FPT, a brand of Iveco Group N.V., and its distributors Bimotor and Avoni Industrial, joined Green Power Systems to power one of Algeria’s largest agro-industrial projects

The new facility is set to transform powdered milk production in the North African country.

The project, worth US$3.5bn and cofounded by the Algerian National Investment Fund and Qatari dairy producer Baladna Q.P.S.C., involves the construction of one of the world’s largest integrated dairy farm and powdered milk facility, spanning 117,000 hectares of agricultural land, and designed to support 270,000 dairy cows.

Located in Algeria’s Adrar province, the agro-industrial facility is scheduled to start production in late 2027.

Once fully operational, it expected to produce up to 100,000 tonnes of powdered milk per year, meeting about 50% of Algeria’s needs.

The gensets provided by Green Power Systems and powered by FPT engines will play a key role in feeding the dairy cows and a huge non-stop irrigation project — a challenging assignment with temperatures often exceeding 40° C for over 130 days a year.

In total, Green Power Systems delivered 50 GP330 S/I-A generator sets powered by FPT CURSOR 13 engines, providing up to 330 kVA, suitable for round-the-clock operation of irrigation systems in extreme conditions.

The FPT-powered Green Power Systems will support central pivot irrigation systems, a crop irrigation method in which the equipment rotates around a central pivot and crops are irrigated using sprinklers, thus creating circular irrigated area centred on the pivot.

Less labour-intensive and more water-efficient, this irrigation method is particularly effective in large plots of arid land and can rapidly transform them into agriculturally productive zones.

“Being part of a such a large-scale project, meant to improve Algeria’s food security and to create about 5,000 local jobs, is both a great honour and a great responsibility,” said Vittorio Bertalli, head of sales EMEA at FPT.

“But we are confident that our CURSOR 13 engines, together with hi-tech Green Power Systems products, will once again live up to the most demanding expectations.”

The CURSOR 13 is designed to deliver robust performance and optimised fuel efficiency for power generation applications, ranging from unregulated to Stage V / Tier 4 Final emissions standards.

Engineered with an electronically controlled unit injector, it ensures precise power delivery, rapid load response, and consistent fuel optimisation under all operational conditions.

The G-Drive configuration provides a ready-to-integrate solution, while highly regulated versions incorporate an ATS pack with patented Hi-eSCR2 technology, enabling advanced emissions reduction without compromising performance.

The engine offers 50/60 Hz frequency switching capability, facilitating inventory management for customers and is designed to maximise uptime and minimise maintenance requirements.

“Green Power Systems’ participation in this project further confirms its role as a reliable international partner in the supply of power generation solutions for large-scale agro-industrial and infrastructure applications,” said Flavio Faggiolini, export area manager for Green Power Systems.

“In projects of this magnitude, power continuity is essential to ensure the proper functioning of the entire infrastructure. The collaboration with FPT Industrial contributed to delivering a solution aligned with the reliability requirements of the operational context.”

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HD Construction Equipment is accelerating its expansion across the Middle East and Africa by introducing a new 20-ton class DEVELON excavator tailored for emerging market requirements

Developed at its Indian production facility, the machine combines competitive pricing with enhanced performance and durability, enabling the company to address evolving customer demands while strengthening its position in highly competitive markets.

HD Construction Equipment recently hosted a launch event for the new excavator at its production subsidiary in Pune, India, with participation from major dealers representing key Middle Eastern markets, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Oman.

The newly unveiled 20-ton class excavator has been developed to meet the requirements of emerging markets, where this equipment category remains a major segment of demand. Designed with price-sensitive customers in mind, the model delivers cost competitiveness through an efficient production approach and economies of scale achieved at the company’s Indian manufacturing facility.

While focusing on affordability, HD Construction Equipment has also enhanced the machine’s functionality and durability to ensure reliable operation in local working environments. The company expects the new excavator to compete with cost-focused solutions being introduced by global construction equipment manufacturers seeking to expand their presence in emerging economies.

During the launch event, HD Construction Equipment demonstrated the capabilities of the new model while showcasing the production strength and quality standards of its Indian plant to Middle Eastern dealers. The facility has recently expanded its annual production capacity to 9,000 units to support increasing demand from international markets.

The Indian plant currently manufactures Hyundai-branded equipment and has also begun producing DEVELON machines as part of HD Construction Equipment’s strategy to strengthen its global manufacturing network. The company aims to establish an annual production capacity of 12,000 units at the facility by 2030, further positioning India as a key export hub.

According to UK-based construction equipment research firm Off-Highway Research, the excavator market across the Middle East and Africa is expected to maintain steady growth, reaching approximately 23,000 units by 2030. This projected expansion presents new opportunities for manufacturers offering equipment suited to regional operating conditions and customer requirements.

A representative from HD Construction Equipment stated, "The 20-ton class DEVELON excavator will compete not only on simple cost-effectiveness but as a 'value-for-money' product, based on core performance optimised for the field, robust quality, and differentiated services. Using our Indian plant—which has grown into a global export hub—as a base, we will expand our sales channels in fiercely competitive emerging markets."

Implementing Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) in underground mining environments involves far more than installing sensors on equipment. The effectiveness of these systems depends on a combination of factors, including restricted working spaces, diverse equipment fleets, communication limitations and human behaviour

Booyco Electronics is addressing these complexities by focusing on system integration, data collection and the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI).

One of the key challenges facing underground mines is ensuring seamless integration between PDS solutions and equipment from multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as third-party interface providers. Although the ISO 21815 standard provides guidance on system interactions, real-world implementation can vary significantly.

Anton Lourens, CEO of Booyco Electronics, explained, “Some of the challenges we see are integration with OEMs as well as third-party interface suppliers. Even though there is a standard which guides how we need to interact, there still seems to be a difference of interpretation of the standard.”

This means that introducing a new vehicle type or equipment model can often require a new integration process. According to Lourens, each new machine configuration presents its own technical considerations.

“Every time a customer buys a new machine type or opts for a different OEM, that first time integration of PDS can be challenging,” Lourens pointed out.

The process can become even more demanding when customers inform Booyco Electronics late in the procurement cycle that newly purchased equipment requires immediate PDS installation. To address this, the company is expanding its library of OEM integrations while encouraging customers to engage earlier during equipment selection and procurement stages.

Turning mining data into actionable insights

For Booyco Electronics, PDS technology serves not only as a safety mechanism but also as a valuable data platform. Every interaction, near miss and system activation generates information that can support improved training, risk management and operational decision-making.

This data-driven approach also extends to analysing equipment performance and identifying potential risk areas within mine environments.

“From data analysis, you can see which vehicles have been involved in more interactions versus people, so you can identify higher potential risk assets,” stated Lourens.

By expanding location-based infrastructure and mapping underground activity, Booyco Electronics enables mines to identify areas with increased risk exposure. These insights can help operators introduce additional engineering measures or improve procedures where required.

AI supports, but does not replace, human expertise

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly influential across industries, Booyco Electronics is taking a measured approach to its implementation within PDS solutions. Lourens emphasises that AI should be viewed as an enhancement tool rather than a replacement for human expertise and engineering principles.

“There are misinterpretations or misperception in terms of AI and what it can or can't do. Probably most known for deployment around AI cameras, the technology has evolved significantly with far more powerful capabilities in running algorithms, simulations, predicting behaviour through machine learning and ultimately the ability to process high volume of data in a very short space of time; ultimately still requiring human review and oversight. In addition, specific AI models are being developed or implemented for a specific problem statement, rather than a general AI assistant,” commented Lourens.

Within the PDS environment, AI can improve the speed and accuracy of data processing, strengthen pattern recognition, support behaviour prediction and convert large volumes of operational data into meaningful insights.

However, Lourens stresses that AI cannot replace the engineering foundations required for effective safety solutions.

“AI now is evolving rapidly, and becoming more important as it helps and assists in development and improvement but, honestly, I don't believe that today AI models can replace human responsibility in technology development. It is another tool to improve the product,” he explained.

Booyco Electronics views PDS and AI-enabled analytics as part of a broader, layered safety strategy. This approach combines engineering controls, risk assessments, operational optimisation and workforce training to create stronger safety outcomes.

By integrating reliable system connectivity, advanced data acquisition capabilities and a practical approach to AI adoption, Booyco Electronics is helping mining operations overcome the challenges of underground PDS implementation and move closer towards achieving the goal of Zero Harm.

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced the successful transit of the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, a giant French container ship and one of the world’s largest LNG-powered vessels, during its maiden passage through the Canal

The vessel travelled as part of the southern convoy while operating a route from Singapore to France.

Owned by French shipping company CMA CGM, the vessel measures 399.9 metres in length, has a 61.3-metre beam, a 16.5-metre draft, weighs 245,000 tonnes, and can accommodate 24,212 TEUs.

Powered by LNG and equipped with advanced AI technology, CMA CGM NOTRE DAME is considered France’s most technologically advanced vessel. The ship is designed for long-distance voyages and operates under the FAL3 maritime service connecting the Far East and North-West Europe.

SCA Chairman and Managing Director Adm. Ossama Rabiee directed teams to ensure the vessel’s safe passage through the deployment of senior pilots and escort tugboats. Following SCA protocol, senior pilots welcomed the crew and presented a commemorative gift to the shipmaster.

Adm. Rabiee highlighted the Canal’s readiness to handle the world’s largest container vessels, citing its strategic importance in protecting global supply chains and delivering economic efficiencies. He added that the SCA continues to enhance maritime services and introduce new navigation solutions to meet client requirements and maintain the highest safety standards for mega vessels.

Standard Chartered and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have announced a new risk sharing facility aimed at strengthening supply chains across Africa

The partnership will introduce supply chain finance solutions in eight markets – Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia – supporting companies in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing.

The facility aims to help ensure suppliers get faster payments, freeing up working capital to improve production, pay wages and hire.

The risk-sharing facility will cover up to US$300mn in supply chain and trade finance assets originated by Standard Chartered in Africa.

It comprises a range of underlying supply chain financing instruments – such as payables finance, receivables discounting and pre-shipment finance programmes – to help smaller firms get paid earlier, reduce the cost of working capital, and invest in growth.

“This US$300mn facility with IFC underscores our shared commitment to strengthening Africa's supply chains and enabling sustainable business growth,” said Dalu Ajene, chief executive and head of coverage, Standard Chartered Africa.

“As a super-connector bank with deep expertise across key trade corridors linking Africa to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, we are uniquely positioned to channel capital and innovation into the real economy. By expanding access to supply chain finance, we are helping African companies unlock liquidity, manage risk, and invest with confidence.”

Ajene said the collaboration unites Standard Chartered’s cross-border expertise with IFC’s development mandate to empower businesses – from major corporations to smaller local suppliers – “to engage more actively in regional and global trade, fostering job creation and promoting inclusive growth.”

IFC will provide guarantees for up to US$150mn from its own account, with US$100mn committed as the first tranche under the scheme, to support transactions in both US dollars and selected local currencies.

Over the next three years, the partnership is projected to enable about US$1.9bn in supply chain finance transactions, providing access to finance for firms across Africa.

It aims to support more than 500 suppliers, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in both domestic and global value chains, with the potential to indirectly benefit over 1 million farmers.

“Supply chain finance is among the fastest ways to narrow the growing finance gap that businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, are facing in emerging economies,” said Mohamed Gouled, IFC’s vice president, products & clients.

“By partnering with Standard Chartered to support companies at the center of strategic value chains, we can unlock much-needed working capital at scale for businesses across Africa, including smaller firms and farmers, making supply chains more competitive and boosting job creation.”

According to IFC, global demand for supply chain finance has surged – in 2025, the estimated volume reached about US$2.7trn, showing an 8% increase year-on-year.

Yet supply chain finance has not scaled at the same pace in emerging markets, it says, especially in lower income and fragile contexts, largely because commercial banks tend to focus on developed markets.

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Innovative technology for ‘shrinking’ catalytic converters - designed and built in South Africa by Jendamark Automation for the global market - relies on the precision of SEW-EURODRIVE’s highly dynamic servo-geared units and software

Based in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, Jendamark Automation is a specialist in advanced automated assembly systems for powertrains, catalytic converters, hydrogen technologies and other automotive components. Yanesh Naidoo, executive innovations director at Jendamark Automation, says that 95% of the locally produced machines are exported and are in operation in Europe, India and the USA.

"The shrinking machine - or ‘shrinker’ - is a core component within our catalytic converter assembly cell," commented Naidoo.

“This cell is a highly automated production environment in which multiple machines, robots and laser measurement systems operate in coordination.”

The process begins with the core of a catalytic converter - a ceramic ‘brick’ or monolith, coated with precious metals such as platinum and palladium, that converts exhaust gases into less harmful emissions. This brick is wrapped in a thick spring-like insulation mat and inserted into an outer casing (or can) of stainless-steel. In this process, there are many variable factors to consider, he explains.

“Because the ceramic monolith is extruded and baked, its diameter can vary slightly - by two or three millimetres in a passenger vehicle converter and up to ten millimetres in a truck converter,” he said.

“This makes the size of every monolith slightly different.”

To secure the monolith inside the casing with the right spring load, the casing itself has to be adapted. This is the key function of the shrinking machine - to reshape the stainless steel casing to the exact diameter required for each brick and mat combination. Shrinking stainless steel to tolerances of 50 microns requires enormous force and control which the shrinker achieves by closing a set of heavy tapered segments around the can.

“For a passenger vehicle converter we use twelve segments, while for a commercial vehicle converter - which is larger - we use sixteen,” stated Naidoo. “We pull a massive steel ring back over those segments and as the ring moves the segments close in, collapsing the can evenly around the monolith.”

Driving that motion are two powerful SEW-EURODRIVE servo motor systems, each connected to precision roller screws that pull the ring from both sides. Synchronizing those drives is critical.

“If one side is pulled just a few millimetres more than the other, this will damage these very expensive roller screws,” he explains. “This is where SEW-EURODRIVE’s technology comes into its own; the drives and controllers keep the two motors synchronised to within very fine tolerances, even at the high speeds we need to hit our 30 second cycle times.”

The speed at which Jendamark Automation’s shrinker operates is one of its critical advantages, Naidoo emphasises, and this has been achieved through its innovative tool changer. He explains flexibility is particularly important in converter production for commercial-vehicles as variants change every few hours. Traditionally, each change required a lengthy manual tool change which would mean two to three hours of downtime.

“This is why we developed an automatic tool change system for the shrinker,” he says. “We have got two cartridges outside the machine, one of which is preloaded with the next set of 16 segments. When the operator hits ‘tool change’ the machine ejects the old set, inserts the new one and locks everything down - all automatically in about 45 seconds.”

That innovation, also powered by SEW-EURODRIVE servo drives, has transformed productivity.

“We have reduced tool changing times significantly, giving our customers more production time per shift, allowing them to produce around 80 additional parts,” he says. “With two or three tool changes a day, the gains are massive.”

The entire catalytic converter assembly cell can contain up to 30 SEW-EURODRIVE servo drives, powering and synchronising multiple machines – from laser measuring systems to robotic handlers. Behind the scenes, Jendamark’s proprietary Variant Manager software orchestrates these movements.

“Every part coming down the line is slightly different, so every 30 seconds a new set of parameters - such as diameters, spring loads and positions - is sent to the drives,” Naidoo continued. “There are no fixed positions so it is completely dynamic, adapting in real time.”

Parallel to this performance, he adds, is an equivalent focus on reliability as customers require minimal downtime to ensure that their processes and products remain viable. He notes that a USA customer, Cummins (through its acquisition of Faurecia’s USA factory), has been running Jendamark’s shrinker for almost six years - during which time it has produced over three million catalytic converters.

“Apart from greasing the screws, there has been no major maintenance and no drive failures at all,” he stated. “That is a testament to the robustness of our overall design and of the reliability of SEW-EURODRIVE equipment.”

The customer was so impressed that it decided to standardise globally on Jendamark’s machines.

“They had two other suppliers’ machines next to ours on the same line,” commented Naidoo. “Now they’re replacing those with Jendamark machines, because of reliability and consistency of quality.”

Phillip Steyn, Branch Manager at SEW-EURODRIVE in Gqeberha, says the project exemplifies how advanced motion control systems enable complex automation.

“Our MOVIAXIS multi-axis servo system, combined with our efficient servo motors and dynamic gearboxes, provides the accurate positioning and torque that this machine needs,” remarked Steyn. “The challenge was to deliver very high torque while maintaining precise synchronisation and feedback at rapid speeds.”

He notes that it is easier to be accurate when machinery is moving slowly but it becomes much more challenging in the context of high speed machines like this one. SEW-EURODRIVE’s control architecture ensures that every motion - from the synchronised pulling of the ring to the positioning of the auto-tool change mechanism - is tracked and verified before the next cycle begins.

“There is a great deal of feedback between the drive and the upper level controller,” Steyn explained. “The system scans the input data - the product types and can sizes - and adjusts torque and position in real time. It is the brain and the muscle working together.”

Naidoo highlights the value of SEW-EURODRIVE’ integrated unit - the motor, gearbox and drive - which is already matched for torque and speed.