Tokuyama Nanyo cement plant
Located in Japan’s south-west Yamaguchi prefecture, the Tokuyama Nanyo plant is one of the country’s largest cement factories. It supplies high-quality cement to customers in Asia, Oceania and Japan and since its start of the cement production in 1938, it has been focusing on not only in cement production, but also in addressing environmental priorities with its processes.
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3% reduction of thermal energy consumption in the kiln’s has been achieved through improved operations, while maintaining a high level of product quality |
reduction of 70% the number of manual tasks operated by plant operators, by enabling automation of kiln operations |
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Tokuyama has invested in efficient and sustainable technology that incorporates by-products, raw material waste and local fuel substitutes. And with an annual production capacity of 4.54 million tons, every improvement in efficiency makes an impact.
ABB Ability™ Expert Optimizer
This is where ABB Ability™ Expert Optimizer technology plays a role. The advanced system controls, stabilizes and optimizes industrial processes across the calciner, kiln and cooler.
We selected ABB’s Expert Optimizer to equalize the quality of the operation and improve the operational efficiency. We can use the time saved through increased automation for other tasks. We believe that this solution will also support our young operators to learn the know-how of the operation efficiently.
Ryota Kakimoto of Tokuyama’s Cement Manufacturing Dept
And thanks to the use of this ABB technology, highly sought-after materials, such as cement, can be manufactured in a more efficient, less energy intensive manner.
Expert Optimizer emulates an operator and provides sharp control with fewer deviations. It is already bringing efficiency and sustainability benefits to production at the Nanyo plant. As part of the ABB Ability™ portfolio of digital applications, Expert Optimizer supports digital transformation and sustainability aims at the customer’s plant
Hiromichi Yoda, Local Division Manager for Process Industries, ABB Japan
He adds that the system was installed during COVID-19, thanks to a successful remote working collaboration between ABB and Tokuyama.
ABB Ability is providing solutions that contribute to a low-carbon future. Read more about how our technology is working for Tokuyama here.
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