Werner Worringen has been Industry Marketing Manager Analytical Solutions at Yokogawa Germany for some years now. During his time at the company, he has also been involved in a number of committees in the field of process analytics. He is a member of the extended executive board of the Arbeitskreis Prozessanalytik (Working Group for Process Analytics– AK PAT), which was formed in 2005 and now has more than 365 members. It is part of the Technical Group for Analytical Chemistry within the Gesellschaft deutscher Chemiker (German Chemical Society – GDCh), which works closely with DECHEMA (Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. – Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) – also in terms of EuroPACT.
Hello Werner, we’re almost there! EuroPACT will take place in Copenhagen in around two and a half months’ time, from 18 to 20 May. What does “EuroPACT” actually mean?
Worringen: That’s a good opening question. EuroPACT is the European Conference on Process Analytics and Control. So it’s about process analytics, and how it integrates into the process. Process analytics is a very dynamic field, and you might say it represents the navigation instrument throughout the process. But it’s only really effective if I can use it to intervene in the process and exercise control. So that’s where the “Control” in EuroPACT comes from. They belong together. It all starts with the process, and then we ask what navigation instrument we need to use for it.
What can visitors expect at this event?
Worringen: Visitors can expect a programme that covers the topics of novel PAT, the journey from PAT data to using PAT for monitoring, control & optimization, and PAT and digital communication structures (PAT is not an isolated topic). To sum it up in a few key words: An introductory programme by the University of Copenhagen with specialist talks forming the core of the event, plus a permanent poster exhibition and a manufacturer exhibition. And above all: endless networking. Everything else is on the DECHEMA website, including the full programme from early March.
The main driving force behind the German Process Analytics Colloquium is an active three-way dialogue between users, manufacturers and postgraduates. How does EuroPACT compare in that sense?
Worringen: It’s the same concept, but at a European level. The annual colloquium organised by AK PAT is an event for informal exchange and networking and open discussion of topics in the German-speaking region. It’s no exaggeration to call it an “active three-way dialogue”. EuroPACT aims to apply this concept to the European level and the European network. And there are involvements in and links to CPAC and APAC, for example, and other PAT-related organisations. So, let’s just call it a three-way PAT dialogue at the EU level.
And why is it being held in Denmark?
Worringen: As a European event, EuroPACT is held at alternating locations in Europe. This year, colleagues in Copenhagen are hosting it. Six years ago, Barcelona was the venue, and three years ago it was Berlin. EuroPACT 2020 is the first EuroPACT that I’m involved in, as interested visitor, as sponsor and exhibitor and also as part of the organisation team. EuroPACT in Berlin would have been the opportunity to play my part in this group. But I missed the event because of other activities and, yes, because I wasn’t paying enough attention, which I very much regretted afterwards. By doing this interview, I want to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen to other people.
Who organises EuroPACT?
Worringen: The organiser of EuroPACT is DECHEMA. The technical content is organised by an organisation team made up of AK PAT and PAT experts from the relevant countries.
Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to at EuroPACT?
Worringen: I’m particularly looking forward to seeing a growing network and expanding my PAT horizons. And obviously I’m looking forward to seeing Copenhagen at bit too. But most of all, I’m looking forward to collaborating with colleagues from AK PAT and the EuroPACT organisation team before and during the event. PAT is quite simply an exciting field.
