Technologies, solutions and products

The company’s history began with Christian Bürkert’s groundbreaking invention – the precise bimetallic temperature controller for incubators, developed in direct response to the needs of agriculture in the post-war period. Drawing on the experience gained from this temperature control technology, Christian Bürkert and his 36 employees expanded into manufacturing controllers for industrial applications.

The first industrial customer of the new company was the Heilbronn water and steam system manufacturer Wilhelm Bälz, who commissioned Bürkert to construct a rod temperature controller for his industrial systems. This project gave Christian Bürkert valuable insights into the rapidly growing fluidics market, and inspired the development of a range of solenoid valves.

In Germany and parts of Western Europe, homeowners began modernizing their heating systems – replacing old coal stoves with individually regulated oil heaters. In 1960 Bürkert commenced production of a flow controller to control oil flow in these heaters. Alongside washing machine valves, which were produced at over a million units per year, these flow controllers provided the company with access to the industrial mass market.

Bürkert expanded its expertise in the solenoid valve sector with the introduction of a 3-way solenoid valve. The company also began developing its first customised solutions and special machines for valve processing, a core competency that continues to define Bürkert to this day.

Bürkert’s products and systems, previously showcased on display boards, could now be experienced up close at their mobile exhibition stands. Push buttons and switches invited customers and trade show visitors to try out the innovative features for themselves.

In response to increasing demands from the automotive industry, Bürkert expanded its product portfolio to include a comprehensive pneumatics range featuring directional valves and cylinders. Due to growing requests for valves with high reliability and long service life, Bürkert introduced a multi-way gate valve (Types 445–449). The steel bushings used in these valves were rustproof and so precisely machined that they required no additional seals, thus guaranteeing millions of switching cycles.

Inspired by his experiences during a stay in the USA, Christian Bürkert successfully developed the epoxy-coated solenoid. This technological innovation quickly became the global standard for applications in explosive environments. In the years that followed, Bürkert made further advances to the solenoid, introducing innovations such as the double-coil technique for explosion-proof epoxy coils and slip-on coils.

In partnership with renowned Swiss entrepreneur Georg Fischer from Schaffhausen, Bürkert took a bold step in developing a comprehensive range of solenoid valves for use in aggressive media such as acids and alkalis. The housings and components were made from special plastics, and the valves featured sealed, oil-filled solenoid actuators. This technological innovation allowed for reliable operation under extreme conditions where conventional solutions would fail.

Faced with high production costs and increasing competitive pressure, Christian Bürkert decided to stop manufacturing valves from traditional materials like brass or stainless steel. Plastic was the new solution. This bold decision led to the development of the first multi-way pneumatic valves made from plastic.

The ambition to build the world’s best valves and actuators continued even after the tragic death of the company’s founder Christian Bürkert in a plane crash in 1971. Subsequently, a wide range of products and solutions were developed and advanced, including explosion-proof solenoid valves, high-pressure valves, and complex customised solutions like water and air treatment units for dental chairs.

With the growing demand for small and durable valves, such as those used in pneumatic valve islands, Bürkert emerged as a pioneer by developing valves with so-called “rocker technology”.  These valves offered exceptional durability because, unlike traditional plunger valves, they operated without friction. Additionally, they were suitable for aggressive media and have continued to evolve with innovations like “TwinPower” and the “Whisper” actuator.

The 1990s marked the beginning of sensor development at the French site in Triembach-au-Val. The fact that this location and its sensor development and production continues to thrive today is thanks to the innovative spirit and highly effective teamwork of the staff there.

The development of the first electromagnetic proportional valves – Types 2821, 2832, and 2834 – marked a significant advancement, as, for the first time, they enabled the design of extremely compact control circuits for gases. Their space-saving design allowed them to be adapted for a wide range of applications. To this day, there are no comparable continuous valves on the market.

The first mass flow controller for regulating the mass flow rates of gases was developed using Bürkert’s proportional valves with a main flow sensor.

The introduction of fieldbus technology with the Type 8640 valve island laid the foundation for integrating fieldbus interfaces into other Bürkert products. The development of a multifunctional circuit board made it possible to operate multiple fieldbus protocols.

Bürkert developed the first valve island systems that combined electrical and pneumatic functions, integrating electrical control and I/O modules within a pneumatic system. The AirLINE system represents a universal interface between process and system control. In the ensuing years, the intrinsically safe AirLINE Ex valve island proved itself in numerous pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biotechnological applications.

The ELEMENT valves from Bürkert provide unparalleled precision when it comes to the control of liquids. For customers in the beverage bottling sector where the fill levels vary from product to product, or in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, precise adjustment of additives or pH levels is essential. Decentrally automated and digitally networked, the intelligent ELEMENT process valves are an important part of an intelligent system. The innovative design of the Robolux saves space by incorporating two independently operated valves, while also eliminating the need for T-joints.

The TwinPower technology allows for the integration of not just one, but two coils within the actuator of the Bürkert solenoid valve. This design means the valves are significantly more compact than conventional drive solutions, without any loss of performance. Valves with TwinPower technology are particularly suited for applications with specific requirements for compact size, performance, and energy efficiency, such as in clinical diagnostics, life sciences, and medical technology.

Cost-optimized and suitable for a wide range of gas control applications, the mass flow controllers are the first automation solutions with significant market potential. Devices with a CAN-based interface (büS) can be integrated into multi-MFC systems using an Ethernet gateway.

As part of the increasing electrification of production processes and as an energy-efficient alternative, the first electromotor-actuated proportional valves were introduced. These compact products are the first in a planned series.

Using patented SAW technology, the innovative FLOWave flowmeter operates without any fixed or moving components inside the measurement tube, ensuring that no sensor parts come into contact with the medium. FLOWave is ideal for production processes that require the highest hygiene standards, such as those in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Valves in the newly developed Whisper Valve series feature a non-stopping actuator, regulating flow in ventilation, dialysis, and laboratory equipment. As the name suggests, they operate at a whisper, with noise levels below 30 dB near patients.

The new "Kick and Drop" coil represents a significant leap forward for the company in terms of sustainable and energy-saving solenoid-valve solutions. Solenoid valves designed with this technology are 35 % smaller than their predecessors, with the same high level of performance. They operate silently, reduce calcification due to minimal heat generation, and are highly energy-efficient, which can result in energy savings of up to 80 %.