Audi/Volkswagen has appointed the Swedish air treatment company AB Ph Nederman & Co as an approved supplier of high vacuum systems for use in surroundings where explosive aluminium particles could cause severe damage. A reference plant is to be built at one of the Audi/VW service facilities in Germany, and the Swedish company hopes that their system, which is claimed to absorb 99,95% of particles, will come into use at similar Audi/VW service centres world-wide.

New US safety regulations come into effect on July 16 for manual controllers used in electric motor applications. Both Ensto Compact and Origin controllers and local disconnects have now gained formal approval from Underwriters Laboratories Inc®, UL®, the body that tests electrical devices and equipment for safety.

Nederman is launching an explosion-proof modular filter for dry dust, the FilterMax DX. This filter, part of the Dustline series, has a reinforced housing with armour plating and is designed for use in surroundings where such material as aluminium, magnesium or organic dust could cause an explosion. The product series also includes Ex-classified suction arms and fans. The FilterMax Standard is completed by the DX filter that also has a built-in, patented pre-separator, and both models can be cleaned automatically during operation.

ABB Ventilation has now introduced a completely new concept in respect of the design of axial fans; the paired blade "PF Twinblade". This new design is expected to set new standards for fan systems, not least in challenging conditions. The design leads to lower maintenance costs and retained efficiency for the whole life of the fan.

Iceland is the latest country to adopt Stora Enso´s Performa Natura CTMP board for packaging chocolate. The use of the board by confectioner Nói Síríus of Iceland means that it is now used by all leading Nordic chocolate manufacturers. This breakthrough comes at a time when Stora Enso is planning to introduce a new member of the Performa family. During summer this year Performa Cream will be launched.

The debate on the mobile Internet focuses far too much on technology and bandwidth. So thinks Pär Ström, mobile Internet strategy adviser, who is one of Sweden's ten most popular speakers, according to Veckans Affärer (Weekly Business), the respected Swedish business magazine.

The large group of non-computer literate users who will want to surf the Internet via Interactive TV (ITV) shall need user-friendly tools. An interface adapted to meet the needs of ordinary people is on the way.

Competitively priced, high quality, videoconferencing facilities are now available via a PC or notebook computer. VistaCom 2.1 is a software based product that allows video calls to be made over the growing ISDN telecommunications network at low cost.

Press conference in the Press room atStockholmsmässan 6 June, 10.30 a.m.

At the international vehicle safety conference ESV in Amsterdam on June 4-7, automotive safety specialist Autoliv launches a new system to protect pedestrians when struck by cars. The new system could significantly reduce the risk for serious and fatal head injuries.