ABB has launched what it claims is the world’s first IE6 Hyper-Efficiency motor certified for hazardous areas under ATEX and IECEx standards. 

The new IE6 Increased Safety motor is based on ABB’s magnet- and rare earth-free synchronous reluctance (SynRM) technology and is designed for use in industries where gas, vapour or combustible dust may be present, including chemicals, marine, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage. 

According to ABB, the motor delivers up to 60% lower energy losses compared to conventional IE3 induction motors commonly used in Zones 1 and 2 hazardous environments. The company said the improved efficiency could help industrial operators significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. 

The IE6 SynRM Increased Safety motor is certified for use with variable speed drives (VSDs), enabling accurate speed control and high efficiency across the full operating range, including partial loads. ABB said this makes the motor particularly suitable for applications such as pumps, fans, and compressors. 

The company estimates that replacing a single IE3 motor with the new IE6 motor could generate energy savings of €87,520 over a typical 20-year operating life, with a payback period of around eight months. ABB added that the switch could help avoid nearly 157,540 kg of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual emissions from 37 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles. 

“In its Energy Efficiency Report 2025, the International Energy Agency highlighted the urgent need to make sustainable technologies affordable and widely accessible,” said Stefan Floeck. 

“With the world’s first IE6 Hyper-Efficiency SynRM motor for hazardous areas, we now have an ideal solution for customers looking to reduce operating costs while meeting ambitious sustainability targets,” he added. 

The new IE6 SynRM Increased Safety motor is available in ratings starting from 110 kW, while IE5 versions are offered for ratings up to 90 kW. 

ABB said the SynRM technology also improves reliability and lowers maintenance requirements while enabling more cost-effective installations. In Zone 1 environments, the cooler-running motor can potentially replace traditional flameproof motors that require specialised enclosures. In Zone 2 applications, improved loadability allows operators to achieve more power output from the same motor size compared to conventional induction motors. 

The launch expands ABB’s broader portfolio of IEC low-voltage motors for hazardous environments, which includes induction motor alternatives with efficiency ratings up to IE4.