12 December 2019 - On the 5th and 7th December 2019, the World Cement Association hosted its very first Members-Only forum at Anhui Conch and Zanhuang BBMG in China on the topic of Smart Plants and AI in cement industry operations.19 plant and engineering managers and automation specialists representing 11 companies attended the one-day workshop, hosted by the WCA in collaboration with Conch and BBMG.
7th December 2019, Day 2 of the Smart Plant and AI forum saw the WCA delegates visiting BBMG, a Chinese cement producer’s Zanhuang plant. As with the first day, approximately 20 managers and senior technicians from Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea and China attended the event. Mr. Xiao Xiaoxuan, deputy director of Zanhuang BBMG and Mr. Zhao Shubin, deputy chief engineer of Zanhuang BBMG warmly welcomed the group of WCA members to their plant.
The delegates visited the cement kiln, the co-processing and disposal of domestic waste and sludge project, BBMG’s central control room and the energy management centre. There were also opportunities to have in-depth discussions with company personnel, bringing valuable guidance to the visiting guests.
Zanhuang BBMG has made lots of innovations in intelligent factory construction, energy management systems and ultra-low emission technology. At the same time, their efforts and achievements in energy conservation and emissions reduction, ecological and environmental protection, and the collaborative disposal of household waste with municipality, demonstrate the high level of BBMG’s efforts for the high-quality development of cement industry. 
The first day’s itinerary included a visit to the Quanjiao Conch cement plant – read more about Day 1 here.
This forum was hosted following the World Cement Conference in September 2019, in order to generate value-added services for WCA members. WCA member forums aim to promote the common progress of global cement companies, promote best technology, share experience and provide practical services. Our Members-Only forums are open to WCA Corporate and Associate Corporate members. Any upcoming forums will be advertised on our Events page.