11.03. - 12.03.2026

Digital transformation: Basics and examples from cement production

Closing deadline for registrations is 25.02.2026

In the seminar "Digital transformation: Basics and examples from cement production" you will learn how digital technologies, in the context of Industry 4.0, are fundamentally changing the cement industry. In both Europe and the rest of the world, the industry is working towards making production processes more efficient, using resources more effectively and improving quality continuously. Data-based applications, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are being used to create autonomous and intelligent systems that monitor, analyse and optimise processes in real time. These systems are used for a variety of purposes, including IoT-supported applications for process control and data acquisition, AI models for predicting production parameters, simulation tools to optimise industrial processes as well as digital twins for the virtual mapping and control of plants.

The seminar will address future topics and the results of current research projects. The following aspects of publicly funded projects will be discussed in depth:

However, implementing the digital transformation requires more than just technology: companies need to build digital expertise, develop agile teams and formulate a clear digital strategy. It is crucial that AI applications are not only precise, but also flexible and adaptable.

The future of cement production is networked, intelligent and sustainable. Industry 4.0 and IoT technologies are opening up numerous new possibilities - from predictive maintenance to end-to-end process optimisation.

Learning objectives

After completing the seminar, you will be able to

explain the current state of digitalisation in the cement industry,
identify opportunities for using data in cement production,
analyse and evaluate various digital tools and AI applications in the cement industry,
develop strategies to prepare for the digital transformation of the cement industry,
discuss challenges and opportunities in developing more accurate and robust AI systems,
outline a vision for the future of the cement industry with predictors, simulation tools and digital twins.

Target groups

Process engineers
Process engineers
Production managers
Digital transformation / Industry 4.0 managers

Topics

Day 1:

Status quo digitalisation of the cement industry
Potentials through the use of data-driven applications in production
Overview of digital tools and AI applications and their use in clinker and cement production

Day 2:

Housekeeping - How to prepare for the use of data-driven applications?
Building digital teams
Roadmap for the digital transformation of the cement industry
Accuracy vs. robustness of AI applications
Outlook on future applications such as predictors, simulation tools and digital twins

Subject to change without notice

Time schedule:

Start: Wednesday, 11.03.2026: 11:00 CET
End: Thursday, 12.03.2026: 15:00 CET

Location

Düsseldorf

Seminar fee:

1.190,00 € per person

Further seminar details

The seminar will be held by several experts from the field of digitalisation with a background in cement process engineering, who will impart their knowledge in a practical and target group-oriented manner.
In addition to practice-orientated specialist presentations, there will be sufficient time for an exchange of experiences and discussion of problems.
On completion of the seminar, you will receive a VDZ certificate of attendance.

How to find us

VDZ
Toulouser Allee 71
40476 Düsseldorf
Germany

GPS: 51°15’00.5‘‘ N / 6°47’32.6‘‘ O

From DUS Airport

6 minutes
You can use two train stations,
1.) the long-distance train station "Duesseldorf Flughafen", which also serves local traffic and can be reached from the terminal via SkyTrain, or 2.) the suburban train station "Duesseldorf Flughafen Terminal" in the basement of the terminal. From the long-distance station, please take line S1 (direction Solingen). From the terminal S-Bahn station please take line S11 (direction Bergisch Gladbach). In both cases please get off at the stop "Duesseldorf-Derendorf". If you do not have a valid rail ticket with City Option or similar, you will need an "EinzelTicket Erwachsener" (single adult ticket) at price level A (also valid on the SkyTrain). It is available online (https://vdz.info/aptr) and at local DB or VRR ticket machines.

12 minutes
by taxi

From Central Station

6 minutes
Take the S 1 in the direction of Duisburg or Dortmund;
You can also take the S 6 in the direction of Essen or
the S 11 in the direction of „Duesseldorf Airport Terminal“;
in each case as far as the „Duesseldorf-Derendorf“ stop

15 minutes
by taxi

Arrival by car

Please note:
The only reasonable way to reach us by car is from the north via the B1 (Heinrich-Erhardt-Straße). From there, you can turn towards the University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf (HSD) into Toulouser Allee and follow this street for about 500 m until you reach the entrance on the south side of the VDZ building (Toulouser Allee 71, 40476 Düsseldorf).

Are you interested in the event?

Registration is open.

1.190,- € per participant

Closing deadline for registrations is 25.02.2026

„Digital transformation: Basics and examples from cement production“
11.03. - 12.03.2026

1.190,- €

Person to contact

Do you have any questions on this subject?

Julia Volchkova

+49-211-45 78-402
training@vdz-online.de

Other items of possible interest

01.05.2025

Research projects

CO₂ capture in cement production using shaft calciner in combination with a rotary kiln

As plans are progressing for the CCUS infrastructure for transporting, storing and using CO₂, it is becoming increasingly clear that the separated CO₂ must be very pure in order to be used or stored. CC technologies are currently being planned with considerable engineering effort and electricity consumption for gas cleaning systems to separate unwanted accompanying substances. This is where this project comes in. It aims to investigate an innovative concept that could significantly reduce this effort.

Learn more

01.04.2025

Research projects

Behaviour of trace elements in modern rotary kiln systems - effects on emissions, CO₂ separation systems and the product

Precise material balances and up-to-date transfer factors are essential for evaluating trace element emissions in cement clinker production. Outdated data makes it difficult to use modern, CO₂-neutral raw materials and fuels. The project aims to update the transfer factors to support industry, the environment and climate protection.

Learn more

05.10.2026

Training

Energy balances and efficiency

In this training you will learn how to conduct and evaluate cement kiln and mill trials. Kiln and mill examinations are carried out in order to gather data on the performance and to validate warranty performance data such as the output, the energy consumption, input/output ratio or the efficiency. Using this data as a reliable basis, you can for example optimise individual components of the operating system as well as the cement quality, reduce energy demands as well as emissions, evaluate material cycles and reduce coating formation.

Learn more

20.04.2026

Training

Firing alternative fuels 2026

In this training you will become familiar with all relevant aspects concerning the use of alternative fuels in cement plants. Starting with the main political drivers such as the circular economy and the European waste fuel strategy, you will get a detailed insight into the current state-of-the-art-situation with regard to the use of alternative fuels in the EU. In this context, pre-treatment and suitable quality control of alternative fuels will be also explained and presented to you. You will focus on all the relevant aspects of the use of alternative fuels in the burning process (e.g. drivers and barriers of their use, available process technology and latest developments) and discuss them in the sessions. You will acquire knowledge about technical feasibility and optimisation potential, and have the possibility to discuss case studies.

Learn more

01.04.2021

Research projects

Reduction of green house gases by process innovations in the primary Industry, SP 6: Development of a methodology for cross-project and ecological potential assessment, cement industry

The transfer and networking project ReInvent aims to provide technical and organisational support for the BMBF funding measure KlimPro-Industrie.

Learn more

01.10.2022

Research projects

CaLby2030 – Calcium Looping to capture CO2 from industrial processes by 2030

In CaLby2030, the deployment of Calcium Looping technology (CaL) using Circulating Fluidised Bed reactors (CFB) in the cement industry will be investigated, aiming at efficient CO₂-Capture without compromising clinker production or product quality. A technology scale-up will be also evaluated in a German cement plant by exploring different retrofit possibilities. Besides the cement sector, the deployment of CFB-CaL technology in other relevant sectors will also be investigated.

Learn more

16.03.2026

Training

Burning technology in cement production

Clinker production is the most energy-intensive process step in cement manufacturing. It can represent up to 90% of the total energy demand in a cement plant and is therefore a main focus not only with regard to cost optimisation and quality improvement of the final product, but also regarding emission control and the reduction of impacts on the environment. VDZ’s training will enable you as participant to obtain a deeper knowledge of the clinker production process and a better understanding of how the daily decisions can impact the overall performance of the plant (quality, electrical energy use, fuel consumption and emissions).

Learn more

02.03.2026

Training

Grinding technology in cement production

Raw material and cement grinding are the first and the last major process steps during cement production. The energy demand of these two processes amounts to up to ~70% of the electrical energy used in a cement plant. For you as participant, this training will help to obtain a better understanding of the comminution processes as well as the equipment used for grinding. The knowledge acquired in this online seminar will deliver a solid basis for assessing and evaluating the optimisation potential for grinding processes and the ground product.

Learn more

01.03.2024

Research projects

Investigation and optimisation of the dynamic operating characteristics of the oxyfuel-operated cement clinker burning process for CO₂ capture

The oxyfuel technology is to be investigated qualitatively using a dynamic process simulation. This will provide a basis for the control and optimization of oxyfuel systems, resulting in a faster rollout of this crucial technology for CO₂ reduction.

Learn more

01.07.2023

Research projects

Process engineering investigation of the energetic-material utilisation of wastes containing carbon fibres in cement plants - EVCAZ

In the AiF project EVCAZ, the energetic and material utilisation of wastes containing carbon fibres is to be demonstrated on an industrial scale in a cement plant. The central tasks are the evaluation of the conversion success of the CF fibres, the recording of the resulting emissions and the consideration of influences on the process and the clinker quality. The findings obtained are summarised to assess health and environmental risks and to answer questions relevant to approval as a decision-making aid for cement plant operators.

Learn more