Working alongside Sunflag Iron and Steel Company in Bhandara, India, global technology company ABB has achieved successful integration of its ABB Ability Data Analytics Platform for metals, tying together all manufacturing and operational data of steel melt shop and rolling mills to improve production planning and plant performance optimisation.

The plant, which has a capacity to produce 500,000 metric tonne of high quality special steel per annum, now has the platform to integrate data sources across 17 operational areas, including non ABB systems. A key example is that information technology and operational technology have converged to positively impact Sunflag’s steel melt shop and rolling mills.

ABB integrated with the existing automation systems for process and quality monitoring in real time, aligning with user friendly operator dashboards available via a web page on mobile. The platform enables identification and diagnosis of issues or use of extra resources.

It is one of the first global implementations of ABB’s integrated plant monitoring system in the metals industry, and is part of a long term vision across process industries for a future where the physical and digital worlds are connected, scalable and harness machine learning potential.

The project has been part of a wider digital transformation engagement with the customer, with ABB providing domain expertise for systems that improve overall process visibility to enable data driven business decision making.

ABB Ability solutions combine ABB’s deep domain expertise with connectivity and software innovation to empower real time, data driven decisions for safer, smarter operations that maximise resource efficiency and contribute to a low carbon future. A large portfolio of digital solutions helps organisations automate, optimise and future proof their business to achieve new heights of performance and drive sustainable progress.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a global technology company that energises the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries.

Process Automation: ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification and digitalisation for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end to end solutions, including our distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. As the global second in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations.