Four of the major electromagnetic flow meter manufacturers, Krohne, Endress+Hauser, ABB, and Siemens, have all put out genuinely significant news recently. Rather than cover them one at a time, here's all four side by side: what's actually new, what it replaces, and whether it plays nicely with meters you might already have on site.
Krohne: the IFC 400 signal converter
Announced on 29 May 2026, the IFC 400 is KROHNE's new 4-wire signal converter for electromagnetic flow measurement. Designed to work with existing OPTIFLUX and WATERFLUX sensor families rather than requiring a new primary sensor, it offers a retrofit-friendly upgrade path for many installed KROHNE electromagnetic flowmeters.
Its headline feature is Multi-Phase Operation (MPO), an intelligent signal-processing technology that maintains stable, repeatable measurements even when gas entrainment, suspended solids or electromagnetic interference would normally destabilise the signal. The converter also integrates OPTICHECK diagnostics, NAMUR NE 107 status indication, and Bluetooth-based configuration, monitoring and verification. Using the OPTICHECK Mobile App or a DTM, Level 0 and Level 1 verification can be performed while the meter remains in service, with a verification report generated automatically.
The IFC 400 is SIL2/3 certified and available in both compact and remote versions. It also includes Automated Partial Proof Testing with up to 75% test coverage, helping to reduce manual proof-testing effort and contributing to extended proof-test intervals in appropriately designed safety-instrumented systems.
Endress+Hauser: "0 x DN full bore" comes to Promag H
Endress+Hauser's "0 x DN full bore" technology isn't brand new, it's been available on the water-focused Promag W for six years, and later extended to Promag P for corrosive liquids and high-temperature industrial applications. What's new, per their May 2026 press release, is that it's now available across all four models of the Promag H series, the hygienic flowmeter range used in food, beverage, and life sciences applications, covering line sizes DN 40 to 150 (1½ to 6 inches).
The technology itself uses multiple measuring electrodes to read the flow profile across the entire pipe cross-section, generating a much denser dataset than a standard two-electrode meter, then applies digital signal processing to calculate a stable flow profile without needing any straight inlet or outlet pipe run. Endress+Hauser quote ±0.5% accuracy even directly behind pipe bends. For hygienic applications specifically, the sensor housing meets 3-A requirements, the lining is PFA and CIP/SIP-compatible, and the meter integrates via IO-Link with full access to Heartbeat Technology diagnostics, verification, and calibration interval optimisation. This is a factory-fitted option on new Promag H units rather than something retrofittable onto an already-installed meter.
ABB: ProcessMaster and AquaMaster consolidation
Worth flagging upfront: this ABB announcement dates from August 2024, so it isn't new, but it remains ABB's current electromagnetic flowmeter platform and is still highly relevant for anyone running earlier ProcessMaster, AquaMaster or WaterMaster instruments.
ABB simplified its electromagnetic flowmeter portfolio into two product families: ProcessMaster (FEP300 wafer and FET300 flanged models) for industrial and utility applications, and AquaMaster (FEW500 wafer and FET500 flanged models) for water abstraction, distribution and revenue metering. Both share a common technology platform, with common electronics, firmware, diagnostics and communication options.
A key improvement is the modular transmitter and sensor architecture. Compatible transmitters and sensors can be used together without factory pre-pairing, simplifying replacements and reducing spare parts requirements. ABB has also maintained compatibility with many previous-generation ABB electromagnetic flowmeters, providing a practical upgrade path that doesn't necessarily require replacing an entire installation at once.
Every model includes built-in IoT connectivity and supports a wide range of industrial communication protocols, making it easier to integrate flow, diagnostic and instrument health data into SCADA and asset management systems. The overall focus is less on reinventing electromagnetic flow measurement and more on simplifying maintenance, improving digital connectivity and providing a practical long-term upgrade path for existing ABB users.
Siemens: SITRANS FMT020
The SITRANS FMT020 is explicitly positioned as the successor to the long-running SITRANS MAG 5000 and MAG 6000 transmitters, built for smooth upgrades in both compact and remote mounting configurations with modular, easy-to-replace electronics. It pairs with SITRANS FMS500 for water and wastewater, FMS300 for general process applications, and FMS100 where high corrosion resistance and high-temperature tolerance are needed.
Standard accuracy is 0.4% of flow rate, with an optional high-accuracy calibration down to 0.2%. It measures flow, velocity, and conductivity simultaneously, with empty-pipe monitoring and built-in self-verification, plus support for external verification via the separate SITRANS Verificator tool with traceable reporting. Communication options cover HART, PROFINET, Profibus DP/PA, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, and Bluetooth. It also carries Siemens' EcoTech label, with up to 15% lower energy use than the previous generation.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Release | Replaces / extends | Retrofit-friendly? | Key differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krohne | IFC 400 converter | Pairs with existing OPTIFLUX/WATERFLUX ranges | Yes, transmitter only, keeps existing sensor | Multi-Phase Operation for unstable flow conditions |
| Endress+Hauser | Promag H, 0 x DN full bore | Extends existing tech from Promag W/P to all Promag H models | No, factory-fitted option on new units | Zero straight-run hygienic meter, 3-A compliant |
| ABB | ProcessMaster / AquaMaster | Consolidates previous ABB flowmeter portfolio | Yes, compatible with previous-generation ABB meters | Common platform, mix sensors/transmitters without pre-pairing |
| Siemens | SITRANS FMT020 | Successor to SITRANS MAG 5000/6000 | Yes, modular electronics for easy upgrade | Multi-protocol comms, EcoTech-certified efficiency |
What this means if you're already running one of these brands
The common thread across all four is that manufacturers are increasingly designing new transmitters to sit on top of existing sensor ranges rather than forcing a full sensor-and-transmitter replacement. Krohne's IFC 400 and Siemens' FMT020 are both explicitly built as upgrade paths for meters already in the ground. ABB's platform approach goes a step further, allowing sensors and transmitters to be mixed without pre-pairing. Endress+Hauser's release is the exception, it's a factory option on new Promag H units rather than something you can add to an existing meter, but it's a genuinely useful one if you're specifying a new hygienic-grade installation.
If you're not sure whether your existing meters are compatible with any of these, or which option actually makes sense for your site, that's exactly the kind of question worth putting to us before you order anything.