The development of a technology roadmap for ferrochrome producers

Abstract

A 30-year technology roadmap for the South African ferrochrome industry is developed to address the increasing cost of electricity and competition from China. Research on possible technologies and their applicability in ferrochrome smelting is conducted, including Industry 4.0 technologies. The developed roadmap has three phases, with full-scale digitisation deferred to the second phase. The first phase addresses the stabilisation of the industry through the introduction of alternative energy sources. The last phase of the ferrochrome industry roadmap is sustainability, which builds on the successes of previous phases. This research contributes to methods the responsible introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies in industries with existing underlying challenges. The purpose of this article is to present a technology roadmap for ferrochrome producers in South Africa as chosen by the ferrochrome industry players.

ʼn Tegnologie padkaart vir die volgende 30 jaar in die Suid-Afrikaanse ferrochroom bedryf is ontwikkel om die toenemende koste van elektrisiteit en mededinging van Sjina aan te spreek. Navorsing oor moontlike tegnologieë (insluitend Industrie 4.0 tegnologieë) en hul toepassing in ferrochroom verwerking is van stapel gestuur. Die ontwikkelde padkaart het drie fases, met volskaalse digitalisering uitgestel tot die tweede fase. Die eerste fase adresseer die stabilisasie van die bedryf deur die aanneming van alternatiewe energiebronne. Die laaste fase fokus op volhoubaarheid van die vordering wat tydens die eerste twee fases behaal is. Hierdie navorsing dra by tot metodes vir die verantwoordelike bekendstelling van Industrie 4.0 tegnologieë in bedrywe met bestaande onderliggende uitdagings. Die doel van hierdie artikel is om die padkaart vir Suid-Afrikaanse ferrochroom produsente voor te stel deur rolspelers binne-in die bedryf.