Smiths Detection, a Smiths Group plc business, has powered the world’s first fully automated International Remote Baggage Screening System (IRBS) between South Korea and the United States. Deployed at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2, the system uses 22 SecurePort-IRBS-K software licenses and integrates HI-SCAN 10080 XCT computed tomography X-ray machines. Under this model, U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducts pre-arrival screening of checked bags bound for Atlanta, cutting passenger connection times by up to 20 minutes and eliminating the need for reclaim-and-recheck in the U.S. Data are exported in DICOS V3.0 format and transmitted over a compliant secure channel, meeting Korean and U.S. privacy and cybersecurity regulations. Following an August 2025 operational start, IRBS will expand to five additional U.S. gateways including Minneapolis and Los Angeles, reinforcing Smiths Group’s position in cross-border aviation security technology.

John Crane, the flow-control division of Smiths Group plc, is celebrating half a century since introducing the Type 28 dry gas seal in 1976. Over 50 years, the business has delivered spiral-groove non-contacting technology across oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation and emerging hydrogen and carbon capture markets. Recent advances include bi-directional grooves, ultra-high-pressure capability up to 425 barg, Carbon LF™ materials, and real-time diagnostics via John Crane Sense® Turbo. Sustainability milestones include retrofit programmes that cut customer CO₂ emissions by 278,000 tonnes annually and methane reductions of up to 95% versus wet seals. Today John Crane supports thousands of global installations through more than 200 manufacturing, sales and service centres, including 12 specialist turbo service facilities, underpinning Smiths Group’s long-term growth in rotating equipment technologies.