How measurement technology is advancing sustainability in the chemical industry

The chemical industry is under increasing pressure to focus on sustainability. Companies now have to utilise their resources more efficiently, to reduce CO₂ emissions and remain competitive at the same time. Measurement technology plays a crucial role in this.

State-of-the-art sensors monitor processes in real time, provide accurate data on levels, pressures, temperatures and flow rates and thus create the basis for sustainable process optimisation. With level and pressure sensors from VEGA, companies can reduce their consumption of raw materials, minimise waste and pave the way for a circular economy.

VEGA sensors also make a difference in the storage of raw materials. They help to manage inventory levels, avoid material overflow and reduce losses.

Practical examples of resource conservation

• Pharmaceutical industry: Synthesis processes require maximum precision in order to produce high-purity active ingredients and avoid waste. VEGA sensors monitor these processes and ensure quality.
• Plastics production: Here, sensors ensure that mixing ratios are accurately maintained, thereby avoiding faulty production and thus material waste.

All in all, VEGA sensors promote an increase in efficiency, which generates both economic and ecological benefits.

Hydrogen: Precision and reliability for the energy transition
The use of hydrogen is central to the decarbonisation of the chemical industry and the energy transition. The special properties of hydrogen – such as low density and extreme pressures and temperatures – place high demands on measurement technology.

VEGA sensors, for example radar level transmitters, monitor hydrogen tanks that are operated under high pressure or at temperatures as low as -253 °C. They enable precise control of quantities in storage and are not affected by pressure and temperature fluctuations. Pressure sensors that can measure up to 1000 bar play a central role in the safe handling of compressed or liquefied hydrogen.

VEGA sensors also make an important contribution in electrolysis, the key technology for producing green hydrogen. They monitor critical parameters like pressure and temperature, thus enabling efficient and stable production.

CCS: CO₂ capture for a climate-friendly future
CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) is indispensable for reducing emissions in the chemical industry. VEGA sensors ensure that these processes run safely and efficiently.

• Capture: VEGA sensors monitor the conditions in the facilities that capture CO₂ from exhaust gases and ensure maximum efficiency with their accuracy and reproducibility.
• Transport: When liquefied CO₂ is transported in pipelines, the sensors continuously measure the pressure to detect leaks.
• Storage: When CO₂ is stored in underground caverns or rock formations, the sensors ensure that the greenhouse gas remains safely contained.

In recycling plants, for example, they facilitate the precise separation of plastics, metals and glass. Level measurement ensures that the material quantities in the processing systems are optimally controlled. In chemical recycling, where plastics are broken down into their basic chemical components, VEGA sensors monitor the conditions so that the processes run efficiently and conserve resources.

Digitalisation in the closed-loop economy
A key aspect of VEGA technology is digitalisation. With the myVEGA portal technicians can analyse measurement data in real time and thus optimise their processes. At the same time, digital integration enables predictive maintenance, which avoids unnecessary downtime and loss of resources.

Digitalisation makes it possible to make material cycles more efficient and transparent. Without reliable data, the circular economy remains a mere vision – with VEGA, it becomes a reality.

VEGA sensors are the key to a resource-efficient and climate-friendly chemical industry. They enable precise control of processes, reduce waste and create the basis for future technologies such as hydrogen power and CCS. At the same time, they make an important contribution to the closed-loop economy by optimising recycling processes and driving forward digitalisation.

VEGA is setting standards in Industry 4.0 with durable, sustainable and digitally networked products. Today, sustainability in the chemical industry is not just a goal but a measurable reality.