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Latest Episodes:

Future-Proofing Metals - The Backbone of Progress May 28, 2025

Show notes

Metals enable progress. They are essential to everything that shapes our daily lives, from infrastructure and transport to high technology. But with demand rising, how can the industry adapt to meet these needs in a responsible way? What steps will help to future-proof the sector? And why are automation, electrification and digitalization vital for the future of the metals industry?

In this episode, host Fran Scott will be joined by:
- Helena Malmqvist, Research Manager at Jernkontoret
- Frederik Esterhuizen, Metals Business Line Manager at ABB Process Industries
- Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK

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A Brief History of Industrial Automation and Control Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

The story of industrial automation begins with the Industrial Revolution, when machines first replaced human muscle, and extends to today’s advanced systems that operate some of the most complex industrial infrastructures on the planet.

In today’s bonus episode, we explore that evolution through the eyes of the control room operator – tracing their journey from hands-on manual control to high-level system optimization.

Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President of Process Automation Technology at ABB, joins host Fran Scott on the podcast to delve into automation’s engineering and innovating milestones.

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Reskilling Today's Industrial Workforce Apr 09, 2025

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The industrial workplace is evolving rapidly with increasing automation and digitalization of operations. How can organizations ensure that their existing workforce is not left behind? Why is it crucial for companies to upskill their existing workforce? How does empowering current employees with new skills benefit the next generation workforce?

Join podcast host Fran Scott, and April Whitson, Global Head of HR at ABB Process Industries, to delve deeper into the subject of upskilling the existing workforce as the world is changing.

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Driving Change - The People Behind The Energy Transition Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Technology plays a key role in accelerating the energy transition. Yet, the true driving force is people: without human courage, curiosity, and care, innovations would remain idle theory. Across industry sectors, people aren’t just adapting to change – they are leading it, pushing boundaries to create a better future. So, how can industry attract, develop, and retain the next generation of engineers and innovators to accelerate the future of the energy transition? And how can they balance this with the need to upskill and support current employees as they adapt to the demands of the digital age?

To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by:

Margareta Drzeniek, Managing Partner at HORIZON Group
April Whitson, Global Head of HR at ABB Process Industries
Kim Sunna, Production Manager at LKAB

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Truths and lies about... Carbon capture and storage (CCS) Dec 18, 2024

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Can CSS really help to combat the emissions from the hard-to-abate industries? What will the adoption of CCS in industry look like? How will policy play into the landscape of CCS development? What are the key aspects of the future of CCS and the role of the next generation in driving the energy transition?

Join podcast host Fran Scott, and Dr Colin Hale from Imperial College London to debunk some of the lies and discuss the truths about Carbon capture and storage (CCS).

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Get in touch if there’s a topic you want The Process Automation Podcast to explore in the next season. Or maybe you want to join us as an expert? Let us know by filling in the form here: The Process Automation Podcast — ABB Group

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Capture, Utilise, Store - Harnessing Carbon Emissions with CCS Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has an important role to play in the energy transition – especially in helping decarbonize traditional energy and industrial infrastructure.

CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and then transporting these, either by ship or pipeline, to be stored underground. But how can this technology help address industrial emissions at scale? And can innovations such as digital twins help advance the CCS technology?

To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by:
- Dr Colin Hale, Senior Teaching Fellow in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London
- Nigel Greatorex, Global Industry Business Manager of CCS at ABB Energy Industries
- Anjani Kumar, Vice President of CoFlow and Professional Services at CMG

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Get in touch here if there’s a topic you want The Process Automation Podcast to explore in our next season. Or perhaps you want to join us as an expert? Get in touch!

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Truths and Lies about... Remote Industrial Operations Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

How can remote operations reduce the need to be in hazardous environments and help improve workforce diversity? Do remote operations also contribute to reducing negative environmental impacts? And does this mean that in the future, human involvement on-site will decrease?

Join podcast host Fran Scott, and Sanjit Shewale, Global Head of Digital at ABB Process Industries, to debunk some of the lies and discuss the truths about remote industrial operations.

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Remote Industrial Operations – Beyond Distance Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

Many industrial facilities like mines, wind farms or marine vessels are often located in remote areas. Operating far from other infrastructure has its challenges, such as dealing with harsh weather conditions and ensuring that a qualified workforce is available at the right spot and time.

Remote, however, doesn’t always mean far away: crane operators at container terminals can work from a control room rather than high up in a crane, and in mines, blasting can be managed from a safe distance.

How can automation and digital technologies help address challenges in industrial sites that are hard to reach? And how can technology enhance safety and even open up opportunities for a more diverse workforce?

To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by:

Mårten Sjöström, Professor of Signal Processing at Mid Sweden University
Sanjit Shewale, Global Head of Digital at ABB Process Industries
Johannes Sikström, Section Manager Process Control and Analysis at Boliden

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Truths and Lies about... Scaling up Green Hydrogen Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

We return to look at Green Hydrogen and its potential to scale over the coming years. What do Hydrogen, Ammonia and Methanol have in common? What will it take to drive down the cost of Green Hydrogen production? And what role will technology play to make widespread adoption possible?
Join host, Fran Scott, and technology expert Ralph Burgener, Global Product Line Manager, High Power Rectifier at ABB to debunk some of the lies and discuss the truths about Green Hydrogen.

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Scaling Up Green Hydrogen – What Will it Take? Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

Green hydrogen has an important role to play in the global effort to achieve decarbonization goals. Produced using renewable energy, it offers the potential to help many industries move towards more sustainable operations.

However, there are also challenges to overcome, including bringing down the costs of production as well as further developing the necessary infrastructure.

In this episode, we will explore the question: Scaling up green hydrogen – what will it take?

To find answers, The Process Automation Podcast host Fran Scott is joined by:
- Alicia Eastman, Co-founder and Board Director of InterContinental Energy
- Ralph Burgener, Global Product Line Manager of High Power Rectifiers at ABB Process Industries
- Sundus Cordelia Ramli, CCO of Power-to-X at Topsoe
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