December 2025
BARTEC Acquired by One Equity Partners, SPS 2025, and Market Growth
One Equity Partners Acquires BARTEC
The biggest company news this quarter: One Equity Partners (OEP) completed its acquisition of BARTEC from Bridgepoint Credit and Alcentra. BARTEC, based in Bad Mergentheim, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of Ex equipment — from intrinsically safe smartphones and tablets to complete automation solutions for hazardous areas.
The acquisition signals continued private equity interest in the explosion protection sector. BARTEC had been through several ownership changes in recent years, and OEP's track record suggests they'll focus on operational efficiency and bolt-on acquisitions. For customers, the practical question is whether this leads to more R&D investment or more cost-cutting.
Source: Tracxn, Aug 29 2025
BARTEC Launches SP9EX1: 5G in Zone 1
On the product side, BARTEC released the SP9EX1 — billed as the world's most compact 5G smartphone certified for Zone 1/21 and Division 1 hazardous areas. It runs Android 15, has a 6.1" AMOLED display, and packs a 48 MP camera. The certification covers gas group IIC and temperature class T4.
5G connectivity in Zone 1 is a genuine step forward. Previous ATEX smartphones were stuck on 4G, which limited their usefulness for real-time video streaming, remote expert assistance, and IoT data collection in the field.
Source: Intrinsically Safe Store, Dec 5 2025
R. Stahl at SPS 2025: Ethernet-APL in Hazardous Areas
SPS 2025 in Nuremberg — Europe's main industrial automation trade fair — saw R. Stahl push hard on Ethernet-APL (Advanced Physical Layer). Their pitch: a single Ethernet cable delivering both power and data to field devices in Zone 1 and even Zone 0, replacing the tangle of 4-20 mA analog loops and HART protocols that have dominated process plants for decades.
The Ethernet-APL field switch is the key piece. It converts standard Ethernet to the 2-wire, intrinsically safe connection that can reach instruments in hazardous areas. R. Stahl's selling point is that their switch is the "safest bet" — purpose-built for Ex, not adapted from a general industrial product.
Source: R. Stahl YouTube, Dec 11 2025
Flameproof Equipment Market: $15 Billion by 2034
The global flameproof equipment market — the Ex d segment specifically — is projected to exceed $15 billion by 2034. Growth drivers: LNG terminal construction in the Middle East, hydrogen infrastructure in Europe, and tightening safety standards in Southeast Asia.
Saudi Arabia alone is expected to grow at 7.5% CAGR through 2033, driven by Vision 2030 petrochemical expansions and NEOM-related hydrogen projects.
Source: OpenPR, Dec 15 2025
Events & Milestones
- SPS 2025 (Nov 25-27, Nuremberg): Major Ex equipment suppliers present including R. Stahl, Pepperl+Fuchs, Eaton, Turck
- Hazardous Area Equipment Market Report published by SkyQuest, naming 12 major players across the $8.2B global market
- UK ATEX designated standards list updated for Q4 2025 — no significant additions but confirms ongoing dual EU/UK compliance requirements