Food and beverage plants are under pressure to run harder, cleaner and leaner, without adding complexity on the factory floor. That’s exactly the problem Bürkert is targeting with its new Type 8682 and 8683 control heads for hygienic and aseptic process valves, launching at foodpro 2026 in Melbourne.
Bürkert’s next‑generation control heads are designed as a universal, non‑proprietary platform for decentralised automation. From single‑seat and double‑seat valves to butterfly valves, and across most major valve brands, one control head family can now do the job.
Each control head combines the complete pneumatic control stage, high‑resolution contactless valve position detection, status indication and diagnostics in a single, robust housing. Automatic teach‑in functions learn valve end positions without manual adjustment, so commissioning and device replacement are faster and less error‑prone, even while production continues.
Type 8682 is the flexible all‑rounder for single‑seat and butterfly valves. Type 8683 is optimised for more complex double‑seat valves and applications where advanced cleaning functions and diagnostics really pay off.
Why they’re great for food and beverage plants? One platform equals less complexity. Many plants carry a patchwork of control tops from different projects and suppliers. Bürkert’s two‑device program is designed to cut through that:
- fits all standard hygienic and aseptic valve designs;
- linear or rotary actuators handled with the same architecture; and
- one operating concept and interface across the plant.
The result for maintenance is fewer variants to stock, less training, simpler spare parts management and a consistent approach to valve automation.
Another key feature of the next generation of control heads is providing smarter cleaning resulting in lower consumption, hitting those sustainability targets and milestones faster. CIP/SIP cycles are a major cost and sustainability driver. The Type 8683 introduces a fully parameterisable, pulsed cleaning function for double‑seat valves. By actively controlling valve movement to generate turbulent flow at the seat, it targets cleaning media exactly where they’re needed and for only as long as they’re needed.
Plants can reduce water and chemical use, cut effluent volumes and treatment costs, and still have the confidence that product‑contact areas are properly cleaned.
Both control heads also feature a distinctive two‑part visual indicator: a bright LED ring for valve position and NAMUR status, plus a dedicated diagnostics LED. Operators can see at a glance whether a valve is open or closed and whether the device is flagging a fault or maintenance need.
Behind that simple display sits a rich diagnostics package, cycle counters, switching‑time and end‑position monitoring, seal and temperature monitoring and more. This supports predictive maintenance strategies that help avoid unplanned downtime and protect product quality.
Bürkert has built these control heads for harsh, hygienic environments. Frequent washdowns, high humidity and temperature swings are tough on automation equipment. Bürkert’s new control heads are engineered for this world, with protection classes up to IP65, IP67 and IP69 and 4X rating, robust housings and vibration‑resistant design.
Approvals including ATEX, IECEx, FM and CCC allow decentralised automation directly in potentially explosive zones, while the integrated control air supply eliminates external tubing and keeps installations compact and cleanable.
With interfaces including 24 VDC, AS‑Interface and IO‑Link Port Class A/B, the Type 8682 and 8683 integrate smoothly into existing control architectures. Operators gain access to detailed valve data for central monitoring, optimisation and alignment with Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Where many control tops are tied to a single valve brand or a narrow application range, Bürkert’s approach is different: a genuinely universal, non‑proprietary control head system backed by global hygienic processing expertise. That combination of versatility, deep diagnostics and smart cleaning makes the Type 8682/8683 program a strong lever for standardisation, efficiency and sustainability across the whole plant.
See them live and on display at foodpro. Talk with our specialists about standardising valve automation across brownfield and greenfield sites, explore how pulsed cleaning and diagnostics can cut water, chemical and energy use without compromising hygiene and discover latest way to lift efficiency and reliability, not just at the PLC, but right down at the valve.
Bürkert is exhibiting at foodpro 2026. See us at: S22.
This article first appeared in the Q2 2026 edition of Food & Drink Business magazine.
