Industry Optimized

Digitalization is transforming the shipping industry - but its true power lies in supporting human expertise. Technology helps crews when navigating routes - it enables them to make smarter, safer, and more effective decisions. But how can digital tools empower human talent without overshadowing it?  In this episode of Industry Optimized, host Fran Scott sits down with Jesper Lögdström, CEO of Oversea Fleet Support, to explore real-world examples where digital platforms and expert insight work hand-in-hand in the maritime industry.   Discover how shore-based experts and vessel crews collaborate, act on data, and drive safer, more efficient shipping - proving that technology is at its best when it supports human judgment, not substitutes it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What will the world’s most essential industries look like tomorrow? From energy and water to materials and transportation, how can technology help industries outrun – leaner and cleaner?   Join scientist and host Fran Scott as she speaks with leading industry experts to uncover how automation, electrification and digitalization enable some of the largest and most complex industrial operations on the planet – and asks what will  future of industry really look like?  Listen or watch Industry Optimized; a podcast from ABB’s Automation business area, from Wednesday March the 11th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ocean is unpredictable, but smarter digital routing is transforming how ships navigate it to ensure safety of passengers, crew and cargo.  From real-time weather insights to automated voyage  optimization, routing services are evolving to help vessels save fuel, reduce emissions, and improve safety at sea. And as progress accelerates, we’re asking the big question: What technologies will shape the future of ocean routing?  In this season’s finale, Michael Greavette and Mark Streuper from ABB’s Routing Solutions and Services in Marine & Ports division join Fran to explore how data and automation are reshaping navigation today, and what’s coming next.  Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode.  If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise. Link here  or  at   The Process Automation Podcast — ABB GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiber is no longer just about paper. Across industries, wood and cellulose are being transformed into advanced biomaterials, sustainable textiles, and renewable energy sources. These innovations are reshaping how we think about circular production, reducing fossil dependency, and unlocking new business opportunities. In this bonus episode we are asking Stefan Thorburn, Senior Principal Scientist at ABB Corporate Research, how is this shift happening and what role is technology playing in enabling it? Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode. If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise. Link here or The Process Automation Podcast — ABB GroupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shipping is one of the world’s oldest industries, moving 80% of global trade and linking millions of people. But while seafarers’ mission hasn’t changed, the way ships are run has.  Digitalization is reshaping maritime operations: smarter logistics, predictive maintenance, real-time tracking, and energy management. Modern ships are now “systems of systems,” where navigation, propulsion, and communications must work seamlessly together.  In this bonus episode, we talk with Osku Kälkäjä, Division Digital Lead at ABB’s Marine & Ports division, about how life at sea has shifted from analog traditions to the realities of the digital era.  Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode.  If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise. Link here: https://forms.abb.com/form-79084/process-automation-podcast-form or The Process Automation Podcast — ABB Group See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In industries where extreme temperatures, hazardous chemicals, and high-pressure environments are the norm, specialized instrumentation technologies are making a massive difference.  From compact sensors monitoring temperature in chemical reactors, to advanced instrumentation systems that minimize water loss in pipelines, these technologies are driving huge gains in safety, efficiency and sustainability.  In this episode, we shine a light on these small but mighty technologies that keep the world’s toughest industrial environments running.   To uncover the story behind these ‘hidden heroes’, we’re joined by Shanthala Kamath, R&D Corporate Executive Engineer at ABB Measurement and Analytics. She takes us inside the world of R&D (Research & Development) to explore how these innovations are created, tested, and what they could mean for the future of smart instrumentation.  Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode.  If you want to get involved and join us as an expert, follow the link to ABB’s website where you can let us know your domain of expertise: The Process Automation Podcast — ABB Group  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology advancements have driven transformative evolution for industrial automation, but the benefits of modernization must be weighed against the cost of interruption to plant operations.  In this bonus episode, host Fran Scott is joined by Christopher Leinen, Chief Technology Officer at PLT Networks, to explore how industrial facilities can strike the balance between innovation and continuity.   Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode, we revisit the future of metals through the lens of experience. Frederik Esterhuizen, Business Line Manager at ABB, reflects on his 30-year journey in the metals sector: from the biggest shifts he’s witnessed in the industry to what 'future-proofing' really means today. He also shares his advice for the next generation entering the metals world. Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, so you never miss an episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of industrial automation begins with the Industrial Revolution, when machines first replaced human muscle, and extends to today’s advanced systems that operate some of the most complex industrial infrastructures on the planet.   In today’s bonus episode, we explore that evolution through the eyes of the control room operator – tracing their journey from hands-on manual control to high-level system optimization.   Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President of Process Automation Technology at ABB, joins host Fran Scott on the podcast to delve into automation’s engineering and innovating milestones.   Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts, so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology plays a key role in accelerating the energy transition. Yet, the true driving force is people: without human courage, curiosity, and care, innovations would remain idle theory. Across industry sectors, people aren’t just adapting to change – they are leading it, pushing boundaries to create a better future. So, how can industry attract, develop, and retain the next generation of engineers and innovators to accelerate the future of the energy transition? And how can they balance this with the need to upskill and support current employees as they adapt to the demands of the digital age? To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by: Margareta Drzeniek, Managing Partner at HORIZON GroupApril Whitson, Global Head of HR at ABB Process IndustriesKim Sunna, Production Manager at LKAB Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has an important role to play in the energy transition – especially in helping decarbonize traditional energy and industrial infrastructure.  CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and then transporting these, either by ship or pipeline, to be stored underground. But how can this technology help address industrial emissions at scale? And can innovations such as digital twins help advance the CCS technology?   To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by: - Dr Colin Hale, Senior Teaching Fellow in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London  - Nigel Greatorex, Global Industry Business Manager of CCS at ABB Energy Industries - Anjani Kumar, Vice President of CoFlow and Professional Services at CMG  Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.  Get in touch here if there’s a topic you want The Process Automation Podcast to explore in our next season. Or perhaps you want to join us as an expert? Get in touch!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many industrial facilities like mines, wind farms or marine vessels are often located in remote areas. Operating far from other infrastructure has its challenges, such as dealing with harsh weather conditions and ensuring that a qualified workforce is available at the right spot and time. Remote, however, doesn’t always mean far away: crane operators at container terminals can work from a control room rather than high up in a crane, and in mines, blasting can be managed from a safe distance. How can automation and digital technologies help address challenges in industrial sites that are hard to reach? And how can technology enhance safety and even open up opportunities for a more diverse workforce? To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by: Mårten Sjöström, Professor of Signal Processing at Mid Sweden University Sanjit Shewale, Global Head of Digital at ABB Process Industries Johannes Sikström, Section Manager Process Control and Analysis at Boliden Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green hydrogen has an important role to play in the global effort to achieve decarbonization goals. Produced using renewable energy, it offers the potential to help many industries move towards more sustainable operations. However, there are also challenges to overcome, including bringing down the costs of production as well as further developing the necessary infrastructure. In this episode, we will explore the question: Scaling up green hydrogen – what will it take? To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by: - Alicia Eastman, Co-founder and Board Director of InterContinental Energy - Ralph Burgener, Global Product Line Manager of High Power Rectifiers at ABB Process Industries - Sundus Cordelia Ramli, CCO of Power-to-X at Topsoe Follow The Process Automation Podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.