GERMANY - Sonae Arauco, one of the world's most relevant companies for engineered wood solutions, is at the forefront of Industry 5.0, integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, and virtual reality to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency.

Recently, the company converted its Nettgau plant in Germany into a digital factory, utilizing real-time data to streamline decision-making and optimize performance.

This transformation equips the plant with over 2,000 process variables, visualized through Pareto diagrams in the Digital Plant Viewer accessible across platforms from control rooms to mobile devices.

Artificial intelligence-driven Smart Notifications promptly alert stakeholders to performance deviations, enabling rapid response from adjustments to necessary production halts.

Dirk Beyer, Plant Manager of Nettgau, confirms the advantages of the digital plant model after several months of implementation. He highlights its capability to provide real-time accurate information, allowing specialists to concentrate on their expertise, planning, and problem-solving. Moreover, he underscores the reduction in bureaucratic tasks, eliminating manual data entry and Pareto ratio calculations. This streamlined process facilitates more precise daily analyses used extensively in meetings, resulting in quicker and more effective solutions to challenges.

Sonae Arauco's leadership in digitalizing the wood-based panels industry is underscored by its recognition with awards for Best Digital Transformation in Europe. The digital plant represents a significant leap forward, complementing initiatives like predictive maintenance, where sensors and AI ensure proactive management of operational variables, maximizing efficiency and minimizing errors.