By combining digital logistics with advanced quality analysis, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers underscores the rising role of AI in heavy industry.
The world’s largest low‑carbon aluminium producer, RUSAL, has rolled out two artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to boost operational efficiency and product quality as part of its long‑term digitalisation strategy, the company announced on Monday.
An AI‑based technology developed by the Moscow‑headquartered producer’s engineering team has significantly reduced the time required to dispatch containers from terminals for loading finished products. The innovation centres on a virtual twin of the terminal, where high‑precision positioning systems and machine vision recognise and track containers. The system records the location and identification numbers of all containers awaiting aluminium loading.
Previously, containers were not systematically organised, and their locations were unrecorded, delaying retrieval and impacting throughput. Locating and preparing a container for loading took an average of 30 minutes; the new technology has cut this duration drastically, improving efficiency across logistics operations.
In parallel, RUSAL has deployed AI to enhance quality control processes. The company now uses AI to analyse aluminium ingot microstructure, reducing analysis time from several hours to just 15 minutes. This proprietary technology streamlines quality control procedures and minimises repetitive manual tasks.
RUSAL’s dual focus on digital logistics and advanced quality analysis reiterates the growing role of AI in heavy industry.