CPECN.COM / DECEMBER 2026
VOLUME 54 / ISSUE 6
SECURING THE CONNECTED PLANT
Managing OT access, connected equipment and industrial data
PLUS FOCUS ON: Who Controls Your Industrial Data? ALSO: Why AI Makes Calibration Matter More Than Ever
Finally, a manufacturing podcast worth your commute! Find Us Wherever You Podcast.
manufacturingeh.ca
December 2026 Vol. 54, No. 6 cpecn.com
DEPARTMENTS
10
COVER STORY
FROM THE GUEST EDITOR 4 Gregg Moffat, CIAC president and CEO, on the current manufacturing moment. NEWS 5 The latest industry news.
10 ACCESS GRANTED
USB drives, contractor laptops and remote access make plant work easier, but they can also introduce cybersecurity risks.
FEATURES
PRODUCTS 22 New products from KROHNE, Antaira, Foodsafe, et al.
12 The Connected Plant
What the 2027 Advanced Manufacturing Outlook Report reveals about technology, data and cybersecurity in Canadian manufacturing.
14 Planning Your Exit
17
Preparing early can place business owners in a stronger position when it’s time to sell.
COLUMNS CONTROL OF CRITICAL EQUIPMENT 7 Keeping essential plant systems running when automation fails.
COVER IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES
THE IMPORTANCE OF CALIBRATION 8 Accurate measurements matter now more than ever. It all starts with calibration.
17 Pumping Data
Surveillance, SCADA and the slippery ethics of flow control.
20 Catching Moisture Drift
Faster at-line, online and inline measurements can help food processors identify changes while there is still time to adjust the process.
26_012628_CPECN_DEC_CN Mod: September 18, 2026 9:54 AM Print: 10/13/26 page 2 v2.5
π SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY IN STOCK – SHIPS TODAY
ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING
1-800-295-5510
uline.ca
DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS CPE_Uline_Dec26_CSA.indd 1
3
2026-10-15 1:44 PM
GUEST EDITORIAL
Canadian Manufacturing at a Crossroads: The Need to Compete, Invest and Grow
C in chemistry and plastics products crosses the Canada-U.S. border every year
4
anadian manufacturing is at a crossroads. Faced with growing trade uncertainty, rising operating costs and increasing global competition, manufacturers across the country are navigating one of the most challenging business environments in recent memory. Yet, despite these pressures, Canada has the expertise, resources and industrial capabilities needed to remain a global manufacturing leader.The question is whether we can create conditions for that success. For Canada’s chemistry and plastics sector, the stakes are particularly high. As the country’s fourth-largest manufacturing sector, chemistry and plastics provide essential materials for virtually every major industry, including automotive, aerospace, agriculture, construction, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing. When our sector succeeds, the benefits extend throughout the Canadian economy. Unfortunately, the current trade environment is creating significant uncertainty. More than $115 billion in chemistry and plastics products cross the Canada-U.S. border annually, often multiple times before becoming finished goods. Tariffs and other trade barriers threaten these deeply integrated supply chains, increasing costs, disrupting production and making Canadian facilities less attractive for future investment. While governments negotiate, manufacturers must continue making decisions about where to invest, expand and create jobs. Those decisions cannot wait indefinitely for political certainty. Protecting tariff-free trade and strengthening the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) must remain national priorities. However, trade policy alone will not secure Canada’s manufacturing future.We must also address the domestic challenges that have weakened our competitiveness. Canada needs a regulatory environment that is efficient, predictable and grounded in science. Manufacturers require timely approvals, competitive
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
tax policies, reliable transportation infrastructure and access to affordable energy. These are not simply industry preferences; they are fundamental conditions for attracting the capital investment that supports jobs, innovation and economic growth. Equally important is our ability to embrace new technologies. Investments in advanced manufacturing, automation, process optimization, cleaner production and innovative recycling technologies can improve productivity, reduce emissions, recover valuable materials and help Canadian facilities compete internationally. Advancements in mechanical and advanced recycling technologies also offer opportunities to reduce waste, strengthen domestic supply chains and accelerate Canada’s transition to a more circular economy. For companies supplying the equipment, technologies and expertise that keep our industrial facilities operating, these investments represent significant opportunities for innovation and growth. There is reason for optimism. Canada possesses a highly skilled workforce, abundant natural resources and an established industrial base. Our manufacturers have repeatedly demonstrated their resilience and ability to innovate. But resilience should not be mistaken for an unlimited capacity to absorb uncertainty and rising costs. The path forward requires collaboration between governments and industry, with a shared commitment to strengthening Canada’s investment climate, protecting integrated supply chains and modernizing our manufacturing capabilities. Canadian manufacturers are ready to compete. Now we must ensure they have the conditions needed to succeed.
GREG MOFFATT President and CEO, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
Volume 54 No.6
DECEMBER 2026
Reader Service
Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact Angelita Potal Customer Service Tel: 416-510-5113 Fax: (416) 510-6875 Email: apotal@annexbusinessmedia.com Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Audience Manager Anita Madden 416.510.5183 amadden@annexbusinessmedia.com Brand Sales Manager Pat Lorusso 416.518.5509 plorusso@annexbusinessmedia.com
Interim Editor Kirstyn Brown 226.931.4194 kbrown@annexbusinessmedia.com Account Coordinator Kristine Deokaran 416.510.6774 kdeokaran@annexbusinessmedia.com Group Publisher, Manufacturing Paul Grossinger pgrossinger@annexbusinessmedia.com CEO Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com CPE&CN is published bi-monthly by: Annex Business Media 111 Gordon Baker Rd, Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 T: 416-442-5600 F: 416-442-2230 © All materials in this publication are copyright protected and the property of Annex Business Media., the publishers of Canadian Process Equipment & Control News magazine. For permission on reprinting or reproducing any materials, e-mail your requests to cpe@cpecn.com Canadian Postmaster send address corrections to: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Canadian Process Equipment & Control News assumes no responsibility for the validity of claims in items reported. Annex Privacy Officer privacy@annexbusinessmedia.com Tel: 800-668-2384 PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40065710 Printed in Canada ISSN 0318-0859
Subscription Rates Canadian (Plus Taxes) USA Foreign
1 Year 2 Years $53.04 $100.78 $63.65 $95.47
CPECN.COM
Single $7.00
NEWS
CANADIAN UTILITIES BREAKS GROUND ON $2.9B YELLOWHEAD PIPELINE PROJECT
Canadian Utilities has broken ground on the Yellowhead Pipeline, a natural gas infrastructure project the company says will help meet growing energy demand in Alberta. According to the company, the 235-kilometre pipeline will run from Peers, Alta., to Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., and will be capable of delivering 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to Alberta’s industrial heartland. Canadian Utilities said the project represents an estimated $2.9-billion investment and is expected to enter service in late 2027. The groundbreaking follows approval of the project by the Alberta Utilities Commission in July, with pre-construction activities already underway. The company said the pipeline is intended to add capacity to Alberta’s natural gas system in response to population growth, expanding industrial activity and increasing demand for power generation. According to Canadian Utilities, the pipeline’s capacity was fully subscribed before the regulatory approval process was completed. The company has stated that the project is expected to create approximately 2,000 direct construction jobs. It also said downstream investments associated with the pipeline could support additional construction and permanent employment once those projects become operational.
PHOTO: CANADIAN UTILITIES LTD.
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, NVIDIA AND HPE COLLABORATE ON INDUSTRIAL AI FOR PROCESS INDUSTRIES
Schneider Electric, NVIDIA and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at expanding the use of artificial intelligence in process and heavy industries. The companies unveiled what they describe as Industrial AI Agents at the Edge, a technology approach designed to bring AI applications closer to industrial operations rather than relying solely on cloud-based systems. According to Schneider Electric, the solution combines its operational technology expertise with HPE Private Cloud AI and NVIDIA AI technologies to support AI deployment within industrial environments. The companies said the approach is intended to address several challenges associated with scaling industrial AI, including data sovereignty, cybersecurity and AI-related operating costs. The first applications are focused on operational technology monitoring, cybersecurity and energy optimization. Schneider Electric said customers will be able to deploy and manage multiple AI agents through its EcoStruxure Industrial Insights platform. The company also highlighted the use of its Operational Technology Monitoring
Yellowhead Pipeline groundbreaking (L-R): Patrick Bain, Director, Yellowhead Mainline Project; Jason Sharpe, COO, ATCO Energy Systems; Hon. RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Affordability and Utilities; Bob Myles, CEO, Canadian Utilities; Nancy Southern, Chair & CEO, ATCO, and Executive Chair, Canadian Utilities; Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and MP for Edmonton Centre; Lance Radke, SVP, Gas & Pipelines, ATCO Energy Systems. System (OTMS) at CMPC Chile, part of pulp, paper and packaging producer Empresas CMPC S.A. According to Schneider Electric, CMPC has used the system for the past three years to monitor the health and availability of control systems across its pulp and paper operations. “The next generation of industrial innovation will be driven by intelligence embedded directly into industrial operations,” said Gwenaelle Huet, executive vice-president of industrial automation at Schneider Electric, in a statement. Schneider Electric said the collaboration with NVIDIA and HPE is intended to support the development of increasingly autonomous industrial operations by combining automation, edge computing and AI technologies.
Rodan will develop, own and operate the battery system and manage its ongoing energy use through the company’s FlexOps platform. St. Marys Cement will not provide upfront capital for the project. The companies said the project is intended to reduce energy costs and improve operational resilience at the Bowmanville plant, which has operated since 1968. Rodan and St. Marys Cement described the 50 MWh installation as the largest behind-the-meter battery energy storage system in Canada to date. The Bowmanville installation will be the first project of its type for St. Marys Cement parent company Votorantim Cimentos North America. The company said the project could provide a basis for evaluating similar energy storage installations at its other operations.
ST. MARYS CEMENT TO INSTALL 50 MWH BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM AT ONTARIO PLANT
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS $193.3M IN QUEBEC ALUMINUM PROCESSING PROJECTS
St. Marys Cement and Rodan Energy Solutions have announced a long-term agreement to develop a 50-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system at St. Marys Cement’s Bowmanville, Ont., plant. According to the companies, the behindthe-meter system will allow the facility to reduce its demand from the electrical grid during peak periods while maintaining plant operations. The batteries can be charged during lower-demand periods and supply energy during periods of higher electricity demand.
The federal government is investing $193.3 million in aluminum processing projects in Quebec aimed at expanding production capacity, modernizing smelting operations and improving energy efficiency. The funding, announced Oct. 23 by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, will support projects by Rio Tinto and Aluminerie Alouette through the federal Strategic Response Fund. Rio Tinto will receive $164.8 million toward $818.5 million in projects at its aluminum operations in the Saguenay-Lac-
DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
5
Saint-Jean region. According to the federal announcement, the projects are intended to increase production capacity and improve operating efficiency. The company’s plans include construction of a new billet casting centre at its Alma smelter to support production of value-added aluminum products. At the Grande-Baie smelter, Rio Tinto plans to modernize its anode baking furnaces through infrastructure upgrades and equipment refurbishment. The government said the work is intended to improve reliability, productivity and the long-term competitiveness of the operation. A further $28.5 million in federal funding will support a $135-million project by Aluminerie Alouette to modernize and optimize electrolysis operations at its aluminum smelter. According to the government, the technological improvements will target energy performance, greenhouse gas emissions and the competitiveness of the operation. Aluminerie Alouette produces approximately 633,000 tonnes of primary aluminum annually and employs more than 1,000 people, according to the federal announcement. Combined, the Rio Tinto and Aluminerie Alouette projects are expected to help maintain approximately 6,000 jobs across Quebec and Canada, the government said. The federal funding comes as Canadian aluminum producers face changing international trade conditions and tariffs. The government said the investments are intended to strengthen Canada’s aluminum supply chain and improve the industry’s long-term competitiveness.
commissioning equipment. • Solo Italia Fine Pasta Inc. and South West Terminal Ltd. will receive about $2.1 million to expand commercial pasta production in Swift Current. The funding, from both programs, covers production equipment, food safety and quality control equipment, automated packaging, production control systems, facility retrofits and cold storage. • Three Farmers Foods Inc. will receive $1 million in non-repayable funding to expand blending and packaging capacity at its Saskatoon facility and set up an allergenfriendly production zone. • Titan Clean Energy Projects Corp. will receive $787,500 in repayable funding to add modular production lines at its biomass processing facility in Craik. The company produces activated carbon for water and air purification and agricultural use. • M.P.S. Welding Inc. will receive about $2.6 million in repayable funding to expand capacity at its Pierceland plant and begin making downhole sand control products for heavy oil and oil sands operations. The remaining funding goes to a digital trade-corridor platform from the Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association and an IT upgrade at Honey Bee Manufacturing.
KAP MINERALS AND CYMAT TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCE SCANDIUM-ALUMINUM PRODUCTION VENTURE KAP Minerals Inc. and Cymat Technologies Ltd. have signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) to develop a proposed joint venture for the production and commercialization of scandium-aluminum master alloy in Canada. The proposed venture would combine scandium oxide expected to be recovered from KAP Minerals Inc.’s critical-minerals project in Kapuskasing, Ontario, with Cymat Technologies Ltd.’s aluminum-processing technology. According to the companies, Cymat Technologies Ltd.’s proprietary flux-free alloying process would be used to produce high-purity scandium-aluminum master alloy. Scandium-aluminum master alloy is used to produce specialized aluminum alloys with enhanced strength, weldability and performance for applications including aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing. Under the MOU, KAP Minerals Inc. will focus on developing a supply of scandium oxide from its Kapuskasing project, where feasibility and metallurgical work are underway. Cymat Technologies Ltd. would contribute its processing technology and manufacturing capabilities to develop commercial-grade scandium-aluminum master alloy. The companies said they will work toward a definitive joint venture agreement addressing scandium oxide supply, production, intellectual property, financing and commercialization. They are targeting demonstration of commercial-grade master alloy production by the end of 2027, subject to technical development and agreed specifications.
SASKATCHEWAN FOOD AND FERTILIZER PROCESSORS GET FEDERAL FUNDING TO EXPAND PRODUCTION
Several Saskatchewan processors will expand production with federal funding announced Oct. 9 by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). The agency is providing just over $11.2 million to eight projects in the province through two programs. The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program offers interest-free repayable funding. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), which the federal government created to support small and medium-sized businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, provides non-repayable funding. Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, made the announcement on behalf of Eleanor Olszewski, the minister responsible for PrairiesCan. Projects in the province’s processing sector include: • Northern Nutrients Ltd. will receive $3.1 million in repayable funding to add a second facility in Saskatoon for its sulphur fertilizer production. According to PrairiesCan, the money will go toward buying, installing and 6
Signing ceremony for a KAP-Cymat made-in-Canada scandium project (L-R): Geoff Hampson (CEO KAP Minerals Inc.) and Michael Liik (CEO Cymat Technologies Ltd.) are joined by George Pirie (Ontario Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth), Rudy Cuzzetto (Parliamentary Assisstant for Steven Lecce, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines), Iqwinder Gaheer (Federal MP for Mississauga-Malton) and Flavio Volpe (President Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association).
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
CPECN.COM
PHOTO: COURTESY CYMAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
NEWS
GETTING IT WRIGHT
CONTROL OF CRITICAL EQUIPMENT Keeping essential plant systems running when automation fails. By Michael Wright
PHOTO: COURTESY JULPO/GETTY IMAGES
S
tandby generators, fire pumps and mine hoists are obvious examples of critical equipment; without them, the plant could freeze up, burn down, or personnel in a mine could die. However, it can also include process equipment such as vessel circulating pumps and mixers which must be kept running to prevent certain processes from ‘sanding out’ or ‘setting up,’ resulting in an extended plant shutdown. It is therefore important that their control circuits be wired so that if a bug occurs in the Plant Control System (PCS), be it a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a distributed control system (DCS), manual control can be implemented quickly. Due to the hazards involved in mining, mine hoists are heavily regulated. So, although most modern hoists will incorporate a PLC into their control system, any program changes done on it must be completed by a certified agency, usually the hoist OEM, and not by whomever is responsible for programming the plant PCS. Furthermore, any communications between the hoist PLC and the plant PCS must be set up by the hoist OEM to ensure that no data, valid or otherwise, can be sent from the plant PCS into the hoist PLC. And lastly, any connection for remote programming between the hoist PLC and the internet must be physically disconnected (“air gapped”) when not in use to ensure that the system cannot be hacked with fatal consequences. Fire pump installations are covered by various fire and electrical codes. These codes generally dictate that the power and control systems for the pump be brutally simple so that the pump will keep running until the fire is out or the pump has catastrophically failed. So, although it may feel like a good idea to connect the fire pump to the PCS, anything beyond a simple monitoring function is ill-advised. The necessity for having a standby generator that will run regardless of ice storm, blizzard, or computer bug should be apparent when you consider that the Canadian winter is such an honourable adversary. As such, it is critical that workers at the site are able to get the unit running even if the ethernet is down or some remote I/O module isn’t
functioning. Therefore, the standby generator from the PCS. However, it is important to note should always be equipped with an Auto-Manu- that the STOP relay must only function when it al switch so that any competent individual on is energized and must only be energized for a site can get it running before the water lines all couple of seconds at a time, so that a PCS failure freeze and a power outage of a few hours turns cannot prevent the mixer from being manually into weeks of downtime. controlled. To ensure that the “anual function will actualEssentially, all critical equipment should have ly work, unless the generator has an on-board its own control system which can be monitored OEM processor, it is critical that pressure and by the plant PCS and in some cases even retemperature monitoring be done with mechan- motely stopped and started by the PCS. Howical gauges and that machine protection func- ever, it must never be prevented from running tions be handled by physical switches so that simply because the PCS has failed. transducers, which must be read by a PLC are not able to prevent the unit from functioning. Michael Wright is an electrical engineer Where a process depends on tanks or vessels with more than 50 years of experience in which must be constantly mixed or circulated to heavy industry. Although he has done an prevent them from setting up or sanding out; extensive amount of PLC/DCS programand where the failure of this mixing system ming and upgrading of power systems, he is a very could cost tens or hundreds of thousands of strong generalist with a broad knowledge of hydrauldollars in lost product and plant downtime, it is ics, pneumatics, power transfer, welding practices, imperative that the control system for the mixing mining equipment, mobile equipment, process control equipment be wired with an absolute minimum strategies, pumping systems, rock mechanics monof process interlocks and be able to continue itoring, mechanical maintenance practices, MRO running when the PCS fails. procurement contracts, energy management, and And given that in most cases, these mixers can cost control. As such, he specializes in problem prestay running after the rest of the process is shut vention as a subject matter expert (or as a fixer on down, they can usually be controlled by a simple “problem projects”). It is his belief that safety is not STOP/START control and if the plant manage- a “priority” but is a way of life; that good engineerment doesn’t want to have to send a worker to ing makes life simpler and easier for others; and that manually stop or start them from the plant floor, the best ideas come from those with calloused hands traditional electro-mechanical relays can be and dirty coveralls. He can be reached at: wired into the circuit to provide remote control mawright@sasktel.net. DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
7
KERSHAW CORNER
THE IMPORTANCE OF CALIBRATION AI is only as smart as the data feeding it, which makes calibration more strategic than ever. By Ryan Kershaw
S
“In industrial applications, a minor discrepancy often means the difference between product that goes to the customer and product that goes to the scrap bin.” Calibration, done properly, can have a major impact on the quality of data in the manufacturing process, but what is cali8
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
bration and why does it get done? Put simply, calibration ensures that data from different sources is of the same quality and aligns with data from different sources. Poor calibration means that two different instruments may report different readings, which is the definition of ambiguity.
FOLLOWING THE CHAIN OF STANDARDS Every calibration, whether done in the field with a handheld or with a precision instrument in a laboratory, starts with the primary standard. There are seven of these: time, length, mass, current, temperature, amount and luminosity. Every other measurement is either derived or a combination of multiple primary measurements. As for the standards themselves, they are no longer physical items. The kilogram, which used to be a platinum-iridium alloy, was the last to go in 2019, they are now based on defining constants like the speed of light and the Planck constant. From these standards, the information is passed to primary standards. For instance, with pressure a primary stan-
dard is a deadweight tester which uses mass and length to define pressure. The primary standard is then used to calibrate a secondary standard, such as a high precision pressure transducer seen in many labs. The secondary standard can be used to calibrate field calibrators or even some process instrumentation, and finally those field calibrators are used to calibrate those items in the field that cannot be brought back into the laboratory.
MIND THE 4:1 RULE When moving from one level to the next, the rule that is typically followed is the NIST 4:1 rule, which means that each time you move down the process the accuracy of the calibrator must be 4 times higher than the device being calibrated. Want to calibrate a field instrument with a 0.1 percent accuracy? Then the device providing the reference must have an accuracy of 0.025 percent or better. This can be done by either getting a higher accuracy calibrator or using a device that is closer to the standard. While there are alternative methods for moving from one level to the next, the CPECN.COM
PHOTO: ©PAKKASEEDUM / ADOBE STOCK
pend five minutes looking through any industrial news, websites, magazines or other sources and AI will pop up multiple times. In fact, I would bet that you wouldn’t even need five minutes to get into the double-digit number of mentions. While there is genuine excitement around this new technology, it needs to be remembered that AI is only as good as the data it’s built on. In industrial applications, the level of precision is extremely high. In commercial applications, some ambiguity can be accepted. In industrial applications, a minor discrepancy often means the difference between product that goes to the customer and product that goes to the scrap bin. Scrap cost hits productivity hard. Not only is there the loss of material, but new product has to be made (or product has to be remade) to fill the quota gap left by the loss. Productivity is defined as output produced per labour hour, so if products need twice the amount of effort to produce productivity drops by half.
PHOTO: CHAOTICDESIGNSTUDIO / ADOBE STOCK
vast majority will be covered by this one. This rule can become tricky when dealing with equipment that has a full scale stated accuracy. For instance, a 0-100psi transmitter with a 1 percent Full Scale accuracy will have a unit accuracy of +/-1psi, no matter where it is along the range. This will not be an issue if it is trying to calibrate a sensor with a 5 percent accuracy at 100 psi, but trying to use the same instrument to perform the calibration at 50psi will be problematic since the +/-1psi error will be equal to a 2 percent error at that point. So, when choosing calibration equipment, ensure that the range and the error suits the calibration point.
HOW OFTEN IS ENOUGH? Another point of confusion that comes up often is how often calibrations need to be performed. The answer to that question is typically “it depends”. Theoretically, the calibration only guarantees a correct measurement during the calibration procedure – after that, all bets are off. In reality, there is typically some period where the cali“Now with the rise of AI, big data and bration is assumed to be good, but unfortunately, that is going to vary widely. More stable instruments (level, tem- other advancements, having the best perature, pressure, etc.) are going to be able to hold their data is becoming a strategic calibration longer, while less stable instruments (typically advantage. Those with the best data analytical) will not. In many cases, the best information is going to come from can make the best decisions.” the manufacturer, though it could be superseded by regulations or environment (i.e. portable instrumentation used in rough environments should be checked more often). There are many parallels between calibration and maintenMuch like maintenance, calibration has both a direct and ance, and many companies treat them in the same manner: opportunity cost associated with it, so balancing usage with they get done because they have to get done. Now with the rise calibration periods is important. In some cases, the period of AI, big data and other advancements, having the best data will be forced by regulation, especially when it comes to is becoming a strategic advantage. Those with the best data safety. In others, manufacturers will have a fairly free hand can make the best decisions. Having the proper calibration on how often they run their calibration programs. procedures and processes in place will set a solid foundation Interestingly, while we have started to move towards for these systems. Not having them? Well, you know the old predictive maintenance, calibration is still typically done on saying: garbage in, garbage out. a schedule. Could we move to a predictive model with calibration as well? Since predictive maintenance requires Ryan Kershaw is the IIoT, WEgrid, and Calibration good data and good calibration is required for good data, it Specialist for Eastern Canada at WIKA Canada Ltd. could be difficult. and lives in Maple, ON.
Calibration helps ensure the accuracy and consistency of data used to monitor industrial processes.
High temperature, high pressure and cryogenic, applications with one device OPTIMASS 6400 – for advanced process applications in the Oil & Gas industry
krohne.link/optimass-us products solutions services DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS CPE_Krohne _August25_CSA.indd 1
9
2025-07-15 9:07 AM
COVER STORY
ACCESS GRANTED D
USB drives, contractor laptops and remote connections are part of everyday plant operations, but they can also open pathways into operational technology. By J Lynn Fraser
ybersecurity takes on a different meaning when a breach has the potential to affect the systems running a plant. As operational technology (OT) becomes more connected, attacks that start in the digital world can have consequences for physical processes and production. Access to plant systems is a routine part of troubleshooting, maintenance and equipment support. But each connection, whether through a laptop, USB drive or remote account, can create another entry point into OT.
USB DRIVE VULNERABILITIES USBs are convenient carriers of data, but their potential to cause problems in OT can be overlooked precisely because they are such familiar tools. They can travel easily between workstations and are routinely used to share files and programs. Engineers may also have access to software, project files and production systems through their workstations, making removable media an important security consideration. The risk with USBs is easy to underestimate. The 2010 Stuxnet attack remains a prominent example. Malware reached Siemens STEP 7 engineering software and ultimately manipulated centrifuges at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility while reporting apparently normal operating conditions. The incident demonstrated that removable media can bypass perimeter defences and reach air-gapped en10
vironments through supply chains and contractor networks. Shieldworkz, an operational technology (OT) cybersecurity company, recommends maintaining an approved hardware inventory and only allowing recognized devices to connect to plant systems. Removable media can also be scanned before use, including at dedicated scanning stations. For industrial environments, that screening can extend to PLC configuration files, HMI project files and SCADA database formats. USB activity can also be logged, while unused ports can be physically blocked or disabled.
REMOTE ACCESS RISKS Remote access allows engineers, operators and vendors to supervise or troubleshoot industrial systems without being physically present. That convenience, however, makes the security of laptops, credentials and remote access tools an operational concern. The 2021 cyber incident at a water-treatment plant in Oldsmar, Fla., illustrated the risk. An attacker gained remote access to an operator workstation and attempted to raise the amount of sodium hydroxide used in treatment. An
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
operator noticed the cursor moving across the screen and reversed the change before it affected the water supply. Reviews of the incident pointed to weaknesses that included an outdated Windows 7 operating system, shared credentials and remote-access software connected to the plant environment. Reducing those vulnerabilities requires more than securing individual devices or connections. “Executive or senior industry members should be involved in developing security,” says Ikjot Saini, assistant professor of cybersecurity and privacy at the University of Windsor and co-founder and co-director of the SHIELD Automotive Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence. “Accountability rests with senior management.” She says organizations should also draw on safety and IT security teams and professionals familiar with relevant standards, and ensure their plans address OT as well as data. “There needs to be a demonstrated path to recovery.” The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security recommends removing OT systems from direct internet exposure and establishing a controlled, monitored boundary between OT and IT networks. ComCPECN.COM
PHOTO: ©PRIM / ADOBE STOCK
C
constantly introduced, requiring on- user is trustworthy simply because they going assessment and improvement of have been authenticated or are already security controls,” Ghorbani says. inside the company network.” He recommends regularly reviewing “Access should be limited to what is risks, policies and access as the plant actually needed, with additional barriers environment changes, rather than treat- between systems so that an attacker who ing cybersecurity controls as a one-time compromises one device cannot easily exercise. Improvements can also be move through the network and reach phased in according to risk and oper- critical equipment,” de Magalhães says. ational impact, he says, so they do not come at the expense of safety, reliability “We shouldn’t assume or availability. Ghorbani adds that vendors and other that a device or user is third-party providers needs to be part of trustworthy simply that planning. “Organizations should establish clear because they have been cybersecurity requirements for vendors and third-party providers, as they often authenticated or are have access to critical OT systems from already inside the workstations and remotely.” He recommends aligning those prac- company network.” tices with standards and frameworks – Felipe Gohring de such as IEC 62443 and the NIST CyberMagalhães security Framework.
MANAGING ACCESS Contractors may be given access to important systems such as PLCs, DCSs and HMIs to perform maintenance or troubleshoot equipment. That access should be monitored while work is underway and removed promptly when the job is complete. That risk can increase during shutdowns, turnarounds and major maintenance work, when outside contractors and equipment suppliers may need temporary access to plant systems. Laptops and munications between the environments USB drives moving between sites can should pass through an intermediary introduce another point of exposure, such as a properly configured firewall, making it important to approve access bastion host, jump box or demilitarized before work begins and remove temporzone, with connections limited to ap- ary connections when the job is finished. proved assets. “What matters is how access is managed, what systems employees can reach and what happens if their devices are “Executive or senior compromised,” says Felipe Gohring de Magalhães, assistant professor at Polyindustry members technique Montréal and a member of should be involved in the Multidisciplinary Institute for Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience. developing security.” “We shouldn’t assume that a device or
PHOTO: ©ALIM / ADOBE STOCK
- Ikjot Saini
He adds that this can be particularly challenging in manufacturing, where legacy systems from different generations and vendors often have to work together. Good technology hygiene includes knowing where USB devices have been used and where they came from. For remote workers and contractors, it also means keeping track of changes made to plant systems and reversing temporary changes or access once the work is complete. “Attacks are inevitable, including successful ones,” says Michael Hicks, associate chair of the Department of Computer and Information Science at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Schlein Center for Cybersecurity. “Attackers have incentive to go after utilities, whether they are nation states or cyber criminals. You have to assume you will be attacked, and the attack will work, at least partially. You need systems in place to observe the attack, stop it, and clean up afterward.”
“Maintaining an up-to-date inventory of OT assets and conducting regular risk assessments helps organizations identify critical systems and vulnerabilities. Remote access should be restricted, monitored, and regularly reviewed, with outdated accounts and access points removed promptly,” says Dr. Ali A. Ghorbani, professor of computer science, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity and director of the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity at the University of New Brunswick. “As OT environments evolve, new assets, vendors and connections are DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
11
REPORT SNAPSHOT
THE CONNECTED PLANT, BY THE NUMBERS What the 2027 Advanced Manufacturing Outlook Report reveals about technology, data and cybersecurity in Canadian manufacturing.
C
anadian manufacturers are still investing in connected operations, but they are narrowing their priorities. This is according to the 2027 Advanced Manufacturing Outlook Report, which drew survey responses from 156 manufacturing executives and leaders across Canada. Artificial intelligence leads planned technology investment over the next three years at 51 percent, followed by robotics and automation at 40 percent and cybersecurity at 38 percent. Machineand shop-floor data capture is planned by 31 percent, while 30 percent expect to invest in advanced analytics. Spending plans are becoming larger even as the list of priorities gets shorter. Among respondents intending to invest, the estimated average three-year technology budget is $2.59 million, up from $1.57 million in 2026. Close to three-quarters expect to spend between $100,000 and just under $5 million.
Only 15 respondents, about 10 percent of the sample, describe their companies as Advanced or Leading in digital transformation. The report groups these companies as Advanced+. Because the group is small, comparisons should be treated as directional. Even so, Advanced+ manufacturers report much higher use of sensors and data capture, advanced analytics, AI and machine-driven automation, along with stronger data-governance and cybersecurity practices. The wider sample still relies heavily on familiar tools. Spreadsheets are used to collect data by 64 percent, accounting software by 60 percent, ERP systems by 53 percent and manual processes by 47 percent. A formal data-governance policy is in place at 42 percent of companies, compared with 77 percent of Advanced+ manufacturers. Cybersecurity readiness is also uneven. An incident affected 15 percent of respondents in the past year. Staff training
Top 3 technologies currently in use
Planned investment over the next three years
Overall
Advanced+
2026
Sensors/data capture
How prepared are manufacturers?
Cybersecurity measures in place:
2027
AI
38% 60%
51%
64%
Robotics/automation 40%
Advanced analytics
48%
Cybersecurity
27% 67%
38%
44%
Machine/shop-floor data capture AI/machine learning
31%
25% 47%
12
is the most common protective measure at 72 percent, followed by security infrastructure at 70 percent and risk assessments at 57 percent. Incident-response plans are less common, at 34 percent. Automation is moving in both directions. The share reporting primarily machine-driven systems with minimal human intervention rose to 12 percent from two percent in 2026, while the share with no automation systems increased to seven percent. Production leads current AI and machine-learning use at 34 percent overall, and maintenance rises from 16 percent overall to 33 percent among Advanced+ manufacturers.
44%
Advanced analytics 30%
33%
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
15% experienced a cybersecurity incident in the past year
security infrastructure 70% Have in place conducted a cybersecurity 57% Have risk assessment an incident-response 34% Have plan
CPECN.COM
The Digital Divide All manufacturers
Advanced+
Sensors/data capture
+22 pts
38% Advanced analytics
vs.
+40 pts
27%
67%
Data-governance policy
+35 pts
42% 0%
77%
60%
25%
50%
Advanced+ manufacturers are nearly twice as likely to have a formal data-governance policy
77% 75%
42%
100%
What changed in a year? 2026
2027
Primarily machine-driven systems with minimal human intervention +10 pts
2%
12%
12%
Use manual processes to collect data +14 pts
33%
vs.
47%
Have a formal data-governance policy
-14 pts
42% Plan to invest in cybersecurity 38% 0%
-6 pts
25%
2%
Six times as many manufacturers now run primarily machine-driven systems as a year ago
56%
44% 50%
75%
100%
Process industries in the sample Share of respondents, by sector
9%
7%
Food manufacturing
Plastics and rubber products
5%
5%
4%
3%
3%
3%
2%
Chemical
Environmental
Paper manufacturing
Beverage and tobacco products
Primary metal
Petroleum and coal products
Life sciences
The survey spans Canadian manufacturing, but respondents included companies in food, chemicals, plastics, paper, petroleum, life sciences and other process-related sectors.
Source: 2027 Advanced Manufacturing Outlook Survey. Survey of 156 Canadian manufacturing executives and leaders. Results reflect the broader Canadian manufacturing sector and are not specific to process industries. For more, visit plant.ca/2027-industry-outlook-report/. DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
13
BUSINESS STRATEGY
PLANNING G YOUR EXIT Preparing early can put business owners in a stronger position when it’s time to sell. by Christian Coutts
f you’re a business owner, this article is for you. If time were no obstacle, many entrepreneurs would simply never stop working. It’s the very trait that sets them apart. Unfortunately, time works against us, and at some point, they’ll need to step back and let someone else take the reins. This article explores the emotional topic of succession planning — through it I hope to shed light on your options and save you precious time down the road. Let’s start with a modern fable, one I’ve written for this piece. Luca and Soren are both business owners, but after setting out to sell their companies, they’ve experienced wildly different outcomes. Luca owned a metal fabrication business in Vaughan, Ontario. He realized many moons ago that his children weren’t destined to run the show; their interests lay elsewhere. This was a tough pill for Luca to swallow. Not letting himself lose too much sleep over it, Luca consulted his professional network and learned that he wouldn’t have to shutter the operation. There was a world of outside buyers who would be interested in his business. Luca connected with some prospective buyers through his accountant and was able to hear a number of pitches. Through this process, Luca worked on priming his business for a sale. Much like you wouldn’t market your house using photos taken on a random Tuesday, Luca took care to clean house and foresaw buyers’ concerns. He transferred more responsibility to his GM, reducing owner dependency. He 14
worked with his bookkeeper to clean up the financials. He enriched his pipeline “Waiting for a path to materialize on with signed contracts over handshake its own will lead to sale conditions agreements. dictated by others, which will favour Luca eventually procured formal offers and entered an exclusive arrange- the buyer instead of you.” ment with a young man, Felix, in whom he had great confidence. There was terrific personal and professional alignloves so deeply, while removing all the ment — Luca could absolutely see stress that came with ownership. His Felix at the helm. Following a due bank account is also now much larger, diligence phase, Luca and Felix evenand he rests easy at night knowing his tually negotiated a purchase agreement retirement plan is settled and his family and sat down to ink the deal. taken care of. He even booked a Luca’s since been able to continue long-overdue vacation to Italy. working with Felix on a contract basis, Soren owns a commercial roofing allowing him to continue the work he company in Oakville, Ontario. Unfortu-
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
CPECN.COM
PHOTO: SIMONSKAFAR/GETTY IMAGES
I
nately, Soren’s story stands in stark contrast to Luca’s. While Luca’s sipping on fine wine in Sorrento, Soren’s grappling with his succession plan, or rather lack thereof. Soren was always grateful for his team. They embodied loyalty and promoted a great culture. His longest-tenured employee, Peter, has been with him for 16 years and worked his way up to lead superintendent. Soren thought it was a foregone conclusion that Peter would one day step up to buy the business. By the time Soren had reached 65, however, neither had made a move. Much to Soren’s disappointment, he learned that Peter
simply couldn’t swing it. He had a mortgage and two kids starting university — the funds weren’t there. Since Soren was counting on a transition to Peter, who knew the business inside and out, he spent little time putting the company’s affairs in order. The financials were messy, key customer relationships still sat with Soren, no operating procedures were documented, and field machinery was in desperate need of repair. Having made a promise to his family to exit at 65, Soren felt rushed to find a buyer. He engaged with a business broker following a brief Google search and listed his company two months
later. The initial offers left something to be desired. Soren was disheartened and didn’t feel the offers reflected the brand he’d worked so hard to build over the course of 30 years. Today, Soren’s company remains on the market while he waits for a better offer. Let’s step back now. Luca had the foresight to plan, and it paid off. Unfortunately, only 9 percent of business owners in Canada are like Luca and have a formal succession strategy in place, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Soren found himself on the other side of the fence and will sacrifice time and money as a result. It’s in your best interest to get the succession ball rolling. Waiting for a path to materialize on its own will lead to sale conditions dictated by others, which will favour the buyer instead of you. Beginning to plan well ahead of retirement (up to several years) will go a long way in positioning you as the primary benefactor of a sale. While the sale process itself takes multiple months (from sourcing buyers, to taking offers, through due diligence and final negotiations), there’s plenty of work to be done before and after. Before marketing the opportunity, it’s in your interest to ready the business for competitive bids (equivalent to staging a home for sale, except these are permanent changes to your operation). After closing, the buyer will likely ask you to remain involved for a transition period, which can last anywhere from a few months to several years. The bottom line is that the sale of your business is an immense undertaking — you’re not selling a used car. Broadly speaking, you have two options when selling your business: a private sale or a brokered sale. The private sale is executed directly between you and the buyer, who could be a family member, company employee or outside individual. Private sales are called “off-market” deals. Brokered sales, on the other hand, involve an intermediary — either a business broker or investment banker. They bring buyers to the table who you’ve likely never met before and dub these transactions as “on-market” deals. There are pros and cons with each option — let’s discuss them. The upsides of a private sale are that of Canadian business it’s faster, saves you money and keeps owners have a formal, you in control. Omitting the need to written succession prep marketing materials and launch a plan formal bidding process can save you months. Further, with no intermediaries involved, every dollar goes in your pocket, save what you pay your lawyer and in taxes. You also get to steer the deal in the direction you want. You can pause and resume the process as many
9%
DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
15
BUSINESS STRATEGY
39%
Owners that say their business is overly dependent on them to keep running. Source: Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 2023
“Exiting your business is always a more complex undertaking than anyone would like it to be. In fact, 54 percent of owners struggle to find a suitable buyer or successor. The good news is that you carry more power than you know in influencing the outcome. By taking steps early on to define your ideal transaction and mapping a plan to get there, you can eliminate much of the headache that comes with a rushed sale.” 16
That doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take today to set yourself up for a smooth and financially rewarding sale. Look at your business from the outside, putting yourself in a buyer’s shoes. Imagine they come from a different industry than yours (very common, as there are only so many “strategic” buyers on the market). What do they need to see to gain confidence in the business’s past and future performance? Owner dependency is a major red flag, but you’re in good company if this sounds like you. According to CFIB, 39 percent of operators say their business is overly dependent on them as an owner. We’ve touched on other common issues above. Audit your business for these pitfalls and put an action plan in place to address them — you’ll thank yourself later. Exiting your business is always a more complex undertaking than anyone would like it to be. In fact, 54 percent of owners struggle to find a suitable buyer or successor, the CFIB reports. The good news is that you carry more power than you know in influencing the outcome. By taking steps early on to define
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
your ideal transaction and mapping a plan to get there, you can eliminate much of the headache that comes with a rushed sale. I hope this article has brought clarity to the intimidating topic of succession planning for you. If you’re left with more questions than answers, talk to a trusted source. Your lawyer, accountant and entrepreneurial peers are great sources of information. You’re now armed to craft an exit plan that gets you to retirement earlier, with more money and a clear head. Until then, enjoy the ride!
Christian comes from a family of entrepreneurs and aspires to purchase a company himself soon. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University, he went on to work in the consulting and then private equity worlds, where he found as much enjoyment in the client-facing work as the technical analysis. Highland Partners is his personal venture and the brand under which he is searching for his match.
CPECN.COM
PHOTO: ©DIGITALPOCHI / ADOBE STOCK
times as you wish, pivot as needed and decide terms as you see fit. The drawbacks of a private sale are its lack of reach, buyer vetting challenges and process risks. Since you’re entertaining one or limited offers, you won’t know if there’s a higher bidder out there. With the offers you do receive, you won’t be as capable a judge compared to an M&A professional. This is crucial with respect to the buyer’s financing — is it already secured, or will they find themselves scrambling at the eleventh hour? Finally, you risk making a misstep in the process without these professionals, who’ve been through the wringer many times, representing many different clients. The pros of a brokered sale are its access to buyers, objective valuation support and presence of a negotiation buffer. Brokers won’t only cast a wide buyer net (often with national and international reach) — they’ll also work with you to build a compelling material package and present it in the best possible light. Brokers will also coach you through valuation and remove the unknowns surrounding its worth. When it comes time to negotiate, they act as a healthy buffer between you and the buyer, navigating with experience and removing emotion. The cons are the retainer fees, success fees and reduced control. To get started, most brokers require an upfront retainer. If you back out at a later point — say, because you want to switch brokers — this will be a sunk cost. That is, if you’re allowed to switch brokers. Your contract could include an exclusivity clause, locking you into an engagement with that broker for a period. Loss of control is the last trade-off — be ready for them to steer the ship (mind you, this is what you’re paying them to do). If you’re still far, far away from your last day at work, I’m glad to hear it.
INDUSTRIAL SECURITY
PUMPING DATA Surveillance, SCADA and the slippery ethics of flow control. By Claudiu Popa
I
REMOTE EQUIPMENT IS USEFUL BECAUSE IT IS REMOTE Canada’s water sector illustrates the issue particularly well. The Cyber Centre describes large Canadian water systems as geographically distributed industrial environments that use SCADA and IIoT devices to manage pumps, valves and gates while monitoring flow and chemical conditions. It also points to aging infrastructure, limited resources and shortages of cybersecurity expertise as persistent challenges. That is not unusual. A pumping station exists where the process requires it, not where a cybersecurity architect would ideally put it. A remote site may rely on old PLC hardware, a cellular modem and a systems integrator who knows more about the configuration than anybody currently employed by the operator. Those compromises are understandable. The danger begins when operational necessity quietly becomes an excuse for permanent exposure. In July 2026, CISA warned that attacks against PLCs in the water and wastewater sec-
tor had increased significantly. Attackers were changing passwords to lock out operators and changing PLC IP addresses, forcing some affected organizations into manual operation and contributing to boil-water notices. CISA specifically warned about cellular modems installed by operators, vendors or integrators that might not appear in normal asset inventories. A similar pattern had already appeared in 2024, when pro-Russia hacktivists manipulated internet-exposed HMIs at water facilities. According to CISA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, attackers changed set points for pumps and blowers, disabled alarms and altered administrator passwords, forcing operators to fall back to manual control. These are not examples of somebody inventing a new kind of cyberweapon. They are examples of ordinary industrial equipment becoming reachable in ways its original designers never intended.
WE PROTECT THE SEAL BUT FORGET THE SIGNAL The fluid-handling industry understands leakage exceptionally well. Consider how much attention goes into a critical fitting or seal. Materials matter. Pressure matters. Installation matters. Compatibility matters. Maintenance history matters. In CPECN’s own coverage of FPSO fluid systems, the consequences of mixing incompatible fitting components were described in terms of reduced sealing effectiveness, fatigue risk, worker safety and production loss. Nobody would respond to a questionable fitting by saying, “It seems to be holding, so let’s assume the engineering is fine.” Yet organizations can be remarkably relaxed
PHOTO: ©HANZ013 / ADOBE STOCK
n October 2025, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and the RCMP disclosed an incident at a Canadian water facility where someone tampered with water-pressure values and degraded service to the community. There was nothing particularly cinematic about the description. No artificial intelligence had taken over the water plant. Nobody announced an imminent apocalypse. A value inside an industrial control environment was changed, and a service in the physical world suffered as a result. Anyone working with pumps, valves, tanks or SCADA systems should find the ordinariness of that incident more troubling than the Hollywood version. Pumps are wonderfully literal pieces of machinery. Under the right process conditions, they move fluid where we tell them to move it. Increasingly, however, the decision to start, stop or change what that pump is doing is based on information travelling through networks, gateways, controllers and remote monitoring platforms. At that point, fluid handling also becomes data handling. The industry has embraced that transition for very good reasons. Nobody wants to drive
80 kilometres to check a gauge that can be read securely from a control room. Municipal water operators need visibility across large distribution networks. Oil and gas operators supervise remote assets. Plants monitor pressure, flow, seal condition, vibration, motor current and tank levels because the information improves reliability and can expose a problem before the floor becomes wet and management becomes interested. The benefits are real. The question is whether we have become as disciplined about containing data as we are about containing fluids.
DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
17
INDUSTRIAL SECURITY
PRIVACY LAW IS NOT AN INDUSTRIALDATA POLICY This is also where the word privacy can cause confusion. Canada’s PIPEDA governs personal information collected, used or disclosed in commercial activities. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner defines personal information as information about an identifiable individual. That is important protection, but it does not mean PIPEDA is a general
“What deserves more attention is the fact that every improvement in legitimate visibility creates a potential improvement in illegitimate visibility if access is poorly governed. The sensible conclusion is not that remote connectivity should be prohibited. It is that convenience must be mediated.” 18
law governing every piece of industrial telemetry. Pressure data, pump operating history or tank levels may be extremely valuable to a company without being personal information at all. An operator therefore should not assume that the privacy function has automatically solved the problem of who may use operational telemetry and for what purpose. Other protections may apply, including contracts, confidentiality obligations, intellectual-property rights, cybersecurity requirements and sector-specific regulation. The point is that industrial data requires deliberate governance of its own. If the telemetry describes the plant rather than a person, somebody still has to decide who is entitled to see it.
MONITORING IS USEFUL, BUT VISIBILITY WORKS BOTH WAY The argument for remote monitoring is overwhelmingly practical. Connected pumps can reduce travel, shorten maintenance response times and provide warning of developing failures. A SCADA system can give one operator awareness of equipment distributed across kilometres of infrastructure. What deserves more attention is the fact that every improvement in legitimate visibility creates a potential improvement in illegitimate visibility if access is poorly governed. The 2025 SANS State of ICS/OT Security study found that about 22 percent of surveyed organizations had experienced an ICS or OT cybersecurity incident in the previous year. Half of those incidents began through external
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
connectivity or remote access, while only about 13 percent of organizations reported full visibility across the complete ICS Cyber Kill Chain. Remote and unmanned sites were among the areas where monitoring was weakest. That combination matters for pumping operations because remote facilities naturally depend on remote access. The sensible conclusion is not that remote connectivity should be prohibited. It is that convenience must be mediated. A PLC should not be directly exposed to the internet when access can pass through a controlled gateway. Vendor accounts should be individually authenticated and retired when no longer required. Sessions should be logged, and critical configuration changes should be attributable to somebody who was authorized to make them. These controls are not unusually sophisticated. The Cyber Centre’s own readiness goals recommend network segmentation, strong encryption for data in transit, limits on OT connections to the public internet and documentation of device configurations.
KEEP SAFETY CLOSER TO THE PROCESS There is one principle I would apply particularly aggressively to fluid handling: remote convenience should never eliminate local resilience. A cloud outage should not make a pump unsafe. Loss of a vendor connection should not eliminate local control. A remote dashboard should not become the only trustworthy source for a safety-critical process value. If the network disappears, operators should still have a practical way to understand what the CPECN.COM
PHOTO: ©NATALIYA / ADOBE STOCK
about the information leaving the same system. A modern pumping environment may generate flow data, tank levels, valve positions, alarm histories, maintenance records, pressure trends, equipment-health scores and energy information. One value may appear harmless. A year’s worth of them can describe the operating behaviour of a facility with surprising accuracy. It can reveal when production rises and falls, which assets are struggling, how often a site shuts down, when storage approaches capacity and which alarms recur. In other words, telemetry is not merely technical exhaust. It can be commercially sensitive information about how an operation works. The problem becomes more complicated when that information leaves the site through a vendor service, remote analytics platform or cloud-based monitoring system. At that point the operator needs to understand more than the pump specification. The contract should make clear what information the service provider receives, where it is stored, how long it is retained, whether subcontractors can access it, whether it can be reused for analytics or model training, and what happens to historical data when the commercial relationship ends. These are not accusations against equipment vendors. They are ordinary due-diligence questions that somehow become less ordinary once the asset has an Ethernet port.
equipment is doing and keep essential processes within safe limits. This principle has become more visible in official guidance. In July, the Cyber Centre joined international partners in recommending that critical-infrastructure organizations prepare to isolate vital OT systems from other networks for an extended period during serious cyber incidents. The guidance is explicitly about maintaining essential functions when connected environments can no longer be trusted. Manual capability is sometimes treated as a backward step in highly automated operations. It is nothing of the sort. It is recognition that resilient systems are designed around failure instead of surprise.
wrong opening. We specify seals, fittings and materials, measure pressure, inspect equipment and investigate leaks because uncontrolled flow has consequences. Industrial data deserves the same seriousness. A mechanical seal that leaks is considered a defect. A connected system that casually exposes the operating state of the plant should not receive a more generous engineering standard simply because nothing appears on the floor. Pumps move fluid. SCADA moves informa-
tion about that fluid.Modern fluid handling depends on protecting both. Claudiu Popa is a published author, industrial cybersecurity auditor and speaker, and leader at OT Security Canada. As CEO of Informatica he advises on risk, policy and compliance, particularly where operations at scale meet emerging risk. Feedback and commentary are always welcomed at SecurityandPrivacy.ca and www.OTSEC.ca.
THE REGULATORY PICTURE HAS CHANGED, BUT GAPS REMAIN Canada’s cyber-regulatory landscape also changed in June when Bill C-8 received Royal Assent. The resulting Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act establishes a regulatory framework for designated operators in federally regulated finance, telecommunications, energy and transportation sectors. Implementation is being phased in. That is significant, particularly for parts of Canada’s energy infrastructure. It is not, however, a universal industrial cybersecurity law. The Cyber Centre’s own 2025 alert noted that sectors such as water, food and manufacturing can fall into areas where cybersecurity is not comprehensively covered by regulatory oversight. Physics does not care about that distinction. A manipulated pressure value behaves exactly the same way whether the organization involved happens to sit inside a federal regulatory framework or outside it. That leaves operators with a familiar responsibility: manage the risk because the risk exists, not merely because somebody has written a rule about it. SEALING THE OTHER LEAK The practical response begins with understanding the entire data path around critical pumping systems. Operators need to know which remote connections exist, what information leaves each site, where it travels, who can reach it and whether a monitoring connection can also change process settings. Control and observation should be separated wherever practical. The ability to view a pump’s operating state does not automatically require the ability to alter it. Remote-access privileges should be limited to the work being performed, and contracts for connected services should specify how operational data may be stored, reused and shared. None of this requires assuming that every vendor, contractor or cloud platform is waiting to steal the contents of your historian. It requires treating telemetry as an industrial asset. We have spent generations getting good at preventing fluids from escaping through the CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
19 CPE_Cameron_Dec26_CSA.indd 1
2026-10-15 1:39 PM
PROCESS CONTROL
CATCHING MOISTURE DRIFT
strategy using near-infrared measurements traceable to laboratory reference methods, rapid at-line checks and continuous online or inline monitoring can help Canadian food manufacturers detect moisture drift before it causes product to be held or wasted. In food production, controlling moisture is critical because even relatively small changes can affect product consistency, processing performance, shelf life, package weight and finished product quality. For this reason, most Canadian manufacturers already test moisture at some point in production. Moisture content, however, is not the only factor. A moisture result can fall exactly where expected and still leave questions about product stability. Water activity, or Aw, addresses how much of that water is available to support microbial growth or contribute to other changes that affect quality and shelf life. Depending on the product, that can matter just as much as the moisture number itself. Formulation complicates the relationship. Sugar, salt, proteins, starches and other ingredients all hold water differently, so the same moisture content does not necessarily produce the same Aw. Two products can test at nearly the same moisture level and still have very different amounts of available water. Knowing what needs to be measured, however, is only part of the issue. The other is when the result becomes available. A highly accurate moisture or Aw result is still useful, but if it arrives after the product has already moved through another stage of production, it may be too late to make an adjustment.
A
20
A traditional laboratory method may provide a highly accurate result, but the sample must still be collected, prepared and tested. By the time the result confirms that moisture has drifted outside the acceptable range, the product may have already moved to the next production stage. Where Aw is also important, the same timing issue applies: a result received too late may limit the opportunity to make a process adjustment. To detect these changes earlier, Canadian manufacturers can use a tiered strategy built on near-infrared (NIR) measurements calibrated to established laboratory reference methods, with rapid testing at-line and continuous online or inline monitoring. In this way, the laboratory establishes the reference point, while faster measurements closer to production provide information soon enough to make an adjustment. “NIR moisture meters allow very accurate instant measurement of solids, pastes, and liquids without contact or sample preparation,” says John Bogart, managing director of Kett U.S. “Once the meter has been calibrated against the lab or production standard, the calibration is stored in the device so no calibration is required in the field. Measurements are fully traceable to the original measurement method.” Near-infrared technology can be used in desktop, handheld, online and inline configurations, with measurements available in seconds. The NIR measurements can be tied to an established laboratory reference method through calibration for direct traceability. Once developed, that calibration can be stored and used for routine measurement without repeating the primary reference method for each reading. As a result, manufacturers can
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
use NIR measurements traceable to the laboratory reference method closer to production to detect drift earlier and adjust while there is still time to affect the product being produced.
THE ROLES OF LABORATORY, ATLINE, ONLINE AND INLINE TESTING Laboratory reference methods establish the values used to calibrate faster measurement technologies. Methods such as Loss on Drying or Karl Fischer are highly accurate but can take 15 minutes to several hours. That may be acceptable for final verification, but it is often too slow for production adjustments. By the time the result is available, a considerable amount of product may already have been produced. At-line testing essentially moves the measurement closer to production. An operator can collect a sample before or after a critical processing step and use a desktop NIR instrument located nearby to obtain a reading in seconds. The faster result allows operators to increase the frequency of testing and identify moisture drift sooner. Instead of waiting for a sample to move through the laboratory workflow, the measurement is being made close enough to production for the information to still affect what happens next. There are also situations where it makes more sense to bring the instrument to the product. Handheld NIR instruments can be used
for spot checks at receiving, near the production line, before or after processing, or on finished product, providing a moisture reading without direct contact or sample preparation. “This gives manufacturers more flexibility in where moisture is checked. Incoming ingredients can be tested before they enter production, material can be checked before, during, or after a critical processing step, and additional measurements can be taken if operators suspect the process is beginning to change,” says Bogart. Online and inline testing take this a step further by eliminating the need for an operator to periodically collect and test a sample. An online instrument can continuously measure product as it moves through production, while an inline sensor is integrated directly into the process stream. An online NIR composition analyzer, for example, is designed for online composition analysis during production. In addition to moisture, the instrument can be calibrated to simultaneously track a product-specific Aw value continuously, giving manufacturers real-time visibility into both total water and the corresponding water availability as product moves through the line. Inline NIR analyzers can use fibre-optic probes to collect continuous composition data inside equipment such as dryers, conCPECN.COM
PHOTO: ©IPOGUZ / ADOBE STOCK
Faster at-line, online and inline measurements can help food processors identify changes while there is still time to adjust the process. By Ethan Elliott
veying lines and liquid streams. This extends changes are identified, the sooner operators can duct as much testing as required, with full confithe same basic strategy into areas where an respond. Faster at-line measurements narrow that dence in the results, each and every time,” says open-path online instrument may not have window, while continuous online or inline mon- Bogart. itoring can show changes as production is occur“A faster reading is a quicker, more efficient direct access to the product. way of finding out there is a problem,” he adds. The distinction is important because per- ring. More frequent testing also provides additional “When the measurement is tied to a defined reiodic testing, even when completed in seconds, still provides only a snapshot of the measurement points, making it easier to identify sponse, it becomes a tool for controlling the process at that moment. Continuous mon- when the process started to drift. Material that process before the moisture deviation affects itoring provides a clearer picture of the direc- might otherwise require rework can potentially be significantly more product.” tion the process is moving and can identify a kept within specification, while the amount of developing trend before the product moves product that must be held or discarded is reduced. Ethan Elliott is a technical writer that specializes “The key is to cost-effectively be able to con- in industrial technologies. outside the acceptable range.
WHERE TO ESTABLISH MOISTURE-CONTROL POINTS According to Bogart, moisture should ideally be measured where it is most likely to change, where variation entering the process can create problems later and where there is still an opportunity to make an adjustment before more product is produced. For many Canadian food manufacturers, the first control point is receiving. Raw ingredients can vary in moisture by supplier, season, storage conditions or shipment. If that variation is not identified before production, it can affect formulation and processing downstream. A rapid handheld or desktop measurement at receiving can identify the problem before the material enters the process. Moisture-control points can also be established before, during and after critical steps such as mixing, drying, baking, cooking, cooling or coating. A measurement before a dryer or oven establishes incoming moisture; a second measurement shows whether the target was achieved. “Control points should be located where operators and automation can still act on the information. Measuring closer to where moisture changes allows adjustments to temperature, airflow, residence time, feed rate, or line speed before significantly more product is affected,” says Bogart. The final control point is often before packaging or release. At this stage, moisture testing can confirm that the finished product is within specification for factors such as consistency, shelf stability and package weight. “Not every control point requires the same type or frequency of measurement,” says Bogart. “A relatively stable portion of the process may only require periodic handheld or desktop checks, while a critical step where moisture can change rapidly may justify continuous online or inline monitoring.” FASTER FEEDBACK REDUCES REWORK AND HELD PRODUCT For products where Aw is also important, NIR can be calibrated against product-specific Aw reference values and used to track changes associated with production. When moisture begins to drift outside the acceptable range, the amount of product affected often depends on how quickly the problem is discovered. The sooner moisture CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
SALES CORP
We Know Pumps!
Chemical Metering Solutions Most pumps and parts shipped from stock Diaphragm, Peristaltic, Gear, Vane Pumps.
Metering Pump Specialists Access our complete line at:
www.VissersSales.com
Tel: 905-841-4073 Fax: 905-841-4018 1-800-367-4180
21 CPE_Visser_Metering_June26_CSA.indd 1
2026-01-06 1:48 PM
PRODUCTS
WAGO INTRODUCES SECURE COMPACT CONTROLLER FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION WAGO has introduced the Compact Controller 100 Secure for industrial automation and energy applications. The controller incorporates cybersecurity features including SSH and SSL/TLS encryption, a built-in firewall, VPN capability, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 support. The company said the controller is Cyber Resilience Act ready and was developed in accordance with IEC 62443-4-2 requirements. The Compact Controller 100 Secure includes eight digital inputs and eight configurable digital channels that can operate as inputs or outputs. Two isolated RS-485 ports support communication with energy meters and field devices using Modbus RTU. Communication protocols include OPC UA, Modbus TCP and MQTT. The controller also supports IEEE 2030.5, IEEE 1547 and SunSpec Modbus 700 for distributed energy and microgrid applications. Programming is supported through CODESYS 3.5 and IEC 61131-3 programming languages. An integrated web server supports HTML5-based visualization. www.wago.com
CONTROLAIR RELEASES VOLUME BOOSTER FOR PNEUMATIC VALVE ACTUATORS ControlAir has released the Type 625 Volume Booster, a pneumatic relay designed to improve response times for pneumatic control valve actuators. Installed between a valve positioner and pneumatic actuator, the booster increases available airflow to reduce actuator positioning time. An adjustable bypass allows users to tune actuator response and stability 22
for different actuator sizes and operating requirements. The unit provides a 1:1 signal-tooutput pressure ratio with supply and signal pressures up to 150 psig (10 bar). Forward and exhaust flow coefficients are rated at Cv 1.5. Output accuracy is rated at one per cent of a 100 psig output span, with maximum hysteresis of one per cent. The Type 625 is suitable for diaphragm and piston actuators, with configurations available for operating temperatures ranging from -62 F (-52 C) to 284 F (140 C). Applications include process control valves, oil and gas equipment, chemical processing and power generation. www.controlair.com
MUNSON INTRODUCES PLOUGH BLENDER FOR DIFFICULT BULK MATERIALS Munson Machinery has introduced the Model HB-48-SSCYL Cylindrical Plough Blender for fibrous, interlocking, dense and moist or oily bulk materials. The blender handles batches up to 2 m³ and uses a solid agitator shaft fitted with wedge-shaped plough blades. According to the company, the blades rotate approximately four times faster than agitators used in conventional trough-style ribbon, paddle or plough blenders. The mixing action suspends material throughout the cylindrical vessel to distribute materials with different particle sizes, shapes and bulk densities. Optional injection ports allow liquid ingredients to be added during blending. The unit is constructed from 304 stainless steel and uses a 110 kW gear-motor drive. It is configured with nine charging ports, three side-access doors, two discharge ports and automated controls. Options include sanitary construction, high-speed choppers and ASME-certified jackets. www.munsonmachinery.com VERMES, DROPTICAL COMBINE MICRODISPENSING WITH OPTICAL PROCESS MONITORING VERMES Microdispensing and
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
droptical, in collaboration with MOL Solutions, have developed an integrated system combining contact-free microdispensing with optical process monitoring. The optical technology analyzes droplets after they leave the dispensing nozzle, measuring applied volume and identifying process deviations including satellite droplets and material buildup at the nozzle. The companies said the system provides feedback before errors become visible during downstream inspection or after curing. The system can be used during process development to evaluate dispensing parameters and compare settings. Stroboscopic image acquisition also enables measurement of light-sensitive liquids. Measurement results can be used to adjust dispensing-system parameters and media pressure. The companies are developing the technology toward closed-loop control, where optical monitoring could support process adjustments within defined tolerance limits. Applications include processes requiring real-time monitoring of dispensed volume, droplet formation and nozzle condition. www.vermes.com
UBITO INTRODUCES BATTERYFREE WIEGAND SENSING COMPONENTS UBITO has introduced a new generation of Wiegand sensors, along with the UBICYCL controller chip and UBIREV counting module, for detecting and counting mechanical movement. Wiegand sensors respond to
changes in an external magnetic field by producing pulses of electric current. The pulse strength remains substantially constant regardless of how quickly or slowly the magnetic field changes, allowing the sensors to count shaft rotations at different speeds. The new sensors have increased sensitivity compared with previous versions, allowing them to be mounted alongside a multi-pole magnet on a rotating shaft rather than only along the shaft axis. The configuration can also generate multiple signal pulses for each shaft rotation. The UBICYCL ASIC functions as a counting register and operates using energy harvested from the Wiegand sensor, eliminating the need for an external power source or backup battery. UBITO has combined the sensor and chip in its UBIREV counting module for applications including rotary encoders and fluid meters. www.ubito.com
BEST PROCESS SOLUTIONS OFFERS ROTARY ELECTRIC VIBRATORS FOR BULK MATERIAL HANDLING Best Process Solutions (BPS) offers a line of heavy-duty rotary electric vibrators and drives for bins, hoppers, chutes, screeners, vibratory feeders, conveyors and tables. The units provide vibratory force ranging from 30 lb. to more than 40,000 lb. and are available in 3,600-, 1,800-, 1,200- and 900-rpm models. Motor sizes range from 1/50 hp to 17½ hp. The dust-tight and splash-proof motors use ductile-iron castings, steel end covers and high-alloy fasteners for use in industrial environments exposed to dirt, rain and snow. Units can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Applications include bulk-material handling and dry processing in industries including chemicals, food, aggregates and recycling. www.bpsvibes.com CPECN.COM
DECEMBER 2026 | CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS
23
Content Solutions For Your Material Handling Business
Amplify Content Studio is a full-service custom content studio, helping companies share their story, build brand awareness and garner trust through original content. There are so many ways to reach a target audience. We’ll craft you content for any medium: • Thought leadership – long-form or short-form articles • Blogs, whitepapers, infographics and case studies • Webinars, podcasts and video • Tradeshow marketing content, with in-house commercial printing services • Automated content marketing supported by first-party data ....and so much more!
Connect with an account manager or scan to learn more
Pat Lorusso
T: 416-518-5509 plorusso@annexbusinessmedia.com
24
CANADIAN PROCESS EQUIPMENT & CONTROL NEWS | DECEMBER 2026
AmplifyByAnnex.com CPECN.COM