The Belgian region of Flanders pioneers the internet of water, a unique intelligent water management system based on a network of connected sensors, that enables a permanent and real time follow-up of water quality and quantity. This is expected to enable Flanders to tackle the growing threat of water inconvenience, water scarcity and water pollution. Recently Flanders’ minister-president Geert Bourgeois activated a first sensor, close to The Blankaart in Diksmuide.
The Smartrac Technology Group (Amsterdam, The Netherlands), recently announced the appointment of Dr Kerstin Reden as chief financial officer, filling a vacancy in the leadership team of the RFID products and IoT solutions provider. Prior to her promotion, Kerstin Reden led Smartrac’s finance team with the rank of senior vice president.
BASF New Business GmbH (BNB; Ludwigshafen, Germany) has acquired all the shares of Advanc3D Materials GmbH in Hamburg and Setup Performance SAS in Lyon. Advanc3D Materials offers advanced, tailor-made plastic powders and formulations for selective laser sintering (SLS) together with process knowhow. Setup Performance, which operates a production site in Lyon, is Advanc3D Materials’ most important partner in the development and manufacture of SLS materials. BNB is integrating both companies into its subsidiary BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH (B3DPS). The acquisition is an important step forward for BASF in its expansion in the field of 3D printing.