Linz Electric SpA has acquired a 60% stake in KWG. (Image source: Linz electric)

Linz Electric SpA has acquired a 60% stake in KW Generator GmbH (KWG), marking a significant milestone in their nearly two-decade-long partnership

The move brings together two respected European manufacturers and blends Italian innovation with German engineering to address evolving global energy challenges.

The two companies offer highly complementary alternator product lines, and this strategic alliance results in one of the world’s most complete portfolios for power generation.

Their combined capabilities span a wide range of applications, from traditional generator sets to solutions supporting the energy transition, including mobile refrigeration, earthmoving machinery, and other equipment requiring continuous, reliable and flexible power.

New opportunities

With energy reliability and system resilience gaining renewed global importance, the strengthened partnership allows Linz Electric and KWG to pool expertise, resources and vision to deliver tangible solutions worldwide.

KWG brings advanced technologies and long-standing relationships with OEMs in sectors such as material handling, heavy-duty equipment, and extreme operating environments.

Linz Electric, part of the Pedrollo Group, contributes a well-established international distribution network and a direct presence in the US, opening up fresh opportunities and customer segments for KWG.

The acquisition reinforces Linz Electric’s position as a key player in a rapidly changing energy landscape, where innovation and strategic collaboration are central to long-term growth and competitiveness.

This partnership also strengthens the Pedrollo Group’s energy business. With annual revenues of US$540mn (€500mn), the group is increasingly recognised not only in water management and applied technologies but also as an influential force in the energy transition.

Giulio Pedrollo, CEO of the Pedrollo Group and founder of Linz Electric, said, "After years of collaboration, I am excited about the opportunities this transaction offers: the partnership between Linz Electric and KWG is a clear example of how international cooperation between companies that share values, vision and expertise can generate new opportunities for growth and development. Together, we are ready to face the great challenges of global energy transformation. We will continue to invest with determination in innovation, quality and customer service, while keeping our production roots firmly anchored in our home territories. For us, this project represents a concrete testimony to the value of European manufacturing excellence, capable of competing and innovating on an international scale."

Michael Werner, CEO and shareholder of KWG, added, "With Linz as our majority partner, we are confident in our ability to address the competitive landscape and capitalize on new growth opportunities. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to providing superior products and services to our customers."

Michael Kurz, technical director of KWG, said, "This collaboration with Linz is a strategic move that will allow us to leverage their extensive distribution network and technical know-how. Together, we can achieve greater innovation and offer even better service to our customers globally."

Ivanhoe Mines announces record copper production and increased power at Kamoa-Kakula, DRC

Ivanhoe Mines announces record copper production at Kamoa-Kakula, DRC, and increased power supply

Ivanhoe Mines executive co-chairman Robert Friedland and president and CEO Marna Cloete have announced that the Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) achieved a combined monthly production record of 50,176 tonnes of copper in concentrate during April. The concentrators processed 1.35 million tonnes of ore with an average feed grade of 4.19% copper.

The newly ramped-up Phase 3 concentrator exceeded its design rate, achieving a recovery rate of 87.4% in April, surpassing its 86% target. Since mid-March, copper production has increased to an average of approximately 12,000 tonnes per week, which equates to an annualised production rate of roughly 625,000 tonnes, exceeding the midpoint of 2025 production guidance by about 12%.

Power boosts production

This outperformance was supported by initiatives in the first quarter that enabled the Phase 3 concentrator to be consistently fed at higher rates. In the first quarter, Phase 3 milled a record 1.51 million tonnes of ore, equivalent to an annualised milling rate of 6.1 million tonnes, more than 20% above its design capacity of 5 million tonnes per year.

The DRC operation reached a significant milestone in the first quarter, with a notable increase in imported hydroelectric power, which gave Kamoa-Kakula’s management the confidence to proceed with the final commissioning of the smelter. The start-up of the new on-site copper smelter is expected in the coming weeks.

During the first quarter, power demand for the Phase 1, 2, and 3 operations ranged from 130 MW to 140 MW. At the start of March, Kamoa-Kakula was drawing 50 MW from domestic hydropower and another 50 MW from imported sources. The remaining power was provided by on-site, diesel-generated backup power, with a capacity of around 160 MW. Power requirements for the smelter will increase gradually, from 45 MW during the first concentrate feed, to 70 MW once at full capacity.

In March, a power agreement was reached to increase imported hydroelectric power via the Zambia-DRC interconnector, resulting in an additional 20 MW, which increased to 70 MW by April. Combined with about 50 MW of domestic hydropower, Kamoa-Kakula now has around 150 MW of stable hydropower, enough to power the Phase 1, 2, and 3 operations. Further increases in grid power are expected throughout 2025 as the smelter ramps up. The extra power will be largely sourced from Mozambique via a wheeling agreement through the Southern Africa Power Pool network.

As previously announced, wet commissioning of Turbine #5 at Inga II, with a generation capacity of 178 MW, is expected to begin in the second half of 2025. Once commissioned, Kamoa-Kakula will receive an additional 71 MW of hydroelectric power, which will increase to 178 MW as grid improvement initiatives are completed in 2026.

Emerson's cutting-edge dust collector monitoring solution. (Image source: Emerson)

Emerson, a global leader in industrial automation, has introduced a sophisticated dust collector monitoring and control solution aimed at improving operational efficiency, cutting maintenance costs, and ensuring environmental compliance across multiple industries

By integrating proven mechanical and automation technologies, this intelligent system delivers real-time diagnostics and seamless compatibility with existing plant systems, enabling operators to optimise performance and prolong equipment life.

Industries including cement, mining, chemicals, food production, and power generation manage materials that generate substantial dust and particulate emissions. These airborne particles threaten worker safety, equipment reliability, and environmental standards, making effective dust collection systems essential.

Conventional dust collectors use filters that require periodic cleaning with compressed air and eventual replacement, which can lead to expensive maintenance and unexpected downtime if not properly monitored.

Emerson’s innovative solution addresses these issues through automation. By employing advanced algorithms and predictive diagnostics, it optimises filter cleaning, identifies faults early, and reduces energy consumption. Extending filter life by up to a year can save businesses as much as US$18,000, while avoiding downtime that may cost thousands per hour.

A robust automation suite

The solution combines a range of Emerson’s trusted products, such as ASCO™ pulse valves, AVENTICS™ air flow sensors, Rosemount™ pressure sensors, and PACSystems™ programmable logic controllers (PLCs). These components enable precise control of pulse valve operations and automated cleaning cycles across multiple filter lines.

Additional features include Movicon.NExT SCADA for remote monitoring, alerts, and reporting, and QuickPanel+ human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that provide real-time diagnostics and early fault detection. The system also incorporates ASCO P152 particle concentration sensors to detect low dust levels and filter issues, alongside differential pressure monitoring with optional 4-20 mA compatibility.

“With this world-class and easily implemented solution, we aim to help our end users achieve greater operational efficiencies and gain valuable insights that reduce reactive maintenance, lower the risk of downtime, minimise energy consumption, and extend equipment life while addressing the knowledge gap by providing easily accessed information for operations personnel,” said Samuele Oliva, product marketing manager for dust collectors and alternative energy with Emerson’s discrete automation business.

Delivering operator benefits

Emerson’s solution provides several key advantages. Optimised pulse valve usage extends the lifespan of valves and filter bags, reducing compressed air waste and safeguarding equipment. Predictive maintenance capabilities monitor compressed air, pressure, temperature, dust levels, and energy usage, allowing early intervention to prevent costly failures.

The system’s scalability, with licensing based on pulse valve count (up to 500), makes it adaptable to facilities of varying sizes. Its Floor-to-Cloud connectivity ensures seamless integration with existing automation systems, offering a comprehensive operational overview and supporting compliance with environmental regulations.

In addition to cost savings, the solution advances sustainability by lowering energy and compressed air consumption. Smart filter cleaning reduces waste, while early detection of failed filters helps avoid regulatory penalties. These features align with increasing industry demands for environmentally responsible practices.

Schneider Electric South Africa introduces TeSys Deca Advanced to improve motor efficiency and industrial reliability. (Image source: Schneider Electric)

Schneider Electric South Africa has introduced the TeSys Deca Advanced, a next-generation contactor designed to elevate motor management through increased efficiency, reliability, simplicity, and sustainability

As a key player in digital transformation for energy management and automation, Schneider Electric’s latest innovation addresses evolving industrial needs with cutting-edge technology.

A standout feature of the TeSys Deca Advanced is its wide-band coil technology, capable of handling input voltages from 24V to 500V AC/DC. This allows the contactor to adapt seamlessly to voltage fluctuations while reducing energy consumption, resulting in lower CO₂ emissions and cost savings.

According to Thapelo Manthata, Offer Manager Power Products (PPCTR) at Schneider Electric South Africa, the solution is tailored for a wide array of industrial uses. “By combining digital capabilities, reduced energy consumption and more simplified installation, the unit is engineered to help optimise motor management while supporting sustainability and operational resilience.”

“The ideal applications for the TeSys Deca Advanced are robust, high industrial environments. As a contractor, it can be used for hoisting, pumps, HVAC systems, elevators and packaging applications. Additionally, it is suitable for mining and wastewater environments, among others,” says Manthata.

Engineered with ease-of-use in mind, the contactor features a user-friendly three-layer structure that improves wiring visibility and access. This streamlines setup and maintenance, reducing the need for highly specialised installation skills.

“So, it was designed for diverse industrial applications and simplifies installation and maintenance processes. Its ergonomic three-layer setup organises wiring for optimal visibility and accessibility, streamlining operations and minimising the need for specialised skills in the workforce,” added 

The TeSys Deca Advanced also incorporates one-click connection technology that cuts installation time by up to 75%, making it ideal for time-sensitive deployments. It supports direct PLC control, reducing both complexity and the need for extensive inventory by 80%.

Reliability meets predictive maintenance

“TeSys Deca Advanced is built for reliability, having gone through comprehensive testing to guarantee peak performance. It supports predictive maintenance by offering real-time diagnostics, allowing users to foresee and address potential problems before they cause any downtime,” concluded Manthata.

By focusing on key industries such as manufacturing, HVAC, and broader industrial operations, Schneider Electric ensures that the TeSys Deca Advanced contributes to greater uptime and streamlined performance.

“The TeSys Deca Advanced unit is designed to improve operational efficiency in various sectors, including manufacturing, HVAC, and industrial facilities. By integrating advanced technology with a strong emphasis on sustainability, we remain committed to maximising uptime and providing exceptional value.”