IEN Europe: LAPP is a family business with more than 60 years of experience in cables and integrated interconnect systems. You are a founding member of the Open DC Alliance (ODCA). What are the main benefits of this technological change for industrial users?
Dr. Krichel: With this commitment in the ODCA, we are, first and foremost, of course promoting the switch to direct current (DC) technology in industrial power grids, because it offers numerous advantages for industrial users. DC technology facilitates the efficient integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into the power grid, crucial for reducing carbon footprints. Additionally, DC systems lower resource consumption, particularly in copper usage for cabling, reducing costs and supporting environmental conservation. Another advantage is the reduction in feed-in power required by DC systems, which helps stabilize the power supply and enhances grid reliability. DC technology also contributes to more stable and resilient power grids, minimizing the risk of outages and ensuring continuous operation. The ODCA's promotion of an open system allows for greater flexibility and interoperability between components and systems, enabling industrial users to adapt and expand operations more easily. Overall, adopting DC technology represents a strategic move towards a more resourceefficient, cost-effective, and sustainable industrial future.
IEN Europe: When you look at (factory-)automation and other industrial sectors, are cabling and connectivity technologies not perceived as particularly exciting. How do you overcome these preconceptions when competing for increasingly scarce talent and skilled labour?
Dr. Krichel: Indeed, the perception that cables and connection technologies are not exciting can come into play when looking for talent and skilled workers. At LAPP, we address this by emphasising the critical role these technologies play in industrial innovation and sustainability. Have you ever considered all the places where cables and wires are installed or included?
Advances in cabling and connectivity are essential to automation, smart factories and the integration of renewable energy. By showcasing real-world applications and the impact of our work, we make the field more attractive.
We promote the exciting challenges and opportunities in this area through social media, industry events and partnerships with technology communities. By fostering a culture of innovation and highlighting our employees' contributions to transformative projects, we can change perceptions and attract dedicated people. Cable technologies are more attractive than you might think! In the connectivity industry, there is an innovative group of people and contacts on the customer side who appreciate the relevance of data and energy connections.
The LAPP brand also stands for high quality standards and the stable value system of a family business. This is how we attract people who are passionate about developing technologies in a family-owned company with a decentralised and international orientation. We work with universities and engage with students and offer a stable economic environment because cable and connectivity solutions are always in demand. We aim to attract candidates with our culture of collaboration and the opportunity to advance their own ideas. By investing in continuous learning, professional development and creating a dynamic work environment, we can attract and retain the professionals we need to drive innovation in our field.
IEN Europe: How do you see the challenges of moving towards a circular economy? What role can recycled materials play in the production of high quality industrial cables?
Dr. Krichel: Moving towards a circular economy presents challenges, especially in ensuring recycled materials meet industrial quality standards. For industrial cables, recycled plastics must match the durability, safety, and reliability of virgin materials. This is difficult due to the diverse properties and recycling requirements of plastics like PVC, PE, TPU, and PET. Recycled materials can reduce reliance on virgin raw materials and minimize environmental impact. Mechanical recycling processes can produce high-quality plastics for cable insulation, but require careful contamination management. Chemical recycling, though more energy-intensive and costly, breaks down mixed plastic waste into new, high-purity plastics. At LAPP, we explore using recycled materials in cable production, focusing on recycled content from our own waste and ensuring it meets quality standards. For instance, we investigate recycled plastics for filler cords, which have less stringent requirements but enhance sustainability. We also monitor market-ready recycling compounds to integrate into production when viable. Despite the complexity, the benefits of resource efficiency, cost savings, and environmental impact make transitioning to a circular economy crucial. By investing in advanced recycling technologies and rigorous quality control, we can incorporate recycled materials into high-quality industrial cables, supporting sustainability and performance.
IEN Europe: From IO-Link to private 5G networks wireless communication in production is growing. How will these trends affect your business model in the future?
Dr. Krichel: The growing adoption of wireless communication technologies, such as IO-Link and private 5G networks, is set to offer new solutions and improve current customer problems at LAPP. These advancements are transforming industrial automation by enabling more flexible, efficient, and reliable communication systems. However, the use of 5G networks in industrial grids is currently challenging and not progressing as expected. It remains a tech push, searching for real use cases. Many existing wireless technologies are easier to apply in today's manufacturing setups.
In specific applications, such as mobile machinery in agriculture or optimizing container localization and steering in harbors, 5G is already in use. At LAPP, we focus on "physical" connectivity solutions and will extend our offerings as soon as a technology and approach are needed for a comprehensive connectivity solution portfolio. We are pushing for Singlepair Ethernet as a promising technology to bring Ethernet from the cloud to the sensor and expanding our portfolio for industrial communications.
While technologies for data communication exist, the current focus is on data models, generating usable data lakes, and making data accessible for machinery. We are well-prepared and continuously observing developments. By staying at the forefront of these advancements, we can offer our customers cutting-edge solutions that improve their operational efficiency and productivity.
IEN Europe: Thank you for sharing these insights!
Exhibitor Hannover Messe 2025: Hall 11, Stand C15
