Transforming Data Reservoirs towards a Digital Era
Kuraray Europe, a prominent player in automotive, construction, medical, and packaging technology sectors, is steadily advancing towards a connected, efficient, and data-driven work environment. The company's Frankfurt site, a key production hub for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), is spearheading this digitalization strategy.
In pursuit of efficiency, automated data management, and standardized workflows, Kuraray Europe has joined forces with SpiraTec, a global leader in digital transformation and industrial engineering in the process industry. The chosen digital enhancement project for production facilities in Frankfurt am Main is Cadison, a solution that seamlessly integrates with existing systems like Prodok and has a bidirectional interface for exchanging EMR data.
Ayhan Sidal, director DX-IT at Kuraray Europe, underscores the significance of the system's performance for user acceptance. "The performance of the system is vital for user acceptance," Sidal said.
Kuraray engineers tested the integrated plant design solution Cadison by ITandFactory, which impressed them with its multidisciplinary approach and ability to integrate engineering data, graphics, and document management into a single solution. The central database of Cadison has reduced sources of errors, minimized search times, and accelerated processes.
The ability to access up-to-date flow diagrams and maintenance plans has considerably improved collaboration between engineering, maintenance, and operations. Intelligent cross-references in P&IDs allow for flow diagrams to be created with different tools based on specific needs, with process engineers using the simpler Cadison PID Designer based on Microsoft Visio.
Andre Ziese, Project Manager for CAD Digitalization at Kuraray Europe, Business Unit Poval, emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset and standardization of processes for database-driven work. User-friendly input forms are crucial for the adoption of Cadison, as highlighted by Ziese. User training, time, and flexibility are also vital for the success of the project.
The long-term objective is to develop a digital twin that maps the entire lifecycle of the plants. This will enable faster and more efficient exchange of information, such as piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), piping documentation, and maintenance plans. The successful implementation of Cadison has led to noticeable efficiency gains and potential innovations like AI-driven analysis and predictive maintenance.
As Kuraray Europe continues to optimize its IT landscape, expand the project into day-to-day operations, and extend it to additional sites, the company looks forward to a more connected, efficient, and data-driven future.
