INTERVIEW 58 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2024 customers' operations, effectively mitigating digital risks to meet IEC 62443 standards. The result is an environment where our customers can focus on production, knowing their operations are safe." On the strides made in operational readiness, ANDRITZ showcases its leading and expert position by pioneering the use of digital twin technology in the feed industry. This move is more than a technological leap forward and introduces significant advantages. As Dr. Nazari notes, “ANDRITZ is bringing full-scale digital twin technology to enable virtual commissioning, which allows up to 90% of potential issues to be resolved ahead of on-site commissioning and provides users with a substantial competitive edge. Tasks that require mere minutes to assess within the simulator typically need an hour or more for evaluation in the field.” CYBERSECURITY AT THE FOREFRONT With technological advancements, inevitably, companies become increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Dr. Nazari underscores the paramount importance of cybersecurity in the digital transformation journey. "Cybersecurity has gone from an IT concern to a critical component of operational technology," he asserts. Through strategic acquisitions and rigorous standards compliance, ANDRITZ ensures the highest level of protection for its digital and automation solutions. THE SUSTAINABLE IMPACT Dr. Nazari also touches on the sustainability aspect, reflecting on the role of digital technologies in promoting sustainability within the feed industry. "Decreasing energy usage is, of course, one of the goals of our solutions. The interesting part is that increasing the product and at the same decreasing energy consumption do not have to be mutually exclusive," he explains, emphasizing that efficiency and productivity gains do not have to come at the expense of sustainability. Building on this foundation, ANDRITZ has developed a unique patented technology that significantly decreases energy consumption in dryers, coolers, and conditioners by more than 17% while simultaneously increasing production by 16%. Expanding on the impact of this innovation, Dr. Nazari further elaborates, "Our digital solutions are designed not only for efficiency and productivity but also for reducing environmental impact. Our customers don’t need to choose one or the other. Our approach is truly holistic, addressing the industry trends and the needs of our customers, while offering comprehensive benefits. That’s the new benchmark ANDRITZ is setting." LOOKING AHEAD As the feed industry navigates the challenges and opportunities of automation and digitalization, ANDRITZ is committed to leading the way forward. The company's strategic initiatives, embodied in the Metris Digital Platform, signal a future where technology and innovation drive growth, sustainability, and resilience. Dr. Nazari concludes, “Our path is clear: to keep leading with state-of-the-art solutions, ensuring that we, our customers, and the industry, are never standing still. We see a future defined not just by the challenges we overcome, but by the opportunities we seize through innovation.” About Dr. Sohail Nazari Dr. Sohail Nazari currently serves as the Head of the Automation and Digitalization Business Unit and Global Vice President of the Feed and Biofuel Division at ANDRITZ. Since 2006, Nazari has been a dedicated advocate and facilitator for introducing advanced digital technologies into various industries, including Automotive, Oil & Gas, Pulp & Paper, Mining & Mineral Processing, and Feed & Biofuels. His primary focus is helping operations achieve higher efficiency and productivity through digital transformation while also reducing their carbon footprint by decreasing energy consumption. Along this journey, he has successfully launched and commercialized multiple digitalization products and businesses, received numerous awards, been invited as a keynote speaker in various professional settings, and holds a patent. Dr. Nazari earned his PhD from the University of Alberta, Canada, in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2013.
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