Taiheiyo Cement set to widen use of technology that learns kiln operation

20260301N Cement kiln

Taiheyo Cement’s rotary kilns heat the ingredients to make the building materials at high temperatures. (Photo by Ryo Asayama) © Reuters

TOKYO — Operating the massive rotating furnaces that cook the ingredients to make cement takes years of experience. With fewer seasoned hands to do the work, one Japanese company is turning to artificial intelligence.