In this interview, experts from Dynisco outline how mercury legislation affects industrial sensor users, distinguishing impacted technologies and implications for new purchases.
We speak with Frédéric Jaubert, Technical Director, EMEA, David Azevedo, Global Support Manager, Bill Desrosiers, Vice President, Business Development and Scott Williams, Global Marketing & Communications Manager, to learn more.
Recent coverage has caused some confusion around mercury-related regulations. From Dynisco’s perspective, what are the biggest misconceptions currently circulating in the market?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that mercury is being “immediately banned everywhere” and that all mercury-containing instruments are suddenly illegal to use. In reality, most regulations (particularly those aligned with the Minamata Convention) focus on phasing out the manufacture and new placement on the market of mercury-containing products, not forcing an abrupt shutdown of existing operations.
Another misconception is that compliant alternatives are unproven or technically inferior, which no longer reflects today’s sensor technologies. Dynisco is happy to provide guidance in selecting products that are adequate for all process conditions that utilize pressure measurement.
Image Credit: Remigiusz Gora/Shutterstock.com
Can you clarify what the latest mercury legislation actually means for industrial sensor users in practical terms?
When discussing the latest mercury legislation, it’s important to first clarify which sensor technologies are actually affected. The regulations primarily target certain melt pressure transducer devices that measure pressure directly from a high-temperature (“hot”) process and mechanically transfer that pressure to a cooler area where the sensing electronics can survive. Some legacy designs for these applications have historically relied on mercury as a fill medium.
By contrast, Dynisco industrial pressure sensors are in a different category altogether. These industrial sensors contain zero mercury and no other fill media, and they have been used reliably in industrial applications around the world for more than 70 years. When customers ask about the impact of mercury legislation on “industrial sensors,” this distinction is critical: standard industrial pressure sensors are not the focus of these restrictions.
For customers who do use melt pressure transducers, the legislation does not typically affect equipment that is already installed and operating. Instead, it mainly impacts new equipment purchases, imports, and sales going forward. In practical terms, this means the change is about planning and transition, not immediate disruption. Users should take the opportunity during normal maintenance cycles, system upgrades, or expansions to understand which products may become restricted and to evaluate compliant, non-mercury alternatives.
There are several non-mercury technologies available today for melt pressure applications, each with specific advantages and limitations depending on process conditions such as temperature, pressure range, response time, and mechanical constraints. The key is to understand the pros and cons of each mercury alternative solution and select the one that best fits the application. Overall, the legislation encourages a managed, forward-looking transition to safer technologies rather than forcing abrupt changes to existing operations.
How is Dynisco ensuring continuity for customers who may be unsure how these regulatory changes affect their operations?
Dynisco ensures continuity for customers navigating regulatory changes by taking a proactive, consultative, and long-term approach. We have been offering alternatives to mercury-filled pressure sensors for nearly 50 years, many of which provide the same fit, form, and function as the sensors currently used in customer operations. This long-standing preparation means regulatory changes do not represent a sudden shift for Dynisco, but rather a continuation of our ongoing commitment to safe, compliant technology.
We actively engage with customers to clarify what the regulations do and do not require, map existing installations, and recommend appropriate solutions based on both regulatory needs and process performance. Dynisco has developed a comprehensive portfolio of non-mercury alternatives, allowing processors to select the option that best matches their specific application requirements. Our technical experts work closely with customers to help them make informed, sustainable decisions without unnecessary system redesigns or rushed changes.
Because regulatory acceptance varies by country and application, Dynisco also ensures that the right product is used for the right application. For example, in food-related processes, we do not supply mercury-filled sensors and instead offer proven alternatives using technologies such as NaK or mineral oil (non-HTF). Across all regions, our focus remains on maintaining performance, uptime, and regulatory confidence.
Ultimately, Dynisco’s role goes beyond supplying compliant products. We see it as our responsibility to educate, support, and guide customers through regulatory transitions, ensuring operational continuity while meeting evolving global standards.
The Minamata Convention is often presented as a disruptive shift. To what extent is this actually an evolution of existing environmental priorities rather than a completely new direction?
We don’t see the Minamata Convention as a disruptive shift. The industry as a whole has been moving steadily toward safer materials, improved containment, and reduced environmental impact for decades. The Minamata Convention largely formalizes these existing trends on a global scale, bringing consistency and predictability rather than introducing an entirely new environmental philosophy.
Ultimately, Minamata should be viewed as a continuation of a direction Dynisco has been moving in for years. It reinforces a shared commitment to safer, more sustainable technologies and supports a measured, informed transition rather than a sudden or disruptive change.
How does Dynisco’s existing product portfolio align with the long-term sustainability goals outlined in the convention?
Dynisco’s existing product portfolio is well aligned with the long-term sustainability goals outlined in the Minamata Convention because environmental responsibility has been built into our technology strategy for decades. Dynisco has consistently invested in sensor technologies that minimize environmental risk while maximizing durability and accuracy. Today, Dynisco’s non-mercury portfolio includes five distinct sensing solutions, each designed to meet a wide range of application and process requirements without compromising performance, accuracy, or reliability.
What mercury-free or alternative-fill sensor technologies does Dynisco currently offer that meet Minamata compliance requirements?
Today, Dynisco’s mercury-free alternatives include five proven technologies, each designed to address specific process conditions:
- EPR (Push Rod Style) Sensors - A completely mercury-free mechanical solution that is well suited for many melt pressure applications, particularly where simple, robust operation is required.
- Food Grade Oil-Filled Sensors - Ideal for processors requiring food-grade compatible solutions, these sensors support process temperatures up to 275 °C and are commonly used in food, packaging, and consumer goods production.
- HTF (High-Temperature Fill) Sensors - Designed for continuous high-temperature operation up to 325 °C (with a maximum of 350 °C), HTF sensors are well suited for hazardous environments and are available with certifications such as FM, IECEx, KTL, and NEPSI.
- NaK (Sodium-Potassium) Filled Sensors - An effective alternative for many non-hazardous environments, NaK sensors support very high process temperatures up to 540 °C, making them ideal for demanding polymer processing applications.
- Capacitance (Fluid-Free) Sensors - A fill-media-free design operating up to 400 °C, capacitance sensors eliminate liquid fill entirely and are suitable for a wide range of applications, including those requiring ATEX, IECEx, intrinsically safe (IS), REACH, and RoHS compliance.
How do these alternative technologies compare in performance, reliability, and lifespan to traditional mercury-filled sensors?
Dynisco’s mercury-free and alternative-fill sensor technologies are designed to deliver performance, reliability, and service life that equal or, in many cases, exceed traditional mercury-filled sensors. Advances in materials science, mechanical design, and signal processing have largely eliminated the historical trade-offs that once existed between mercury-based and non-mercury sensing technologies.
From a reliability standpoint, these technologies benefit from simplified designs and improved materials, which reduce potential failure modes associated with mercury handling, containment, and regulatory constraints. As a result, users often see equal or better uptime and durability particularly in applications where temperature cycling, regulatory scrutiny, or sustainability requirements are increasing.
How easy is it for existing customers to transition from mercury-containing sensors to compliant alternatives within their current systems?
For most existing Dynisco customers, transitioning from mercury-containing sensors to compliant alternatives is relatively easy and low-impact. Dynisco has intentionally designed its alternative-fill and mercury-free sensors as direct replacements, maintaining the same process connections, electrical outputs, accuracy classes, and configuration options as legacy products.
These alternative sensors are engineered to be mechanically, electrically, and functionally compatible with existing installations, which significantly reduces or eliminates the need for system redesigns, control changes, or requalification. In many cases, customers can make the transition during scheduled maintenance or normal replacement cycles, rather than through disruptive retrofits or emergency changes.
This approach allows customers to move toward compliance at their own pace while preserving system performance and uptime. Dynisco’s application experts further support this process by helping customers select the most appropriate alternative for their specific operating conditions, ensuring a smooth, confident transition with minimal operational risk.
How is Dynisco supporting customers in navigating compliance without disrupting production or supply chains?
Dynisco supports customers in navigating compliance requirements by taking a proactive, educational, and collaborative approach that minimizes disruption to production and supply chains. A key focus of our efforts is helping customers clearly understand the regulations and confidently select the right product for their specific application, reducing confusion and uncertainty around compliance.
By engaging early, rather than reacting to regulatory deadlines, Dynisco helps customers avoid last-minute changes that could negatively impact production schedules, inventory planning, or equipment availability. This consultative model allows transitions to be planned around normal maintenance cycles and supply chain considerations rather than emergency retrofits.
China has introduced particularly stringent mercury regulations. How is Dynisco adapting its strategy to support customers in this region?
Where mercury-free alternatives have already been developed and released, Dynisco sees the transition as largely seamless. In China, most mercury-based sensors are being replaced with proven alternatives such as NaK, mineral oil, or HTF-filled technologies, depending on the application requirements. We also offer advanced solutions like Vertex, with pressure ranges as low as 250 psi, providing additional flexibility where competitive offerings may be limited to higher minimum pressures. While the primary technical challenge remains with applications above 15,000 psi, Dynisco continues to address these needs through ongoing product development and application guidance.
Overall, Dynisco’s strategy in China emphasizes preparedness, local collaboration, and application-appropriate solutions. By combining global experience with strong regional execution, we help customers meet strict regulatory requirements while maintaining performance, uptime, and long-term operational confidence.
What challenges do manufacturers in APAC face when responding to these regulatory changes?
One of the biggest challenges is navigating the uncertainty and confusion that often follows the introduction of new regulations. Different interpretations, varying levels of regional enforcement, and incomplete information can lead to competing theories on how best to respond. At the same time, manufacturers must balance compliance with tight production schedules, export requirements, and global customer expectations, making rushed or poorly planned changes risky.
Another critical challenge is ensuring that replacement solutions are not only compliant today, but also compatible with future mandates. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Different applications, pressure ranges, temperatures, and certifications require tailored approaches. Access to proven alternatives, reliable supply, and clear technical guidance is essential.
Dynisco is committed to working closely with our APAC customers to eliminate confusion, clarify regulatory requirements, and recommend the most appropriate mercury-free solution for each process.
How is Dynisco using this moment to reinforce its leadership in sustainable and compliant process monitoring solutions?
We recognize that regulatory change can be challenging, and while change is rarely easy, Dynisco has been investing in non-mercury sensing solutions for decades. As a result, we are well prepared with practical, proven alternatives that meet processors’ needs in most applications.
Our leadership approach centers on education, innovation, and partnership. Dynisco is proactively expanding and refining its compliant product portfolio while working closely with customers to guide them through transitions at a manageable pace. By clearly communicating what regulations require (and just as importantly, what they do not) we help customers move forward with confidence rather than uncertainty.
Ultimately, Dynisco’s leadership is defined by continuity and commitment: combining decades of experience in alternative sensing technologies with a consultative mindset that ensures customers remain compliant, competitive, and confident as sustainability expectations continue to evolve.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Dynisco.
For more information on this source, please visit Dynisco.
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