03-05-2025

Mission-critical flow control solutions from Valmet provides next level reliability

Industry-giant Valmet boasts an impressive array of topbrand automated on-off valves, control valves and controllers that are renowned for delivering longterm reliability in the most demanding applications. 

Valmet’s vast scope of expertise continues to grow. With a history in flow control dating back to the 1950s, it has long earned its spurs in sectors such as pulp and paper, bioproducts, oil and gas refining, mining and metals processing, chemicals and various other process industries. And coming up to date, Valmet is now meeting the needs of the energy transition.

Valmet’s strength in flow control is its range of products and services – including valves and valve automation – which are renowned for setting standards as regards quality, reliability and safety. Mr Kähkönen: “Let me start by highlighting our valve brands: Neles, Neles Easyflow, Jamesbury, Stonel, Valvcon and Flowrox. To say that these are established names hardly does them justice; these brands have been tried and trusted by our most discerning customers for decades!” Colleague Mr Pischke concurs. “In our industry, customers value company experience and long-term product reliability. We bring products to market that are based on field-proven technologies and have undergone rigorous testing in our state-of-the art laboratories. For example, products intended to be used in SIS applications are certified by independent third parties.”

This commitment to reliability ensures that Valmet’s customers can trust products such as the Neles 6D valves and Neles NDX 2.0 valve controller to perform consistently in any given application.

Ongoing innovation
Valmet leads the field in managing industrial fluid control, with ongoing innovation across all product lines. The Neles 6D ball valve family stands out as a prime example, showcasing the company’s dedication to creating reliable, high-performing equipment that meets the diverse needs of multiple industries.

One of the key innovations in the Neles 6D family is its ease of integration with smart technologies. “API 6DX actuators and smart controllers with advanced diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities can be easily integrated with the Neles 6D,” Mr Kähkönen explains. “This allows our customers to monitor valve performance in real-time, predict potential issues before they occur and optimise their maintenance schedules.”

The Neles 6D also stands out for its sustainable environmental performance. “These valves are designed to be fire safe and virtually emission-free,” Mr Pischke notes. “This makes them an excellent choice for customers in the growing renewable energy industry and hydrogen industry where safety and environmental concerns are paramount.”

To further enhance the customer experience, Valmet offers the Nelprof sizing and selection tool. “Whatever your process requirements, the free-to-use and fully secure Nelprof tool makes selecting the right valve easy. This software can thereby help you to maximise process efficiency, minimise raw material losses, avoid common mistakes in valve selection such as oversizing as well as optimise valve and actuator selection for specific needs,” Mr Kähkönen says. “Nelprof is part of our commitment to providing not just a product, but a complete solution that includes support throughout the valve’s entire lifecycle.”

“We’re not just focused on how our valves perform when they’re first installed. We consider the entire lifecycle, from manufacturing to end-of-life.”

Ease of maintenance
Continuing with the topic of innovation, Mr Pischke adds that Valmet takes ease of maintenance into account when designing valves and actuators. “Take the Neles XH ball valve, designed with serviceability in mind thanks to ease of maintenance and readily accessible wear parts. This reduces downtime for our customers and extends the overall lifecycle of the valve, further contributing to sustainability and reliability.”

A notable evolution in the Neles XH ball valve is its reduced size and weight. “We’ve managed to decrease the valve’s weight and dimensions without compromising on reliability, robustness or performance,” Mr Kähkönen explains. “The carbon footprint of the Neles XH is therefore significantly lower than traditional valves of similar capacity.

This aligns with our customers’ increasing focus on reducing their environmental impact across their supply chains.” “Operational safety is a given for any industrial valve,” Mr Pischke notes. “But with the Neles XH, we’ve taken it a step further by improving safety during manufacturing, transportation, handling and installation. This comprehensive approach to safety includes features like new detachable lifting mounts for larger valves, improving manoeuvrability and safety during installation.”

The Neles XH is particularly well-suited for demanding applications in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries. “We’ve also seen excellent performance in high-pressure, high-temperature hydrogen applications,” Mr Kähkönen reports.

Andreas Pischke
Global Industry Manager
Valmet Flow Control business line