At the forefront of technology and process optimization, SOPAT stands out as a leader in inline particle measurement. Their cutting-edge solutions have revolutionized how industries monitor and control particulate processes. This interview with Dr. Mirco Wegener, Head of Sales and Marketing, covers some of the innovative market approaches of SOPAT.
Can you give us an overview of what SOPAT does and the industries you serve?
SOPAT specializes in providing advanced inline particle measurement technology. Our solutions enable real-time monitoring and analysis of particles within industrial processes. This technology is crucial for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverages, and cosmetics, where precise particle size and distribution are critical to product quality and process efficiency.
What makes SOPAT’s technology unique compared to other solutions on the market?
Our technology stands out due to its ability to provide real-time, inline measurement of particle size and distribution. Unlike traditional offline methods, SOPAT’s systems offer continuous monitoring, which helps in promptly identifying any deviations in the process. This immediate feedback loop allows for rapid adjustments, ensuring optimal process control and reducing waste and downtime. We could compare a SOPAT probe to a microscope, but with huge advantage that there is no need of getting samples or diluting. So you would insert a microscope into production line and get direct insights from your process in real-time due to the combined work of our hardware and software.
How does your technology integrate with existing systems in process industries?
Integration is one of our strong suits. SOPAT’s measurement systems are designed to seamlessly fit into existing industrial setups. They can be incorporated into pipelines, reactors, and other process equipment without significant modifications. Our team works closely with clients to ensure smooth integration, providing customized solutions that meet their specific needs and operational parameters. We work with process adaptors and our probes are easy to transport and robustly designed to fit into the harshest conditions. We offer a variety of probes, including ATEX environments.
Could you highlight a recent success story where SOPAT’s technology made a significant impact?
Certainly. One of our recent success stories involves a major pharmaceutical company. They faced challenges in maintaining consistent particle sizes in their drug formulation process, which affected product efficacy. By implementing SOPAT’s inline measurement system, they achieved real-time monitoring and control, leading to enhanced product quality and a substantial reduction in batch rejections. This not only improved their production efficiency but also resulted in significant cost savings. You can read some of our customer testimonials here (link).
What are the future plans and innovations we can expect from SOPAT?
Our company was born in a university, and we still dedicate time and resources to evolve and continuously improve our own product to meet our customer and industry needs. Therefore, we have a few developments currently taking place (that I can´t share yet -stay tuned…).
In a more general optic, we can say that our future plans include enhancing our data analytics capabilities to provide deeper insights into process optimization. We are also exploring the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to further refine our measurement accuracy and predictive maintenance capabilities. Additionally, expanding our global footprint remains a key focus, as we aim to bring our solutions to a wider array of industries and geographies.
How does SOPAT contribute to sustainability in process industries?
Sustainability is at the core of our mission. By providing precise particle measurement and control, our technology helps industries minimize waste and optimize resource use. This leads to more efficient processes, reducing the environmental footprint. Furthermore, our solutions enable companies to adhere to stringent regulatory standards, ensuring safer and more sustainable operations.
What advice would you give to companies considering adopting inline particle measurement technology?
My advice would be to thoroughly evaluate the specific needs of your process and application to understand how inline measurement can address those needs and test our technology to see if it is a potential match. Our technology offers real-time data and since it is photo-optic, the customer will get a lot of information from the process, not only the particle size, but particle size distribution, bubble recognition, color, circularity, etc. Partnering with a provider that offers comprehensive support and customization can make a significant difference in the success of the implementation. At SOPAT, we are committed to helping our clients achieve their process optimization goals with our advanced measurement solutions.
Would you like to add something else?
SOPAT’s innovative technology and strategic approach are transforming process industries by providing unparalleled precision in particle measurement. With a clear focus on integration, sustainability, and continuous improvement, SOPAT is poised to lead the way in process optimization.
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