inputs the operating variables such as gas type, pressure, cost of electricity and System Specific Power ratio, which is a measure of compressor efficiency. The report generated will include a summary of all the leaks listed as well as their estimated individual and annual volumes, costs, and emissions. Leak images are also inserted into the report which can be shared as a PDF or downloaded as a CSV file for importing into existing maintenance systems. A feedback option enables users to relay their experiences directly back to Fluke so that the company can continue to make the leak detection tool better and easier to use.

Prioritising maintenance

Tako Feron, Global Product Manager of Acoustic Imaging at Fluke said: “Being able to prioritise, quantify and cost leaks in such a simple way is a game-changer for maintenance engineers who will be able to see the full financial and environmental impact of even the smallest leak in a compressed air system. Having the ability to reduce electricity usage is clearly a major bonus at any time but particularly in this challenging climate regarding the cost of energy. At the same time, it is essential to minimise leaks in compressed air systems if we are to meet our crucially important sustainability targets.”

Feron adds: “It’s estimated that around 90% of companies use compressed air in some aspect of their operations and the majority of this is generated on-site. That means it is down to the user to keep the costs of compressed air as low as possible and the LeakQ™ leak detection reporting tool provides an extremely powerful means of helping them to achieve that goal.”

Learn more about the LeakQ™ report generator here.

About Fluke: Fluke’s mission is to be the world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools. The company’s products are used by technicians and engineers in service, installation, maintenance, manufacturing test, and quality functions in a variety of industries throughout the world. Founded in 1948, Fluke has offices in 13 European countries and distributes its products to over 100 countries around the globe. The company’s European revenues contribute approximately 40 per cent of worldwide sales. Fluke’s headquarters are located in Everett, Washington State and the company employs over 2,500 people internationally. Its European sales and service headquarters are located in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

FLUKE is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation. For more information, visit the Fluke website at http://www.fluke.com.

India is all set to ban the production, import, stocking, distribution, sales, and use of an array of single-use plastic products including straws. Against this backdrop, the ban on plastic straws will temporarily disrupt the sales of small packs of soft drinks, which are very popular among the Indian masses, opines GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Market Analyzers^* reveals that the margins on small packs in India are low as they typically retail at INR10–INR30 ($0.13– 0.38). Nonetheless, owing to their mass-market appeal, pack sizes of 100ml to 330ml contributed 35.1% of overall soft drinks volumes in 2021. However, as the ban extends to plastic straws, which are quintessential accessories for small packs, soft drinks companies will be badly hit.

Bobby Verghese, the Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Plastic straws are a part and parcel of the consumption experience of small cartons and pouches packs. Switching to bottles, cups, or pack formats with drinking spouts is a cost- and time-intensive proposition for soft drinks companies. In addition, the domestic manufacturing capacity for recyclable, biodegradable, and edible straws may prove insufficient in time for the ban. Moreover, the high import cost of such sustainable straws will drive up prices of the small packs at the cost of its mass-market appeal.”

Leading companies such as Parle Agro, Amul, and Dabur are developing in-house capacity for paper straws, and others are expected to toe the line sooner or later. On a positive note, the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association has affirmed that domestic paper mills are capable of producing sufficient paper straws for the soft drinks industry.

Verghese concludes: “While single-use plastic pollution is a growing concern for Indian authorities and consumers, the price-sensitive masses are unable to foot the bill for eco-friendly alternatives. The onus is therefore on the industry to adopt sustainable packaging and take accountability for the packaging waste.

“While the change is painful, in the long-term companies can gain consumer goodwill given that sustainable/environmentally friendly feature is an essential factor for 56% of Indian consumers while purchasing products, according to GlobalData’s 2022 consumer survey^**.”

• Quotes provided by Bobby Verghese, the Consumer Analyst at GlobalData
• Data is taken from GlobalData Consumer Intelligence Center—Market Analyzers, accessed in June 2022 and GlobalData 2022 Q2 Consumer Survey—India, with 598 respondents, published in June 2022

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis, and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology, and professional services sectors.

Auxilium Technology Group (ATG), a startup connected to the University of Arizona, in collaboration with Metso Outotec, is one of two finalists in the BHP Tailings Challenge, an international competition to promote the development of new technologies to reuse mine tailings.

Last year, ATG was one of 10 companies and academic research groups chosen to move on to the laboratory stage of the BHP Tailings Challenge, from an initial field of 154 applicants from 19 countries. Metso Outotec and ATG signed an agreement to collaborate on this initiative, and in April 2022 BHP chose two finalists, ATG and Americas Tailings Inc., a company that has developed a process to turn mine tailings into fertilizer products.

Auxilium Technology Group and Metso Outotec advance with their tailings re-processing solution to the final round of BHP Tailings Challenge

For the next phase, ATG plans to build a pilot tailings processing plant at the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory, owned by University of Arizona. Metso Outotec will contribute with advice on engineering and scale up using Metso Outotec products.

Metso Outotec, a partner for positive change and a promoter of sustainable tailings management solutions, supported the ATG process design concept by estimating engineering costs and providing Metso Outotec Plant Solutions technology competence. The concept considers pre-designed plant units known as “Process Islands” for almost all the process areas of the future plant. Metso Outotec’s approach supported the project from optimal equipment sizing to optimizing engineering costs and modularizing the plant to meet future capacity requirements.

Mining companies like BHP are eager to find alternatives for the use of tailings, which are costly to store and regulated under environmental laws because they contain pollutants.

After initial cleaning of the tailings, the proposed process includes use of the material as construction aggregate or an insulating “geofoam” that can be sprayed or 3D printed to produce insulating blocks.

Discover more about Metso Outotec Tailings Management Solutions and Metso Outotec Concentrator plant on our website.

Metso Outotec is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. By improving our customers’ energy and water efficiency, increasing their productivity, and reducing environmental risks with our product and process expertise, we are the partner for positive change. Metso Outotec is committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C with Science Based Targets.

Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Metso Outotec employs over 15,000 people in more than 50 countries and its sales for 2021 were about EUR 4.2 billion. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. mogroup.com

Ideal for training personnel on automatic and manual operation of Russelectric switchgear

Russelectric, A Siemens Business, a leading manufacturer of power control systems and automatic transfer switches, announces the availability of Switchgear Simulators designed to train personnel on automatic and manual operation of Russelectric switchgear for renewable energy facilities and microgrids. 

Customized to mimic the operation of the customer’s Russelectric® switchgear/system, Russelectric simulators are ideal for familiarizing workers on the system and its operation and for accurately diagnosing a wide range of utility, generator, and breaker problems. The simulators can also be used to assess the impact of changes to PLC setpoints such as kW values and time delays. Using the simulators enables operators to evaluate an almost limitless number of responses to failure scenarios and use the information to develop and validate site operating and emergency procedures.

Russelectric Switchgear Simulators are available in two versions. The Russelectric Training Simulator allows personnel to train on the automatic operation of Russelectric Switchgear, while the Russelectric Advanced Training Simulator allows personnel to train on both manual and automatic operations. With the addition of hard-wired controls and interlock circuits, the simulator PLC accurately mimics full manual controls, enabling personnel to train in the comfort and safety of an office environment.

For more information, including videos demonstrating how the simulators are used for personnel training, visit http://www.russelectric.com/products/simulators/.

About Russelectric

Founded in 1955, Russelectric®, A Siemens Business, provides high-integrity power control solutions for mission critical applications in the healthcare, information technology, telecommunication, water treatment, and renewable energy markets. The company maintains vertically-integrated manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts and Oklahoma, where it designs and builds a full line of automatic transfer switches, switchgear, and controls.  Russelectric products carry the longest and most comprehensive warranty in the industry, and are backed by a team of expert factory-direct field service engineers. To learn more about Russelectric products and the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction, visit www.russelectric.com, call (781) 749-6000, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pepperl+Fuchs Rail Field Switches are the First Ethernet-APL Products to Achieve Registration

FieldComm Group provides conformance testing and registration for leading industrial instrumentation technologies for the process automation sector, now Ethernet-APL solutions join the portfolio of registered products with the availability of physical layer conformance testing for Ethernet-APL infrastructure products — power switches and field switches.

Ethernet-APL is an enhanced physical layer for single-pair Ethernet (SPE) based on 10BASET1L. This new physical layer provides end-users with a resilient, isolated and powered Ethernet network for process automation.  Ethernet-APL enabled field devices connect directly to this network.  Switches registered with FieldComm Group undergo conformance tests for crucial aspects of the physical layer of the new technology: EMC, Data and Power.

Gunther Rogoll, Manager of Fieldbus Technology for Pepperl+Fuchs expressed excitement for this milestone. “We are thrilled to have the first registered Ethernet-APL switches, the Rail Field Switches including up to 24 intrinsically safe Ex ic spur ports, with FieldComm Group. We have recently been working with FieldComm Group to create test policies and procedures for infrastructure products like field switches and power switches usable by all test and registration authorities in the Ethernet-APL consortium, including ODVA, OPC Foundation, and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International. This effort will ensure conformance to the Ethernet APL standards independent of test agency.”

FieldComm Group has worked closely with ODVA, OPC Foundation, and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International in a concerted collaboration in developing the test specifications and processes for Ethernet-APL products.

“Conformance to the Ethernet-APL standard strengthens the process automation industry as a whole,” explains Ted Masters, President, and CEO of FieldComm Group. “We are excited for this opportunity to provide testing and registration of Ethernet-APL Infrastructure Products, a major component of the Ethernet-APL ecosystem. This is the first step towards a complete suite of registration services from FieldComm Group for Ethernet-APL products to fulfill the field-to-cloud initiative brought forth by Ethernet-based technologies.”

Mr. Masters continued, “As additional innovative products join the digital evolution of process automation we will see HART-IP field devices and other infrastructure products completing our registration process, expanding the breadth of fast and secure process data delivery for cloud-based analytics and optimization.” 

FieldComm Group has developed a conformity assessment system to support Ethernet-APL switching hardware. FieldComm Group assesses products for overall conformity to the Ethernet-APL standards using a combination of test results from specialized laboratories and in-house testing services. Products are evaluated against the latest test specifications to ensure consistent EMC immunity and emissions of products; the functionality of the PMA, PCS, PHY Control, and Auto-Negotiation sublayer; and the correct implementation of Port Profiles electrical characteristics such as noise and power for Intrinsic Safety. Product owners who submit conformant Ethernet-APL infrastructure hardware receive a conformance report, certificate and listing on the FieldComm Group Product Registry.

For further information about FieldComm Group’s services, please visit their website to contact them today.

The FieldComm Group

The FieldComm Group is a global standards-based organization consisting of leading process end users, manufacturers, universities and research organizations that work together to direct the development, incorporation and implementation of new and overlapping technologies and serves as the source for FDI (Field Device Integration) technology. FieldComm Group’s mission is to develop, manage, and promote global standards for integrating digital devices to on-site, mobile, and cloud-based systems; provide services for standards conformance and implementation of process automation devices and systems that enable and improve reliability and multi-vendor interoperability; lead the development of a unified information model of process automation field devices while building upon industry investment in the HART^®, FOUNDATION^™ Fieldbus and FDI^™ standards. Membership is open to anyone interested in the use of the technologies. For more information, please visit www.fieldcommgroup.org

TotalEnergies and its partner SSE Renewables, have announced the first power generation from the Seagreen offshore wind farm, 27km off the coast of Angus in Scotland.

The first turbine, of a total of 114, was commissioned in the early hours of Monday morning. The aim is for the 1075 MW farm to be fully operational in the first half of 2023. The $4.3bn Seagreen project will be Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm and the world’s deepest fixed bottom wind farm as it is being developed in 59 meters of water depth.

“We are delighted to announce the start of power generation from Seagreen, our first offshore wind steps in the UK North Sea,” said Vincent Stoquart, Senior Vice President of Renewables at TotalEnergies. “This marks a new step in the development of TotalEnergies’ offshore activities capacity. This milestone will contribute directly to our objective of reaching 35 GW of renewable electricity capacity worldwide by 2025.”

“We often talk about key milestones along a project’s journey, and Seagreen has had a number to date, but to see this turbine turning in the North Sea and to have reached first power safely, is a fantastic achievement for everyone connected to the project. The project has already brought several benefits to the local community, and the UK supply chain and, once completed, Seagreen will make a significant contribution to Scotland and the UK’s ambitious renewable energy targets,” said Paul Cooley, Director of Offshore Wind, SSE Renewables.

TotalEnergies entered into an agreement with SSE Renewables to acquire a 51% stake in the Seagreen project in June 2020. Seagreen has a capacity of 1075 megawatts (MW).

When fully operational, the site will produce around 5 terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable electricity per year, enough to power the equivalent of 1.6 million households.

Vanderlande has selected Kollmorgen NDC Solutions as a technology and service partner for their automated guided vehicle (AGV) applications. Based on Toyota Material Handling forklifts equipped with the Kollmorgen NDC Solutions technology, Vanderlande aims to strengthen and grow their portfolio of complete logistic and warehouse solutions. 

Vanderlande is a market-leading, global partner for future-proof logistic process automation in the warehousing, airports and parcel sectors. Its extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realization of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology.

“Vanderlande and Kollmorgen share a very similar mindset. We both have a long history of advanced, industrialized and proven automation solutions – with reliability, collaboration and the relentless strive for end-user success being our common cornerstones. We are convinced that this collaboration will drive strong growth for Vanderlande and Kollmorgen – but above all for our end-users”, says Tobias Byfeldt, Vice President, Kollmorgen AGV.

“Vanderlande strives to deliver the best fully integrated autonomous vehicle (AV) offering as part of our solutions for our warehousing, parcel and airport customers. With this collaboration we are confident that by combining our expertise and solutions we can jointly deliver and continuously develop better AV solutions”, adds Daan Stikkel, General Manager AV Vanderlande.

For more information about Vanderlande, please visit www.vanderlande.com.  

About Kollmorgen NDC Solutions

Kollmorgen's NDC Solutions is the industry leading platform utilized by vehicle builders to create driverless logistics automation solutions. The platform consists of both software to route vehicles efficiently, and hardware for navigation and control. With Kollmorgen NDC you may automate virtually any type of vehicle or robot and integrate it to any type of material handling application, in any industry, worldwide. Learn more at www.kollmorgen.com/agv.

Average container prices have declined by more than half from the last year in August as China picks up containerised trade volumes more recently, according to an analysis published by Container xChange, a technology marketplace and operating platform for container logistic companies. The analysis is a part of the monthly container logistics report published by Container xChange titled ‘Where Are All The Containers’.  

• Average container prices halved from August 2021; leasing rates decline by 17% from June to July this year 
• China to Canada one-way leasing rates decline at the highest rate by 49 per cent as compared to China to any other country 

The decline in average container prices and leasing rates offer good opportunities for shippers and freight forwarding companies to plan cargo as the supply chain braces for the peak season, typically from July to September. 

Trade in China was impacted in the first half of the year, but the containerised trade seems to have picked up since July (2022) according to the analysis put together by Container xChange.  

“Shippers are once again hoping that the exports will restore in full swing as the industry prepares for the peak season. Amidst this, there are more reasons for shippers to rejoice as the average container prices and one-way leasing rates Ex China shows a downward trend at a time when shipping is historically at its peak in the country. The average container prices are more than halved as compared to the last year, in August. Clearly, this brings cheers to the shippers and forwarders hoping to ship cargo containers out of China.” said Christian Roeloffs, Co-founder and CEO, Container xChange 

Shanghai Container Availability index (CAx) indicates that the CAx is 0.58 in week 33 as compared to 0.52 in 2021, 0.32 in 2020 and 2019 (pre-pandemic). This could potentially mean that there are more containers in China with reduced prices, making it easier for shippers and freight forwarders to plan trips from China.  

“This is the peak shipping season, and the industry expects heavy outflow of containers from China to fulfil orders from demand centres. This year, we haven't witnessed two key trends that are a norm during this time in previous years – a rise in leasing rates and container prices in China and a decline in CAx values,” added Roeloffs. 

17% decline in one-way leasing pick-up rates of containers from China to the US from June to July.  

One-way leasing rates for standard containers, were in the range of $100-$300 before June 2021(see graph above). The rates picked up from July 2021 skyrocketing at $1470 in the month of July 2021 and peaking by September to reach $2792. The leasing rates then started to decline. This year in May, the leasing rates stood at $1277, plummeting to $1095 in June and further to $906 in the month of July.  

On the China to Germany stretch, these one-way pick-up rates for leasing containers plummeted from $3394 in January 2022, further to $2428 in April and now to $1995 in the month of July.  

China to Canada one-way leasing rates decline at the highest rate at 49 percent as compared to China to any other country 

The data shows a significant drop in the average per unit rates for 40HCs from China to Europe and North American countries. Canada is leading the fall with a 49.4% drop in the leasing rates between June and July. Right behind Canada is the US with a 32.5% drop in the average pick-up or PU (Pick Up) rates. For countries in Europe, the average one-way PU charges from China dropped by 16% in the UK, 13% in Germany, 18.4% in France, and 17.3% in Belgium.   

In Qingdao and Shanghai, CAx remained over 0.5, in July, and continued increasing. The continued high CAx scores align with the decreased container rental fees and indicate a comparatively slowed-down movement of boxes at these ports. Ningbo’s CAx scores were lower than 0.5 in July indicating that more containers are leaving the port. And, that there’s probably more demand for export containers than full imports at the port and a likely delays cargo acceptance. 

Average Trading prices in China halved year on year in August this year 

From around $5500 for a cargo-worthy standard container size in September 2021, and further declining from there to reach $3494 in May 2022, the current average trading price has plummeted to $2679 so far in August 2022. Last year in August, this average trading price was $5470. More than halved from last year same month.  

Download the full report here - https://www.container-xchange.com/reports/monthly-container-logistics-update/

About Container xChange  

Container xChange is a technology company that offers a container trading and leasing platform, payment infrastructure (for transparent and easier payment handling) and efficient operating systems to manage the end-to-end container movement across the globe for container logistic companies worldwide. Covering the entire transaction process of shipping containers starting with finding new partners to track containers and managing payments, xChange makes using 3rd party equipment as easy as booking a hotel. We are on a mission to simplify the logistics of global trade.     

Being one of the top ten logistics tech companies globally, xChange is fundamentally transforming thousands of processes involved in moving containers globally. xChange is trusted by more than 1000 container logistic companies such as Kuehne+Nagel, Seaco or Sarjak that use xChange every day to improve operational effectiveness and improve productivity.    

Rhenus Warehousing Solutions has signed an agreement to acquire the Danish company DKI Logistics A/S and its warehouse investment affiliate DKI Automatic A/S (both together "DKI"). The logistics provider specialises in complete warehousing and supply chain solutions with customised value-added services. With the acquisition, Rhenus Warehousing Solutions expands its presence in Europe to the Nordic countries.

Founded in 2001, DKI is now one of Denmark's leading third-party logistics providers with 350 employees. DKI has seven warehouse locations spread between the headquarters in the port city of Horsens and the cities of Herning and Køge. With more than 280,000 square metres of warehouse space, DKI offers various inbound, storage, order handling and transport services for the Danish market. Companies from the healthcare, FMCG, furniture, clothing, household appliances and DIY product sectors are among its customers.

To accommodate the continuous growth over the past years, DKI has constantly invested in automated technologies such as AGVs, robots, conveyor belts and shuttle systems. In general, the seven DKI warehouses are characterised by a high degree of automation in picking, packing and sorting. One new warehouse is currently being built and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022; another is planned for the coming year.

Andreas Plikat, General Manager Rhenus Warehousing Solutions, says: "Rhenus Warehousing Solutions and DKI both stand for high-quality and scalable customer solutions. In this respect, it was the logical step for us to shape our market entry into the Nordic countries together with DKI." In addition to geographically complementing the Rhenus Warehousing Solutions network in Europe, this acquisition strengthens the presence of the Rhenus Group in the FMCG and healthcare sectors. With DKI becoming part of the Rhenus Group, customers will benefit not only from the warehousing service but also from the wide range of services, including the global air and sea freight network and the extensive European land transport options. The acquisition of DKI is another step in the continuous growth of the Rhenus Group in Denmark: With locations in Copenhagen and Aarhus, the logistics specialist guarantees a reliable service in close proximity to its customers.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and closing is expected in Q4 2022.

For more information about DKI, visit https://dki-logistics.dk/.

Further information about the Rhenus group in Denmark can be found here: https://www.rhenus.group/dk/en/.

About Rhenus Warehousing Solutions

Rhenus is one of the pioneers in warehouse logistics and has an extensive global network with more than 155 business sites in 21 different countries and warehouse space measuring 3.5 million square metres. Rhenus Warehousing Solutions specialises in numerous industrial sectors so that its customers benefit from tailor-made warehousing solutions and fulfilment services. The company focuses on innovations, sustainability and continually optimising processes at its multi-user facilities and when providing dedicated and in-house solutions.

About Rhenus

The Rhenus Group is one of the leading logistics specialists with global business operations and annual turnover amounting to EUR 7.0 billion. 37,500 employees work at 970 business sites and develop innovative solutions along the complete supply chain. Whether providing transport, warehousing, customs clearance or value-added services, the family-owned business pools its operations in various business units where the needs of customers are the major focus at all times.

SortIE is the new intelligent and efficient put-to-wall sorting shuttle system that Addverb is launching on the market and is predicted to heighten robotic standards in warehouse logistics

Addverb Technologies, a global robotics company providing complete end-to-end warehouse automation solutions, announces the release of a new sorter robot called SortIE – a fast-moving scalable solution for rapid and efficient order fulfilment. As a fully automated robotic put-to-wall sorting system, SortIE is capable of performing SKU-wise intelligent sortation at very high speeds and at different height levels. Additionally, it enables easy and rapid picking. It can be easily integrated with existing conveying systems such as conveyors, robots, and manual transport with no impact on ongoing operations.

“We are excited for SortIE to reach the market because there is nothing like it,” says Pieter Feenstra, Addverb’s CEO of the EMEA region. "This robot increases productivity with up to 450 sorts per hour, meaning up to 250 orders fulfilled at any given time, and increases order cube utilisation by up to 20%. The entire sorting system is simple and fully automatic, which shortens the return on investment and requires no human intervention. We’re proud to have led the charge on a robot like this coming to the market.”

Founded in 2016, Addverb offers a unique logistics combination of fixed and mobile automation along with advanced enterprise software. Their expertise involves IoT, robotics, and warehousing consulting. Addverb has provided warehouse automation solutions to customers involved with fast-moving consumer goods such as Unilever, Flipkart, Amazon, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Dabur, and more.

SortIE has a speed of 3m per second to ensure quick turnaround cycles. Combined with a Zippy sorting solution, it can also increase the number of destinations on a smaller footprint. This system is ideal for industries like e-commerce, third-party logistics, fast-moving consumer goods, and retail for quick order sequencing and sortation, allowing for faster dispatch of large order quantities. For more information, visit Addverb Technologies’ website.