This is the ambition of the project "Advanced Batch Control for Industry" (ABC4I) led by 6 partners. Optimistik, Axel'One, Probayes, and INSA Lyon/IMP laboratory are pooling their expertise to develop a complete digital chain, from online process analysis to process control through prediction and optimization algorithms. This digital chain will be tested on the processes of the two industrial partners: Adisseo for vitamin A synthesis and Elkem for silicone polymerization.

This new approach aims to offer a ready-to-use method that is technically and economically relevant for improving the performance of batch processes, including on flexible and multiproduct lines. Furthermore, the benefits will include productivity, material yields, energy consumption, emissions and waste reduction, and quality improvement.

This project has an R&D budget of €4.7 million and a duration of three years.

For Elkem, the ABC4I project is part of an approach to digitize batch processes of vinyl oil synthesis with automation by a learning system that will optimize the duration and quality of production.  The solution, after validation phases, will be implemented in a specialty silicone manufacturing workshop in Saint-Fons, south of Lyon.

The ABC4I project is funded by Bpifrance as part of the "i-Démo - Support for structuring R&D&I projects" call for proposals of the France 2030 plan, and is supported by the competitiveness clusters Axelera, Minalogic, and Techtera. A dozen companies in the industry sector have also expressed their interest, as real-time automated control with optimized batch processes is a significant challenge.