R. Stahl Turns 150, Hydrogen ATEX Gaps, and the Chemical Sector Outlook

January 2026

R. Stahl Turns 150, Hydrogen ATEX Gaps, and the Chemical Sector Outlook

R. Stahl Celebrates 150 Years

2026 marks 150 years for R. Stahl, making it one of the oldest companies in the explosion protection industry. Founded in 1876 in Künzelsau, Germany, the company has been through the entire arc of the industry — from early mining lamp safety to today's Ethernet-APL field switches and intrinsically safe remote I/O systems.

The anniversary comes at an interesting time. R. Stahl's recent financials show weak demand in 2025, and the company is balancing tradition with a need to modernize. But 150 years of continuous operation in a niche where mistakes kill people is worth acknowledging.

Source: R. Stahl LinkedIn, Jan 27 2026

Hydrogen Exposes Gaps in Existing ATEX Concepts

ATEXshop.de published a technical article that deserves wide readership: existing ATEX protection concepts designed for methane or propane often fall short when applied to hydrogen. The reason is physics.

Hydrogen has a minimum ignition energy of just 0.017 mJ (versus 0.28 mJ for methane), an explosive range of 4-77% by volume, and falls into gas group IIC — the highest risk category. Flame paths in Ex d enclosures need to be tighter, Ex i circuits need lower energy limits, and zone extents are larger because hydrogen disperses faster and further than heavier gases.

As green hydrogen projects multiply across Europe, this is becoming a pressing practical problem. Facilities designed for natural gas cannot simply swap in hydrogen without re-evaluating every piece of Ex equipment installed.

Source: ATEXshop.de, Feb 2026

2026 Chemical Sector Outlook

ALL4, a US environmental consulting firm, published their annual chemical sector lookahead for 2026. Key regulatory items affecting hazardous areas:

  • EPA Risk Management Program (RMP) updates requiring newer prevention technology and backup safety measures
  • OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) expected updates on contractor safety and management of change
  • Clean Water Act changes affecting chemical storage facilities near waterways

For Ex equipment manufacturers and installers, the takeaway is that US chemical plants will face more regulatory pressure in 2026, which typically drives equipment upgrades and re-certification.

Source: ALL4, Jan 2026

Zone 1 LED Lighting: Field Experience

SEEKINGLED published practical engineering notes from hazardous area lighting installations using their HB21 Series ATEX LED high bays. The article is useful because it covers real-world installation problems rather than catalogue specs: cable gland selection, thermal management at ambient temperatures above 40°C, and how temperature class derating works in practice.

LED replacements for old sodium or mercury vapour Ex d luminaires continue to be one of the easiest wins in hazardous area upgrades — lower power, longer life, and often better T-class ratings due to less heat generation.

Source: SEEKINGLED, Jan 23 2026

Events & Milestones

  • R. Stahl 150th anniversary — celebrations planned throughout 2026
  • Pepperl+Fuchs confirmed as NAMUR 2026 sponsor — will shape the technical programme for Germany's largest process industry user group
  • IECEx annual meeting preparations underway for Q2 2026