Kolon Benit has set its sights on pioneering “Cognitive Manufacturing” as the next frontier in digital transformation (DX) within the manufacturing industry. Announced on the 19th and supported by its extensive digital infrastructure experience with Kolon Group affiliates, the company aims to extend this innovation beyond its own group to a wider range of external manufacturing enterprises.
The concept of “Cognitive Manufacturing,” as defined by Kolon Benit, mirrors the human decision-making process by integrating sensing, analysing, and executing actions autonomously within manufacturing operations. This approach represents a significant evolution from traditional digital transformation, enabling production systems to independently detect anomalies, analyse data, and adjust processes in real-time to optimise outcomes.
Central to this strategy is Kolon Benit’s proprietary Connected Data Platform, a data-driven AI collaboration system that leverages artificial intelligence honed on the expertise of skilled workers. The platform monitors vast quantities of data generated during every manufacturing phase—from planning and production to quality control and shipment. With this system, signs of potential equipment failure or quality deviations can be predicted early, allowing timely corrective actions that improve both product quality and productivity.
This ambitious initiative is supported by the real-time data management platform “r-CoCoAna,” which consolidates diverse manufacturing data streams. Systems such as the Historian for detailed process data, the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for real-time monitoring, the SPIC planning system to respond flexibly to demand, and the Energy Monitoring System (EMS) geared towards eco-friendly factory operations all feed into a unified analytic framework. Together, they deliver process optimisation, cost reduction, quality improvement, and enhanced productivity.
Kolon Benit’s track record within the Kolon Group underscores the practicality of these innovations. Over the past three years, it has led DX efforts at key affiliates including Kolon Industries, Kolon Glotech, and Kolon Pharmaceutical. Notably, Kolon Industries’ Gimcheon Plant 2 realised significant production efficiency gains in its phenolic resin process through AI-supported solutions such as Virtual Sensing, Vision AI, and Recipe Driven Execution. Automation of six inspection stages with AI-based systems simultaneously boosted quality stability and productivity.
The company is also advancing its external business, responding to growing demand from other manufacturers seeking to replicate these successes. Executive Director Jung Sang-seop highlighted ongoing inquiries from outside firms eager to implement cognitive manufacturing processes, signalling Kolon Benit’s expanding influence in the broader domestic manufacturing sector.
Beyond process improvements, Kolon Benit is strengthening enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and their integration with production data, facilitating more strategic, data-driven decision-making at management levels. For example, last year’s optimisation of “Aramid” material production at Kolon Industries’ Gumi plant illustrated the power of precise data analysis in work progress and decision processes. Additionally, the company has automated data flows from unmanned production and automated logistics warehouses to enhance responsiveness and operational efficiency.
This holistic approach aligns with Kolon Group’s broader strategy, which in 2023 launched a Manufacturing DX Promotion Team aimed at sustainable growth and enhanced profitability through digital innovation. The group is actively investing in training executives and employees in data analysis and digital mindsets to accelerate organisational transformation.
The concept of cognitive manufacturing itself resonates with broader academic and industry research on the digital transition in manufacturing. Studies in cognitive frameworks reveal that firms adopting integrative decision-making processes tend to achieve more comprehensive digital transformation, while emerging technologies such as cognitive digital twins are pushing autonomous manufacturing intelligence further. Industry voices like IBM underscore the substantial operational benefits of cognitive manufacturing, where connected assets, real-time analytics, and AI enable self-diagnosis and optimised performance, driving new productivity heights.
Kolon Benit’s comprehensive offering includes consulting, engineering, automation, system integration, and management services—all underpinned by proprietary AI and machine learning solutions. These tools predict operational risks and quality issues, supporting workers with actionable insights to improve efficiency.
As Kolon Benit continues to refine and expand its Connected Data System and develop integrated platforms like Data Lake, it is positioning itself at the forefront of digital innovation in manufacturing. Its vision of cognitive manufacturing exemplifies the evolution of Industry 4.0, where factories become intelligent ecosystems capable of learning and adapting autonomously to ensure optimal production.
In summary, Kolon Benit is charting a clear course toward transforming manufacturing through advanced digital technologies. By bridging human-like cognitive processes with real-time AI-driven analytics and integrated data systems, the company promises to elevate manufacturing from automation to intelligent autonomy—potentially defining the future of industrial production in Korea and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services
