“The ideal digital transformation for the aluminium industry would be the elimination of human workers in production shops and the control of technological processes with the maximum level of safety,” Sergey Kidakov, Founder, GreenAlum Project

Spearheaded by Sergey Kidakov, at the helm of the innovative GreenAlum project, a remarkable journey has unfolded in engineering and information systems across diverse industries. Armed with a comprehensive education in information systems and construction engineering, Kidakov's proficiency extends seamlessly into various domains. Since its inception in 2014, the GreenAlum project has seen substantial progress, boasting a team of seasoned professionals with extensive aluminium and mechanical engineering expertise. Many team members hold dual higher education degrees and possess academic accolades in technical and chemical sciences.

The GreenAlum initiative is dual-faceted, focusing on pioneering new technology for primary aluminium production and championing a waste-free approach to process bauxite and alumina production waste, particularly red mud. The paramount objective is centred on achieving waste-free recycling within the project's scope.

AL Circle: How would you describe the current state of the aluminium industry in terms of digital transformation? What key trends or developments have you observed in the industry's digital evolution?

Sergey Kidakov: In the modern world, interruptions in the supply of resources begin. Disruptions are complicated by a significant increase in the cost of resources. To remain competitive, aluminium companies must optimise production, and the most effective method is digital transformation. Without going into details, the general trend in the industry is focused on studying, discussing, and understanding new technologies. The number of implementations of digital automation and analytics is not large but is growing. Objectively, there is a lack of competencies and cooperation between market participants in the implementation of innovations.