ABB Launched Dust Monitor for Hazardous Environments
Manufacturers in high-risk industrial zones can now utilize new precision monitoring technology.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Manufacturing
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ABB has introduced the PFM 20 Ex, a specialized dust monitoring device certified for explosive atmospheres. The tool integrates measurement technology acquired through the 2024 purchase of Germany's Födisch Group.
Why it matters
The device provides a low-range detection capability required for strict environmental compliance in hazardous facilities. It expands the portfolio for ABB, which manages a 26,000-person automation workforce.
The PFM 20 Ex features a dust detection range of 7.5 mg/m³ and meets ATEX Zone 22 certification requirements. These specifications are part of a broader automation segment within ABB that employs 26,000 individuals.
The players
ABB
A multinational corporation that provides electrification and automation technologies across industrial sectors.
Födisch Group
A German manufacturer of environmental monitoring and measurement equipment acquired by ABB in 2024.
The details
The PFM 20 Ex utilizes integration capabilities from the Födisch Group acquisition to detect particulate emissions in potentially explosive industrial settings. Operations teams can manage this device through ABB’s existing service network and the digital My Measurement Assistant+ platform. The equipment is specifically designed to meet ATEX Zone 22 requirements, which mandate specialized safety protocols for environments where combustible dust may be present.
Timeline
2024: ABB completed the acquisition of the Födisch Group.
September 22, 2026: ABB launched the PFM 20 Ex device.
Market Landscape
The PFM 20 Ex launch follows the strict safety and compliance standards mandated by ATEX Zone 22 requirements. It reflects a wider consolidation trend in the industrial monitoring market, following the 2024 acquisition of Födisch Group by ABB.
Operators managing hazardous industrial sites should evaluate whether current emission monitors meet the 7.5 mg/m³ detection sensitivity required for newer environmental benchmarks. Maintenance teams should also determine if existing digital infrastructure is compatible with the My Measurement Assistant+ platform.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how ABB is centralizing specialized emission-tracking IP to solve for regulatory-driven equipment upgrades. Operators should review their facility's compliance certificates to see if aging sensors need to be replaced with ATEX Zone 22-certified units this year.
Further reading
For more on evolving industrial safety standards, visit the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Themachinemaker.
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