Cimpor's investment in the 'Standalone' 5G private network implemented by Vodafone Portugal "marks a new phase" in the company's path to "industrial digitalization", the cement company's Global CTO Berkan Fidan told Lusa today.
"We have very large operational areas, many of them in indoor spaces, where the quality of communication, signal, cabling and network capabilities have always been a challenge due to steel and concrete structures, galleries, electromagnetic fields, among others", said the 'global chief technical officer'.
However, "we already have integrated solutions with artificial intelligence [AI] that help us with predictive and prescriptive methodologies for maintenance, processes, decarbonization, efficiency, quality, as well as health and safety at work", he continued, adding that "these concepts, based on sensors and communication, can only be applied with a reliable and high-speed network, preferably wireless, to allow flexible and unlimited integration and updating".
Berkan Fidan stressed that "technological tools such as indoor and outdoor drones, augmented and mixed reality glasses, 4K cameras and autonomous driving systems can only be used without signal interruptions and with high precision through robust connectivity".
In addition, "it is also important to improve work efficiency through access to PCs, tablets and mobile devices in supervised environments", so "all these factors justify our investment in the 5G MPN network and we intend to continue on this path to maintain leadership in the digital transformation of our industry", he said.
Regarding the value of the investment in this private network, he said that due to confidentiality clauses he could not share all the details, but that each installation will have a guaranteed service for 10 years, with the possibility of extension for subsequent periods.
More than the investment in the network itself, "the final budget will be defined by how it will be used, and we have been carrying out several collaborations and investments in this area" and, "there will be new announcements on this subject soon".
When asked about the estimated impact on Cimpor's productivity, Berkan Fidan stressed that "industrial data is the new fuel" for the company's operations. "And we can consider it our product. The quantity, variety and quality of this data have a direct impact on our operational support systems, which are supported by artificial intelligence," he pointed out.
"With the 5G MPN network, we will be more agile and precise, practically doubling the performance of our predictive and prescriptive analyses," which "translates into highly accurate process optimization, fault detection, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy efficiency, stable and high quality in final products, greater reliability and productivity," explained the director.
In addition, "and perhaps most critically, it will be the ability to execute much more safely with the tools and notification systems appropriate to the operation."
Overall, the company expects up to a 10% improvement in overall equipment efficiency (OEE) in the initial phase, including the indirect effects of this technology.
The official highlighted that, in addition to the impact on efficiency and productivity, the project also supports Cimpor's decarbonisation strategy.
"By improving operational efficiency, we hope to reduce, in an initial phase, at least 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, considering the direct and indirect impacts of the project", he said.
It will also "allow us to strengthen partnerships with high-tech companies and entrepreneurs, and become more attractive to new talent and young engineers who will define the next steps in the industry", he concluded.
