Bulk solids handling and processing takes center stage at the 2025 International Powder and Bulk Solids Conference & Exhibition amid economic and tariff uncertainty.
A panel of NFPA combustible dust committee members discusses the new NFPA 660 Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulates
The International Powder and Bulk Solids Conference & Exhibition began Tuesday, April 29, at the Donald E. Stephens convention center in Rosemont, IL, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s tariff policy and its impact on the US economy.
The show’s opening keynote presentation titled “The Weight of Responsibility — Ethics in Engineering was presented by Professor Ursula Emery-McClure of Kansas State University. The presentation covered the code of ethics engineers must follow and how to identify elements in projects that demand ethical consideration.
Courtesy of Nate Todd
Dave Barnes of Progressive Products shows the company's new WearSmart pneumatic conveying elbow that provides an external alert when the elbow is nearly worn through from abrasion to prevent blowouts and minimize downtime.
On the Center Stage in the exhibit hall, Chris Cloney of Dust Safety Science moderated a panel discussion on NFPA 660, Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulates. Panelists included NFPA staff liaison Laura Moreno and NFPA combustible dust technical committee chairs Ashok Dastidar of Fauske & Associates, Tim Myers of Exponent, and Jason Reason of Airdusco EDS. The conversation covered the purpose and layout of the new consolidated standard as well as key differences from the previous fundamentals and industry-specific standards.
Also on the Center Stage, Kristen Kazarian, managing editor of Powder & Bulk Solids, discussed issues currently impacting the industry, including tariffs, worker shortages, AI, battery manufacturing, microplastics, recycling, and the movement toward “natural” food colors and ingredients.
Courtesy of Nate Todd
Scott Bonine of BinMaster demonstrates the BMRX-300 rotary level switch. The switch's bright LED turns from green to red to indicate when the bin is full or empty, depending on the setting.
Traffic was brisk on the show floor, with both exhibitors and attendees generally optimistic about the coming year but not without some measure of caution. “In 2023, it was interest rates. In 2024, it was the election. This year it’s tariffs,” said President and CEO of GEMCO Casey Bickhardt. “But we’ve had tons of customers come into our booth today.”
The Powder Show conference continues Wednesday, starting with a keynote panel discussion on women in processing at 8 am and concluding with a ticketed networking event at nearby Crust Brewing from 6:30-8:30 pm.
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