Displaying items by tag: monitoring
Tarmac digitises its rail logistics with Everysens
15 January 2024UK: CRH subsidiary Tarmac has successfully deployed France-based software developer Everysens’ Transport Visibility & Management System (TVMS) in its total operations processing system (TOPS) for rail transport. The TVMS digitally tracks trains, enabling the customer to measure performance, analyse patterns and ensure smooth anticipation and collaboration between stakeholders. Tarmac expects the upgrade to streamline its delivery monitoring and also allow for proactive decision-making.
Tarmac head of rail Chris Swan said "Everysens' integration with TOPS has significantly supported Tarmac to digitise its rail freight operations. Tracking our freight trains has become a lot easier and more precise through digital solutions. With real-time ETA data, we can optimise routes, manage resources, and provide an even higher level of service to our customers. This integration underscores our commitment to staying ahead in technology and embracing digitisation for more efficient and streamlined operations."
Siam City Cement (Lanka) orders SpectraFlow Airslide analyser for Puttalam cement plant
14 December 2023Sri Lanka: Switzerland-based SpectraFlow Analytics has received an order for a SpectraFlow Airslide analyser and raw mix proportioning software from Siam City Cement (Lanka). The equipment will analyse the composition of material exiting the raw materials mill at Siam City Cement (Lanka)’s Puttalam cement plant. The supplier says that this will help to increase kiln feed quality, lowering the chances of refractory problems and other causes of kiln stoppages.
SpectraFlow Analytics said “The ever increasing demand in cost savings and at the same time improving product quality led Siam City Cement (Lanka) to invest in the most advanced raw mill optimisation package available on the market.”
Spain: Cemex’s venture capital unit Cemex Ventures announced the launch of its second LeapLab accelerator programme for high-potential start-ups on 30 November 2023. The programme introduces a cohort of five start-ups from around the globe, which will carry out pilot-scale tests of their technologies across 100 Cemex sites in 12 different countries. Throughout the process, experts from Cemex and partner organisations will support the work of the start-ups as mentors, pilot leaders, speakers and assistants, as well as providing business advice and support in network building. The selected start-ups are AI technology developers Introid, Mixteresting and Verusen, hybrid vehicle fuel optimisation company Movener and water monitoring specialist Waterplan.
Cemex’s executive vice president of digital and organisation development Luis Hernández said “Start-up acceleration is a key pillar of Cemex’s open innovation strategy, since the time to scale the technologies that enable us to build a better future is now. By combining the disruptive solutions and agility of start-ups with Cemex’s extensive industry networks and resources, start-up acceleration is a vehicle for tangible innovation generation.”
Colacem appoints Armis for cybersecurity services
16 October 2023Italy: Colacem has selected US-based Armis’ Armis Centrix AI-based cyber exposure management platform to protect online assets in its cement plants. Italian Industry News has reported that protected assets include IT equipment, operational technologies and internet of things (IoT) devices.
Colacem security manager Luca Salemmi said “We requested support from Armis because we realised that we did not have visibility on all devices. What we immediately liked about Armis Centrix is its ability to evaluate the level of vulnerability of each device and to provide a priority order for immediate intervention so that it resolves the most critical risks.”
UK: Holcim subsidiary Aggregate Industries has installed Driver Status Monitoring Systems supplied by Spillard Vehicle Safety Systems in the cabins of its Cauldon cement plant truck fleet. The systems use cameras and AI software to detect signs of tiredness, as well as mobile phone use, lane deviation, not wearing a seatbelt and smoking. In the case of tiredness, this triggers an alarm which continues to sound until the vehicle comes to a stop.
Cement supply chain manager Matt Owen said “Health and safety is a massive priority for us as a company and the industry, so anything that can serve to continuously improve our approach to it is very welcome. Driver fatigue is always a potential issue across any business involved in transport and fleet, so we’re delighted to be utilising the latest technology with our partners to ensure that everyone gets safely home from work.”
Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has installed a new bag filter at its 3.9Mt/yr Ewekoro cement plant in Ogun State. The filter cost US$8.51m. Lafarge Africa says that the equipment has successfully reduced the plant’s dust emissions to below 50mg/Nm3. The company said that it has made ‘significant adjustments’ to its production activities, besides introducing air quality measurement systems across a 10km radius of the plant.
Lafarge Africa’s head of health, safety and environment Rachael Ezembakwe said “Care for the environment and for our host communities is built into all aspects of our operations within the country. Our social impact is focused on the areas of the most need: education, empowerment, health and safety, and shelter/infrastructure.”
Japan: Tokuyama Corporation has installed ABB’s Expert Optimizer automated optimisation system in the kiln line of its Nanyo cement plant. The system controls the line’s calciner, kiln and cooler processes. The supplier says that the technology will reduce the Nanyo cement plant’s thermal energy consumption by 3%.
Tokuyama Corporation "We selected ABB's Expert Optimizer to equalise operations and improve operational efficiency. As expected, we have significantly reduced the number of the operator manual operations normally spent on manual tasks.” It added “We believe that this solution will also support our young operators in learning the know-how of our operations efficiently."
Switzerland: Holcim has commissioned the world's first cement plant digital twin at one of its cement plants in Switzerland. The software models the plant and is integrated with sensors, analytics and machine learning technology. UK-based HyBird also participated in the development of the technology. Holcim expects it to help to optimise its operations. Under its Plants of Tomorrow automation strategy, it will now aim to roll out the system across all of its cement plants, beginning with those in Europe.
Holcim's global head of Plants of Tomorrow, Rozemarijn Wesby, said "Our digital twin in Switzerland is a breakthrough for the entire industry. By leveraging digital technologies like this, we are generating massive amounts of data, allowing smarter decision-making to take our operational efficiency to the next level."
Karnataka limestone quarry operators suspend mining
16 January 2023India: Operators of limestone mines in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar District have suspended quarry operations indefinitely in protest against the Karnataka state government's increased licensing royalties and rules requiring drone surveillance. The companies also demand that the state government cease to implement new policies affecting them. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the strike has impacted a total of 10,000 jobs, both at quarries and downstream in the building materials and construction sectors.
Holcim Philippines implements 70 automation projects during 2022
09 January 2023Philippines: Holcim Philippines carried out 70 upgrades aimed at increasing automation in its operations during 2022. The projects aim to optimise cement production, generate cost savings and ensure best safety practices. The Manila Times has reported that new Industry 4.0 initiatives include equipment monitoring systems offering 90-day performance projections, software capable of predicting cement's strength development and drones to replace visual inspections in remote spaces.
Holcim Philippines said that it is currently exploring the use of new predictive technologies in its operations.