The water market has grown sharply during the 1990s. This has caused new brands to emerge and the taste and odour (organoleptic) properties of packaging to become the topic of discussion. As a result the Nordic dairy giant Valio has switched to using aluminium-free, Ensobarr barrier coated gable-top packaging in its 1 litre range of drinking waters.

Office workers who need to take notes, use their computers or perform other tasks while talking on the telephone often place the phone receiver between the ear and the shoulder. A new, low-cost line of telephone headsets -- called Practica -- can help avoid this uncomfortable and inefficient position.

Two new ultrasonic steam flowmeters from Panametrics, the DigitalFlow GS868 and XGS868, solve pressure drop and rangeability problems found in other flowmeters the company reports. This helps reduce operation, installation and maintenance costs. The GS868 is a full featured flowmeter, while the XGS868 is a lower cost flow transmitter. Using Correlation Transit-Time Technology, the meters do not obstruct the line, so full steam power is always delivered. They measure mass flow rate of saturated and superheated steam over a wide range.

Integrated maintenance and design software has been introduced by Cadmatic Oy, Finland, which specialises in 3D design software for the process industry. Maintenance functions interface to the company's virtual reality system used in process plant design. The company says that this is the first time that virtual 3D computer aided design software has been able to interface effectively in this way.  This interface facilitates maintenance planning and helps plant operators save overall costs throughout the entire lifecycle of the plant from design, contruction, operation and maintenance.

PCB power requirements have historically been limited to current ratings of 10 to 15 amps. Now, in response to the higher amp. demands of PC boards used in communications, un-interruptible power supplies (UPS) and data communications equipment, Anderson Power Products has developed the new 1377 Series rated at 25 amps. in a single pole configuration.

Rondelles for kitchen pots and pans, as well as other "flat rotating parts", can now be produced in a more flexible and cost efficient way. The widely patented technology is introduced by Finnish Rondex Ltd., a wholly owned company in the stock exchange listed Hackman Group.

Nokian Renkaat, a leading producer of tyres for northern conditions,broke new ground in spring 1998 in choosing ABB's ACS 600 MultiDrivesystem to control the speed and torque of the motors driving thelatest batch mixer at the company's production facility in Nokia,Finland. According to factory service manager Timo Ylikoski, an ACsystem was chosen instead of the customary DC solution with a view toassessing the options for future investments.

Two new series of cylinders from Bimba Manufacturing Company solve interchangeability problems by conforming to internationally recognized ISO 6431 and 6432 standards. The ISO 6431 cylinder also conforms to VDMA 24562 dimensional specifications. Designed around a lightweight extruded aluminum profile body, the ISO 6431 cylinder resists corrosion and wear and has an expected service life of 3000km the company reports. 

Power stations can improve their profit levels by using a new productivityimprovement programme. The programme, PIP, has been developed by Ramse Consulting Ltd, a Finnish-based firm. It believes that individual power plants can make increased profits from more efficient operation.

Clothes that can stand up to the worst of the weather are now being introduced by Snickers, the Swedish manufacturer of workwear. "These are our most advanced garments so far, with lots of details that facilitate demanding outdoor work", says Per-Henrik Magnusson, product development manager of the company. "These have had five years of testing and development."