Industry thought leader

(in German)

Executive Summary of the VDZ Study

Here you will find information about our corporate philosophy.

The topic of the research project is the utilisation of brick-containing materials from the recycling of mineral construction waste. It is being investigated whether and how resource-efficient cements can be produced with processed brick-containing construction waste and reduced clinker content, thus reducing process-related CO₂ emissions.

The IGF project 21386 N focuses on the relationship between the releasable alkali contents from aggregates and possible effects in concrete.

AI applications or machine learning applications such as soft sensors or assistance systems for production controllers represent promising solutions for process control and optimisation. However, this requires robust AI applications that do not jeopardise the operational safety of the complex production facilities in the cement industry.

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. They also provide a reliable foundation for the optimisation of individual operational system components, the cement quality, the reduction of emissions levels and for assessment of material cycles and coating formations.

This In-Class Training consists of two modules: "Grinding Technology and Raw Material Preparation" (Module 1) as well as "Clinker Production and Material Technology" (Module 2). Each module has a duration of one week. The course gives a deep insight into cement production technology, covering topics from quarry operation to cement grinding.

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).

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.