Within the framework of China's dual carbon goals, competition among steel companies in the future will shift from cost competition to comprehensive strength competition. Upgrading steel structures and aligning technological advancements with increased production capacity are key priorities.
In this context, China Unicom is seizing the opportunity to facilitate the transformation of the steel industry.
Empowering the steel industry with smart technology
Rooted in the steel sector, China Unicom's Hebei branch has been committed to establishing a specialized hub for innovative steel product development, a national center for supporting steel industry projects, and a talent hub for China Unicom's experts on digital transformation in the steel industry. An expert team has been established to create a competitive edge in consulting, planning, product development, solution design, and on-site implementation, providing support to the entire national steel industry.
Focused on areas like 5G smart equipment, intelligent manufacturing, and smart operational scenarios within the steel industry, China Unicom has developed 10 proprietary products tailored to the steel sector's unique needs. Covering the entire production process of steel companies, and considering their management needs in energy, equipment, and quality, the company has created a diverse portfolio of over 30 solutions in the realms of 5G, AI, and digital intelligence. It has served over 60 steel companies in Hebei and other provinces, and created benchmark projects with investments exceeding 100 million yuan.
Throughout the course of digital transformation for steel companies, there is a pressing need for integrated solutions that address various ecological and technological requirements.
China Unicom, in collaboration with HBIS Group Co., Ltd., the University of Science and Technology of Beijing, and Xi'an Shaangu Power Co., Ltd., has successfully developed the Chinese central state-owned enterprise steel industry public cloud – Zhilian Steel Cloud Platform. This platform offers solutions such as 5G-enabled unmanned overhead cranes, 5G-powered metal tankers, and AI-based surface quality inspection, facilitating automation and reducing the labor dependence of steel companies.
In terms of management, the Zhilian Steel Cloud Platform relies on industrial Internet platform technology to provide equipment management, energy consumption control, quality control, safety and environmental big data, and smart logistics applications. This eliminates data silos and breaks down barriers between systems, promoting improved management and collaboration between various processes.
Setting benchmarks to achieve coordinated advancements
China Unicom utilizes its strengths in cloud computing, 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and AI resources to pioneer a new model integrating industry insights, business touchpoints, and the branding of Chinese central SOEs, which helps enhance the cost efficiency and effectiveness of steel enterprises.
The 5G-enabled unmanned overhead crane production site of HBIS Tangsteel Co., Ltd.'s high-strength automobile sheet factory, built with the help of China Unicom. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
China Unicom has established China's first 5G-enabled unmanned overhead crane intelligent warehouse area at HBIS Tangsteel Co., Ltd.'s high-strength automobile sheet factory. Remote operations by four workers have replaced the need for ten on-site workers, achieving true workshop automation.
At Hebei Jinxi Iron and Steel Group, a series of 5G-based smart applications has been deployed in the company. The predictive maintenance system has transformed equipment inspection into round-the-clock automated monitoring. While reducing the workload of employees, it has greatly enhanced equipment monitoring quality, ensures safe, continuous and stable production, and has reduced costs by 20 million yuan ($2.74 million).
In the case of Handan Yutai Chemical, China Unicom proposed a solution to create a smart factory and establish a 5G-powered industrial Internet platform, helping the company address challenges in environmental compliance, safety hazard prevention, energy conservation, and emissions reduction. This enables the company to increase efficiency by nearly 50 million yuan.
In addition, to continually leverage the amplification, superposition, and multiplication effects of digital technology integration and innovation on economic development, China Unicom has implemented an integrated service and support approach. Its experts work on site in a responsive manner to meet the digital needs of enterprises and improve their efficiency. By providing services at the grassroots level and at steel production sites, the company ensures "last-mile" service for the digital transformation of steel companies.
Over the past year, China Unicom has taken root in Hebei Province and served the entire country, continuously injecting energy into the green transformation of the steel industry.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
