ABB has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alcemy, an industrial decarbonization technology company, to jointly explore artificial intelligence-driven solutions aimed at improving quality control and reducing emissions in cement and concrete production. The collaboration combines ABB’s established expertise in automation, process control, and industrial digitalization with Alcemy’s predictive analytics capabilities to enhance production efficiency and consistency across cement manufacturing operations worldwide.
At the core of the initiative is the integration of predictive quality insights directly into plant operations. Under the proposed framework, Alcemy’s AI-based system will extract process and quality data from ABB Knowledge Manager, apply machine learning models to analyze the information, and transmit optimized setpoints back to ABB Ability™ Expert Optimizer. This closed-loop system is designed to help operators manage process variability more effectively, improve product consistency, and enhance overall plant performance.
By enabling more accurate control of production parameters, the collaboration is expected to support improved use of raw materials and energy, while simultaneously reducing operational inefficiencies and process fluctuations. The initiative also aims to bridge the gap between industrial data collection and real-time optimization, creating a more connected and responsive production environment.
Commenting on the partnership, Bodil Recke, Global Manager, Business Unit Cement, ABB’s Process Industries division, said artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in shaping the future of cement production. She noted that the collaboration brings together ABB’s automation and optimization capabilities with Alcemy’s AI expertise to help producers improve operational performance while advancing decarbonization goals.
Leopold Spenner, Co-Founder and CEO of Alcemy, stated that the cooperation with ABB enables predictive quality insights to be more directly integrated into plant-level operations. He added that both companies share the objective of helping the cement industry achieve more stable production outcomes, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact through data-driven decision-making.
As part of the agreement, ABB and Alcemy will also establish a joint framework to evaluate technical integration opportunities and develop a combined value proposition for cement producers and ready-mix concrete manufacturers. This will include exploring commercial models and deployment pathways for AI-enabled optimization solutions across industrial facilities.
ABB continues to position itself as a global leader in electrification and automation technologies, supporting industries in improving productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. With a workforce of approximately 110,000 employees and a history spanning more than 140 years, ABB focuses on enabling industries to operate at higher performance levels through advanced engineering and digital solutions.
The company’s Automation division delivers technologies that support process, hybrid, and maritime industries in electrifying, digitalizing, and optimizing operations across energy, materials, and manufacturing value chains. Through this collaboration, ABB reinforces its broader strategy of integrating artificial intelligence and data-driven systems into industrial processes to support more sustainable production practices.
