NEWS B BOILER RANGE EXPANDED
abcock Wanson UK has announced the extension of its product portfolio to encompass large high pressure firetube boilers up to 50barg and output to 70t/h and watertube boilers up to 90barg and 150t/h,
along with heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). This is said to make it the only company in the UK capable of providing the complete spectrum of industrial boiler solutions – from compact coil type steam generators through to large, high output watertube systems.
The addition of large-scale boiler systems designed for the most demanding industrial applications has been brought about through the integration of German company VKK Standardkessel into the Babcock Wanson Group. The full VKK range is now available through Babcock Wanson UK, supported by its local service and engineering expertise. By offering VKK Standardkessel boilers in the UK, Babcock Wanson UK brings together advanced German engineering with its own proven capability for total system design, local project management, and after-sales service. Customers benefit not only from tailor-made, high-capacity boiler technology but also from Babcock Wanson UK’s on-the-ground expertise in installation, commissioning, UK regulatory compliance and maintenance. The VKK product portfolio covers a wide range of industrial energy needs. It includes single and double flame watertube boilers, hot water boilers, high-pressure steam generators with or without superheaters, and HRSGs for combined heat and power applications. The Condor range combines watertube and firetube technology to deliver high pressure, low emissions and superheated steam from a compact, highly efficient design. Capacities range from 2 to 70 tonnes of steam per hour, with operating pressures up to 38 bar and steam temperatures up to 450°C, while hot water boilers can be supplied up to 50 MW and 30 bar.
The Condor range is also available for electrical and hybrid operation, enabling industries to prepare for the energy transition and make use of surplus renewable electricity. Hybrid Condor boilers incorporate flanged electric heaters alongside traditional combustion to reduce CO2 emissions, operate flexibly according to fuel pricing, and provide additional standby capacity.
VKK HRSGs provide an effective solution for utilising waste heat from gas turbines, CHP plants and industrial processes, ensuring both improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. u
www.babcock-wanson.com
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COMBINATION VALVE AVAILABLE IN TWO VERSIONS
lbion Valves (UK) has launched the EasyFlow and EasyFlow Pro, a new-to-the-market combination valve assembly designed for use in multi-occupancy buildings, available in two configurations.
Both configurations are manufactured from bronze for increased corrosion resistance to both dezincification and stress corrosion cracking, and overall product durability.
The EasyFlow valve assembly combines an isolation valve (approved as a stop valve under the Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS)), a pressure reducing valve (PRV), in-line pressure gauges for upstream and downstream pressure measurement, a built-in Double Check valve (complies with water regulations and BS EN 13959), and a Class D water meter connection point. The EasyFlow Pro comprises the same part make-up as the EasyFlow, but has an additional isolation ball valve with an integral drain. Both the EasyFlow and EasyFlow Pro models are supplied with a bespoke, moulded insulation jacket as standard, which complies with BS EN 13501-1. Both versions also come complete with an adaptor, meaning the unit is suitable for 3/4” and 1” requirements.
This new range aims to simplify specification, speed up installation, and make ongoing maintenance easier. u
www.albionvalvesuk.com
MANUFACTURERS SHIFT FROM ADOPTION TO EXECUTION
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ockwell Automation has announced the UK findings of its 11th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report. The new global report shows the United Kingdom entering a more disciplined phase of digital transformation, where success is defined by execution, resilience and workforce capability rather than technology adoption alone The study, based on feedback from more than 1,500 manufacturing leaders globally, highlights a clear shift in how UK manufacturers are approaching digital transformation. With 87% of organisations now recognising it as essential and allocating an average of 27% of operating budgets to industrial technology, the UK has moved beyond early-stage adoption and into a phase where digital investment must translate into operational performance. “UK manufacturers are moving beyond experimentation into a phase where digital technologies must deliver consistent operational outcomes,” said Phil Hadfield, UK managing director, Rockwell Automation. “The challenge is no longer access to technology, but the ability to embed it into production environments in a way that improves performance, resilience and competitiveness.”
Artificial intelligence sits at the centre of this transition. Nearly half of manufacturers have already invested in AI, and adoption of generative AI is now widespread. The focus, however, is shifting away from experimentation toward practical use cases that deliver measurable value. Cybersecurity has emerged as the leading AI application, followed closely by quality control and process optimisation, reflecting a growing emphasis on protecting and stabilising increasingly complex production environments. This growing reliance on connected technologies is also
reshaping risk. Half of UK manufacturers report experiencing at least one cyberattack in the past year, despite strong levels of investment in cybersecurity. The implication is clear: as digital maturity increases, so too does exposure. Cybersecurity is no longer a supporting function, but a central pillar of industrial strategy. At the same time, workforce dynamics are becoming a defining factor in how quickly digital transformation can progress. Rising labour costs now affect 40% of manufacturers, while change management challenges have increased significantly year-on-year. Rather than reducing headcount, organisations are focusing on re-skilling and workforce development, with more than a third of employees now engaged in training programmes designed to support digital roles.
This shift is closely linked to the growing importance of AI capability. A clear majority of manufacturers now see AI skills as critical to attracting the next generation of talent, highlighting a structural change in how industrial workforces are being shaped. u
www.rockwellautomation.com/en-gb
MAY 2026 | PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING 5
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