Industry thought leader

Tonindustrie-Zeitung 36 (1912) 53, S.752-753

Kali 10 (1916) 22, 11 S.

Tonindustrie-Zeitung 42 (1918) 12, S.54

The working plan of the Research Institute of the Cement Industry was aimed at systematic investigation of the mix formulation and workability of a nano-based cement-bound adhesive.

In the IGF (Cooperative Industrial Research) project the framework conditions for a possible performance test method for evaluating the alkali reactivity of concrete was calibrated on the basis of the requirements of the German regulations.

The aim of this research project was the laboratory and industrial production and testing of cements that contain levels of limestone above the maximum content described in DIN EN 197-1.

The cement industry provides excellent job opportunities for young engineers and scientists. Training schemes introduce these new employees to cement technology, taking their different professional backgrounds into account. This online course provides a one-week in-depth training session which covers all relevant aspects of cement technology including chemistry, mineralogy and environmental aspects. Quality control as well as cement performance in mortar and concrete will also be covered.

The SIMULEX® cement plant simulator for training plant supervisors, foremen, production personnel, control room operators and young engineers was developed by KHD Humboldt Wedag AG in cooperation with VDZ. For over ten years VDZ has been using the simulator within the framework of training courses and has been continually supporting the further development of the system with practical input from the industry. As a result, the simulator provides a realistic reconstruction of a production plant with a state-of-the-art supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA).

VDZ offers an online course that covers all the 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, the training will give a detailed view of 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. A main focus will be given to the drivers and barriers of the use of alternative fuels within the burning process. Relevant aspects will be explained and discussed with the participants. Finally, technical feasibilities, case studies and possible optimisation potential will be part of the training course. This training course provides four half-day training sessions in a webinar format. This unique format enables the employees to combine an adequate learning pace with their daily work in the plant.

Climate protection and digitisation are key challenges for the cement industry: More than 600 representatives from the international cement industry and associated suppliers, as well as from scientific and research institutes around the world, gathered at the International VDZ Congress 2018 in Duesseldorf at the end of September. Steeped in tradition, the VDZ Congress is one of the world's most important events in the industry. The 40 talks held at this year's congress focused on particularly pressing topics such as climate protection and digitisation. The participants also discussed current technical challenges and the general situation with regard to cement production. A further highlight was an evening ceremony at which the winners of the VDZ Industrial Safety Prize 2017 received their awards.