International Newsletter IDT | Issue 3 in 2026
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PTFE After Three Years of PFAS Debate:
What Is Clearer Now – and What Is Not.
Two developments are currently shaping the discussion around fluoropolymers.
The good news: the Dyneon site in Burgkirchen is set to continue operations as part of its acquisition by the Swiss Capmont Group. This means that well established materials such as TFM 1600 are likely to remain available going forward.
At the same time, the second ECHA consultation has concluded. The regulatory process continues, but a final decision on possible restrictions has not yet been made.
For operators, maintenance teams and technical decision-makers, practical questions are increasingly moving to the forefront: material availability, planning horizons and the evaluation of potential alternatives.
One key challenge remains: for many applications, there is still no equivalent replacement for PTFE.
What do we know today — and what remains uncertain? Our Technical Director, Jörg Skoda, shares his perspective on the current situation.
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From Certification to Demonstrated Competence
Why the Industry Is Rethinking Flange Assembly Qualification.
Anyone planning a turnaround faces the same question: how competent is the assembly crew — and how can you prove it?
Training programs are well established. What is becoming increasingly difficult is demonstrating competency consistently across contractors, sites and projects. International crews, rotating service providers and different assessment standards make it challenging to evaluate skills in a transparent and comparable way.
To address this challenge, IDT has developed two practical solutions.
flange.Pilot combines hands-on competency testing on a real test rig with fully digital assessment and documentation. Results are standardized, archived by project and available in multiple languages — a significant advantage for international assembly teams.
qs.Pilot provides real-time documentation of assembly activities and quality inspections throughout a turnaround. Project managers have continuous visibility into inspection status, open findings and overall project progress — without chasing paperwork after the fact.
Our experience from countless turnarounds shows that the reliability of a flange connection is usually determined long before the plant returns to operation. If you want to understand where your processes stand today, the best time to find out is before the next turnaround.
Questions about flange integrity management?
Michael Balcerek will be happy to help.
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Two Events, One Shared Theme.
At first glance, these two events could hardly be more different. Expoquimia in Barcelona is one of Southern Europe's leading trade fairs for the chemical industry, while MEORGA in Halle is firmly rooted in the process industries of Germany's chemical heartland.
Yet both events are focused on the same questions: How can emissions be reduced? How can plants operate safely and efficiently? And what role does sealing technology play in an increasingly regulated environment?
IDT will be exhibiting at both events for the first time this year.
Expoquimia, Barcelona
June 2–5, 2026
Hall 2, Booth D118
MEORGA, Halle (Saale)
June 17, 2026
Booth L3
Jörg Skoda, Technical Director at IDT, will present a technical paper: "Reducing Emissions: Sealing Technology for Environmentally Responsible Process Plants"
We look forward to meeting you in Barcelona or Halle.
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Local Support for International Markets.
Successfully delivering international projects requires more than a strong product portfolio. Operators and OEMs increasingly expect local support, technical expertise and reliable supply chains alongside product performance.
That is why IDT continues to invest in its international partner network.
In Scandinavia, our long-standing partnership with Steffca A/S has been further strengthened through a distribution agreement covering key segments of the Danish and Swedish process industries.
In South Korea, Jinsan Commercial Co., Ltd. has joined IDT's international partner network as our local distribution partner. The market's strong refinery and petrochemical base continue to drive demand for advanced low-emission sealing solutions.
For you, this means local contacts, on-site technical support and faster response times.
At the same time, collaboration with international OEMs continues to grow. Demand for low-emission sealing solutions meeting ISO 15848, API 622, API 624 and API 641 requirements is increasing across multiple markets.
If you'd like to discuss international markets, regional support, or partnership opportunities, Matthias Muehl would be glad to hear from you.
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Can Europe Keep Up with China Speed?
Innovation is one of Europe's favorite topics.
We talk about it constantly — in boardrooms, at conferences and in strategy papers. Yet when it comes to turning ideas into action, we often seem to struggle with our own success.
Prosperity creates stability. That's a good thing. But it can also make us cautious. Decisions take longer. Risks are analyzed from every angle. Ideas are refined, optimized and discussed — sometimes long before they are ever tested.
Recently, I've come across an interesting thought. What many people call "China Speed" may have less to do with culture and more to do with context.
In highly competitive environments, decisions happen faster because they have to. Companies experiment more because standing still is often the greater risk. Progress is driven not by perfect conditions, but by the necessity to move.
Perhaps that's the real question for Europe.
Not whether we have enough ideas.
Not whether we have enough talent.
But whether we are willing to act before every uncertainty has been removed.
Innovation needs curiosity, expertise and vision. But it also needs momentum. A willingness to experiment. And sometimes the courage to take the first step before the path is fully mapped out.
How do you balance stability with the need to keep moving forward?
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