ABB Signs MOU with Carbon Re to Decarbonize Cement

ABB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Carbon Re, an industrial artificial intelligence provider, to find ways to accelerate the decarbonization of cement production while also improving productivity.

The two companies will create a joint go-to-market solution for the cement industry which will potentially unite ABB’s domain expertise and experience in delivering successful global automation and advanced process control (APC) projects with Carbon Re’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cement expertise.

Building on the success of an exploratory project at a cement plant in Czechia, ABB will explore opportunities to integrate Carbon Re’s AI platform on top of its existing ABB Ability Expert Optimizer for cement APC solution. Carbon Re leverages AI and ML technologies, which could add continuously updating, cloud-based optimization software to ABB’s portfolio. With the addition of this AI layer, Expert Optimizer targets, such as post combustion oxygen to improve combustion efficiency, would automatically be set based on ever-changing plant conditions. These automated adjustments would deliver enhanced operational and energy efficiency benefits.

“At Carbon Re we are accelerating industrial decarbonization through the use of cutting-edge AI – our models have demonstrated that AI can find efficiencies within the complex chemical processes of material production, especially cement,” said Josh Vernon, CEO at Carbon Re. “ABB has led the way in the cement industry for decades, consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation. However, the next set of challenges, including carbon reduction in an increasingly complex production environment, requires a new approach and advanced technology. We’re excited to work with ABB to bring forward the AI-driven solutions necessary to meet the industry’s evolving needs.”

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One challenge in the cement industry is high energy demand. Kilns are central to the cement production process but are among the most energy-intensive components. ABB’s Expert Optimizer helps maintain optimal kiln conditions, leading to improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions. It typically reduces specific energy from 1%-5% and increases alternative fuel usage by up to 50%, the company said. With the addition of Carbon Re’s technology, plants can further reduce their specific energy by up to 5% and increase kiln stability with real-time pyro process optimization without intervention from the control room operator.

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“Driving down the emissions of cement production is a pressing priority for the industry,” said Tyron Vardy, Global Portfolio manager for Business Line Digital, ABB Process Industries. “Current technology is already making a positive impact, however, to reach the next phase of decarbonization, new, innovative approaches are required. Our collaboration with Carbon Re will bring us closer to achieving this. Enhanced by cloud-based AI technology, our decision support software will be able to help customers enhance and improve the efficiency of their systems faster than ever before.”