3. How does the campaign go about this, do you have a case study example?
The ‘Do More with Digital’ campaign employs a multifaceted approach to assist the aluminum industry and other sectors in their digital transformation efforts. This includes providing industry-specific digital solutions, sharing success stories, and fostering collaboration between technology providers and industry players. A key element of the campaign is the emphasis on co-creation, where ABB works closely with customers and partners to develop and implement solutions tailored to their specific needs.
One illustrative case study involves
a major US steel manufacturer that collaborated with ABB to implement the ABB Ability Energy Management System. This system provided the manufacturer with enhanced visibility into their energy consumption patterns by integrating them with production data. The insights gained allowed the company to identify its most energy-intensive processes and correlate energy use with specific steel grades. This newfound understanding led to significant energy savings, with ABB’s system contributing 1-1.5 percent towards the manufacturer’s ambitious 10 percent energy reduction target. Although this example is from the steel industry, the principles and technologies behind EMS are directly applicable to aluminum production, demonstrating the campaign's potential to drive similar results across different sectors.
4. How will the ‘Do More with Digital’ campaign assist with decarbonizing the industry?
The ‘Do More with Digital’ campaign is positioned as a key driver in the decarbonization of the aluminum industry and other high-emission sectors. By promoting the adoption of advanced digital technologies, ABB aims to help these industries reduce their carbon footprint and move closer to achieving net-zero emissions. Digital solutions such as energy management systems and advanced process controls enable aluminum producers to optimize their energy usage, reduce waste, and increase the efficiency of their operations, all of which contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, the integration of real-time data analytics and AI-driven insights allows companies to make more informed decisions about their energy consumption and production processes. This not only helps in identifying and mitigating inefficiencies but also supports the transition to cleaner energy sources and more sustainable practices. ABB’s campaign also aligns with broader global initiatives, such as those of the World Economic Forum, which
highlight the role of digital solutions in achieving up to 20 percent of the total emissions reduction needed by 2050, as outlined by the International Energy Agency.
5. Looking at Industry 4.0, what results does ABB anticipate from the application of ‘Do More with Digital’?
In the context of Industry 4.0, we foresee a more connected and intelligent industrial environment where data-driven insights lead to smarter decision-making and continuous process optimization. This digital evolution is expected to result in a more resilient and adaptive industry, capable of responding quickly to changing market demands and environmental regulations. The campaign is expected to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, where industries work closely with technology providers to develop and scale up digital solutions that meet their specific needs.
6. What does your ideal digital industry look like?
An ideal industry is one that fully harnesses the power of digital technologies to optimize every aspect of its operations. In this idealization, industries such as metals would operate with maximum efficiency, using real-time data and advanced analytics to continuously improve processes, reduce waste, and minimize energy consumption. Sustainability would be at the core of every operation, with digital tools enabling companies to achieve net-zero emissions and contribute positively to the global fight against climate change.
As digital solutions become more embedded within daily operations, the goal is for human expertise to be seamlessly integrated with AI and machine learning, creating a symbiotic relationship where technology enhances decision-making and operational outcomes. Knowledge retention and transfer would be ensured through digital platforms, reducing the impact of workforce turnover and allowing for continuous improvement. Additionally, this industry would be highly adaptive and capable of quickly responding to new challenges and opportunities through the agile deployment of digital solutions.
In concept, this vision can be achieved within the next 5-10 years, which is extremely exciting. Although there is still lots of work to be done to continue spreading the message about digitalization and working with businesses, governments, and industries to transform this into reality. The good news is that we will be here every step of the way.
In aluminum, ABB’s digital solutions help manufacturers optimize energy use, reduce waste, and improve overall operational efficiency
7. What advice do you have for the industry when looking into digitalization?
The best bit of advice that I can offer to businesses embarking on a digitalization journey is to approach it with a strategic and collaborative mindset. Companies should begin by assessing their current digital maturity and identifying specific areas where digital technologies can have the most significant impact. It is essential to set clear objectives for digital transformation, whether it be improving energy efficiency, enhancing process performance, or achieving sustainability targets.
Collaboration, both within the organization and with external technology partners, is also hugely important. Co-creation and joint development of solutions tailored to the industry's unique needs can accelerate the digitalization journey and ensure that the deployed technologies deliver tangible results. Additionally, industries should invest in upskilling their workforce to effectively leverage digital tools and ensure that knowledge is retained and utilized across the organization.
Finally, I would encourage companies to adopt a phased approach to digitalization, starting with pilot projects that can be scaled up based on proven results. This approach allows companies to build confidence in digital solutions and ensures that investments in technology deliver measurable returns.
8. Any other comments?
ABB’s ‘Do More with Digital’ campaign represents a significant opportunity for the aluminum industry and other process sectors to embrace digitalization and unlock new levels of efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness. As industries face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact and improve operational performance, the adoption of advanced digital technologies will be crucial in meeting these challenges.
ABB’s deep industry expertise, combined with its commitment to innovation and collaboration, positions the company as a trusted partner in this digital transformation journey. Through the ‘Do More with Digital’ campaign, ABB is not only providing the tools and solutions needed for success but also fostering a culture of continuous improvement and resilience that will help industries thrive in the digital age.