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Communication in ATEX classified environments is never just about a tool. It is the first line of defense that protects people, supports compliance, and keeps operations under control. Newchem, a leading Italian producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients, understands this reality. With the Ascom solution, Newchem moved from broad warnings to clear alerts that support immediate action. Fire safety systems, monitoring systems, and production equipment now connect into a single environment that routes the right information to the right people at the right time.
In ATEX zones, communication failure is not an option. When an alarm is delayed or unclear, workers lose time they cannot afford and supervisors face pressure they feel immediately. In hazardous environments, even a brief communication gap can create risk.
For many organizations, this pressure is increasing. Facilities are expanding. Processes are more complex. Teams move constantly between zones. Managers must ensure every device used in ATEX areas is certified, reliable, and capable of reaching people instantly.
Newchem, a leading Italian producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients, understands this reality. At its sites in Verona and San Martino Siccomario, operations rely on constant coordination between operators, warehouse teams, technicians, and supervisors. As production grew, Newchem saw that its communication tools were no longer providing the clarity or reliability the environment required.
Newchem’s facilities are classified as ATEX Zone 2 and must comply with EU Directive 2014 34 EU. Every device used in these areas must be certified to ensure it does not introduce additional risk.
Before working with Ascom, Newchem relied on fixed telephones and older DECT handsets. Although technically safe, they did not give teams the coverage or detail they needed. Coverage dropped in key areas. Alerts often lacked critical information. Operators sometimes knew something had gone wrong without knowing what or where.
Automation Manager Luca Fornale explains: “We were receiving alarms that told us something was wrong, but not what or where. It slowed down our response and made it harder to operate safely.” When communication is incomplete, response times stretch, safety margins shrink, and pressure grows for facility leaders who must maintain safe, compliant operations.
To resolve these issues, Newchem introduced the Ascom d83 EX handset and the Ascom enterprise solutions for alarm and workflow management. The d83 EX is fully certified for ATEX Zone 1 and Zone 2 environments and complies with EU Directive 2014 34 EU, giving Newchem confidence that the device is safe to use even where a minor electrical issue could create risk.
The handset is built for demanding industrial conditions. It offers IP65 protection, strong durability, and a battery built to last full shifts. It also includes essential safety features such as a push button, man down and no movement, pull-cord alarms, and location capabilities. These functions give workers reassurance that help is always within reach.
“We needed a system that was fully certified for ATEX environments but flexible enough to support growing operations,” Fornale says. “Ascom delivered both.”
We needed a system that was fully certified for ATEX environments but flexible enough to support growing operations. Ascom delivered both.
With the Ascom enterprise solutions, Newchem moved from broad warnings to clear alerts that support immediate action. Fire safety systems, monitoring systems, and production equipment now connect into a single environment that routes the right information to the right people at the right time.
Operators receive alerts that specify the equipment involved, the location, and the level of urgency. This clarity removes guesswork and shortens the time between detection and response.
Safety and Security teams also benefit from complete visibility. Every alarm acceptance is recorded with the responder and the time it was acknowledged, creating a reliable audit trail for compliance and improvement. According to Fornale, the difference was immediate. “Today we respond faster, communicate more clearly, and have full visibility of every alarm. It has changed the way we operate.”
Some tasks require employees to work alone inside ATEX zones. This naturally increases risk, and teams need reassurance that help can reach them quickly. The d83 EX includes an emergency push button that connects directly to the control room. Combined with location data, it helps responders reach the worker accurately.
Although the feature has not been needed in a real emergency, Newchem considers it essential. As Fornale notes, “If the emergency alarm is ever used even once, it will fully justify the investment.”
Since adopting Ascom’s system, Newchem has improved coordination across its facilities. Communication is faster. Coverage gaps are eliminated. Operators, technicians, and supervisors reach each other quickly, reducing delays and simplifying daily operations.
By integrating fire and control systems into the Ascom platform, Newchem now has a more complete view of plant activity. Regardless of the equipment manufacturer, data is consolidated and easier to act on.
After the successful rollout in Verona, Newchem plans to implement the solution at its San Martino Siccomario site. The company values the certification, durability, and support behind the Ascom system. Fornale summarizes the experience, “Ascom has given us a communication system that improves safety today and can grow with us tomorrow.”
In ATEX environments, communication must be clear, reliable, and certified. Newchem’s adoption of the Ascom solutions shows how the right system can protect workers, support compliance, and strengthen operations.
