Dijam Panigrahi, Co-founder and COO, GridRaster, discusses how AI, digital twins and cobots are reshaping cement manufacturing.
The modern industrial landscape in cement production is changing, driven by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins and collaborative robots (cobots). This trifecta is not only enhancing existing operations but fundamentally reimagining how cement manufacturing functions, creating a synergistic environment where human and machine capabilities are maximised.
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) notes that the global operational stock of industrial robots reached 4.2 million units in 2023, with cobots accounting for a considerable share. Furthermore, the global collaborative robot (Cobot) sales market, valued at $1,020 million in 2024, is projected to reach $2,199 million by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 11.8 per cent during the forecast period of 2025-2031.
At the heart of this evolution is AI, serving as the intelligent core that orchestrates a multitude of processes in cement production. Its capabilities span from optimising cobot control and predictive maintenance for kilns and grinding mills to ensuring stringent quality control of cement mixtures and streamlining complex supply chain management of raw materials like limestone, clay and gypsum.
AI empowers machines and robots with the ability to learn, adapt, and make real-time decisions, leading to significant improvements in operational efficiency and responsiveness across the board in cement plants. This intelligent automation is enabling the cement industry to achieve levels of precision and speed previously unattainable.
Digital twins: Virtual replicas for real-world optimisation
Complementing AI’s computational prowess are digital twins, which offer virtual replicas of physical assets and processes within a cement plant. These digital models provide an invaluable sandbox for businesses, allowing them to simulate and rigorously test new systems and workflows in a virtual environment before committing to costly physical implementation, such as optimising a new production line or a material handling system.
This capability is particularly crucial for optimising human-robot collaboration, as it allows for the fine-tuning of interactions and processes to ensure seamless integration and maximum output in potentially hazardous areas of a cement facility. The real-time monitoring capabilities of digital twins further enhance their utility, enabling continuous optimisation and proactive problem-solving, for example, by predicting equipment failure in a kiln. The synergy between AI and digital twins significantly reduces risks associated with new deployments and accelerates their time to market.
Empowering the human workforce: Upskilling and collaboration
While the focus on advanced automation might suggest a diminishing role for human workers, the reality is quite the opposite in cement manufacturing. Workforce enablement technologies are designed to empower and elevate the human element within this increasingly automated ecosystem.
These innovative tools facilitate comprehensive upskilling through immersive augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) training programmes, preparing the workforce for the demands of new technologies and roles, such as operating and maintaining cobots or analysing digital twin data. User-friendly interfaces are simplifying human-robot interaction, making it more intuitive and accessible for workers to collaborate directly with cobots in areas like quality control or material handling.
Furthermore, remote assistance capabilities provide on-demand expert support, ensuring that human workers have the resources they need to troubleshoot and optimise operations effectively in a cement plant.
A synergistic future: Boosting productivity, flexibility and safety
One of the most significant advantages of integrating cobots in cement manufacturing is their ability to offload repetitive, dangerous or physically demanding tasks from human workers, such as bagging cement, loading trucks, or operating in dusty environments. This frees up the human workforce to concentrate on higher-value activities that
demand critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity – uniquely human attributes that machines cannot replicate.
This integrated approach not only drives remarkable gains in productivity, flexibility and safety but also cultivates a truly synergistic relationship between cutting-edge technology and a skilled, adaptable human workforce.
The implications of this integrated approach extend across various facets of cement manufacturing. The precision and speed offered by AI-powered cobots, validated through digital twin simulations, lead to reduced errors in mixing, faster production cycles, and greater customisation capabilities for different cement types. This translates into higher quality products and the ability to respond more rapidly to market demands.
The optimisation of supply chains through AI and the efficient handling of raw materials and finished goods by cobots result in faster delivery times, reduced operational costs and enhanced inventory management in cement plants. The ability to simulate and optimise complex logistical networks with digital twins means that potential bottlenecks in material flow can be identified and resolved before they impact real-world operations, leading to a more resilient and responsive supply chain for cement.
Moreover, the emphasis on workforce enablement ensures that as technology advances, human workers are not left behind but rather become integral components of the new industrial paradigm in cement production. Upskilling initiatives, facilitated by AR/VR, allow for continuous learning and adaptation, creating a dynamic workforce capable of navigating technological shifts.
The simplified human-robot interfaces remove barriers to entry, making collaborative robotics accessible to a broader range of workers in
cement facilities. This human-centric approach to automation fosters a more engaged and empowered workforce, leading to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover.
The combination of AI, digital twins and cobots today represents a fundamental modernisation of the cement manufacturing landscape. AI provides the intelligence, digital twins offer the foresight and cobots provide the physical execution, all while workforce enablement technologies ensure that humans remain at the center of innovation and decision-making in cement plants. This integrated approach promises a future where operations are more efficient, resilient and adaptive, ultimately leading to unprecedented levels of productivity and a more fulfilling work environment for all in the cement industry.
About the author:
Dijam Panigrahi is Co-Founder and COO of Gridraster with over 21 years of international experience in market development, business growth, and product management.