IBS helped EuroChem create a recommendation system

2024: Creation of a recommendation system

The IBS Group helped EuroChem create a recommendation system that maximizes fertilizer production and improves the stability of the production process. IBS announced this on February 12, 2024.

The recommendation system developed for EuroChem is software designed to optimize the production processes of NPK fertilizers. Its development involved IBS, EuroChem's cross-functional team consisting of R&D specialists from ProTech Laba, employees of the company and Digital Technologies and Platforms employees of Nevinnomyssky Nitrogen. The project was implemented from November 2022 to May 2023.

Based on the analysis of historical production data, the team created an optimizer that increases the production of all manufactured brands taking into account the component composition, laboratory analyzes of the input raw materials and the finished product, the permissible consumption of the input raw materials and other technological restrictions.

The recommendation system was deployed on two lines of production of complex mineral fertilizers of Nevinnomyssky Nitrogen - EuroChem's enterprise in the Stavropol Territory. It is integrated into the existing enterprise MES (Process Management System). The development makes it possible to ensure optimal parameters during the process mode, increase output and reduce possible losses and operating costs.

The increase in production was confirmed during balance-sheet tests. After the introduction of the recommendation system into commercial operation, the increase in planned production for different brands of fertilizers ranged from 1 to 4%.

The recommendation system is designed from scratch to meet EuroChem's needs. At the same time, exclusively import-independent software and open source libraries were used. A summary dashboard is available to users of the system, which contains data on manufactured products and recommended values ​ ​ of technological parameters. The main complexity of the project was due to the fact that the technological process is influenced by many factors and it was necessary to take into account the specifics of the technological process for each brand of fertilizer. A deep examination in technology and chemistry was required, which was provided by R&D ProTech Lab and the operational efficiency management of NevAzot, - said Andrey Nikitin, head of the digital modeling department at IBS.

The developed system is intended for management and production personnel, including operators. It implements a model that allows you to optimize the production of finished products taking into account all production restrictions. The resulting product takes into account the specifics of production, in particular, the functionality of manual adjustment of finished product analyses is implemented. The project has already paid off itself, and I am sure that the development of the system will achieve additional economic effects, noted Yegor Skaletsky, project manager of ProTech Lab.