Update on APL market survey
Ethernet APL is a pioneering technology for the digitalization of the process industry. The availability of field devices and components is one of the key aspects for industrial acceptance and introduction. This article summarizes the results of an updated survey on device availability, which was conducted in cooperation with NAMUR and ZVEI.
The results of the APL market study are also available for free download.
APL task force
Ethernet APL is seen as a crucial step for the digitalization of the field level in the process industry. While several technologies are working together on a technical level to make this vision a reality and have already been successfully tested on a laboratory scale, the availability of field devices and components on the market is an essential prerequisite for industrial rollout and the associated acceptance.
To support this rollout, NAMUR set up a special APL task force at the end of 2022. This group coordinates APL-related activities within NAMUR and deals with non-technical aspects that are necessary for practical implementation in industry. The task force is made up of representatives from companies such as BASF, Bayer, Bilfinger, Covestro, Dow, Evonik, ExxonMobil and Lanxess.
As mentioned above, one of the key questions for end users is what equipment and components for APL-technology will be available and when. This is a significant factor in deciding whether or not to even discuss Ethernet-APL-technology for a project or not.
Market survey updated with additional participants
In the past, there has been a lack of transparency about vendors APL roadmaps. Hence, a decision was made to collect and structure this information in a systematic and concise way, and to make it available to the community as a whole through a neutral party. Therefore, atp magazin, NAMUR, and ZVEI (the German Electro and Digital Industry Association) joined forces to conduct a market survey on Ethernet-APL. These initial results of the market survey were published in the issue 09/2023 of the atp magazin and covered the following areas:
- Ethernet-APL field devices,
- Ethernet-APL infrastructure components (field switches),
- Ethernet-APL features of distributed control systems (DCS), and
- Ethernet-APL-related features for Asset Management Systems (AMS).
In the context of the ACHEMA trade fair and the fact that Ethernet-APL will be a prominent topic at many of the manufacturers’ stands, the three partners decided to update the original survey. The update should not only include the latest developments and an update of the original roadmaps, but also shed light on further technical features that users can expect in the future. These include, for example, the application of Ethernet-APL within the safety domain using the PROFIsafe protocol. Furthermore, the survey form was not only sent to the companies that had already been invited to the first round, but several additional providers were also contacted.
The results of the APL market survey can be downloaded free of charge here.
