International efforts – CoNet provides PCS 7 expertise in the UK.

Port Sunlight is one of Unilever’s biggest research laboratories. Near Liverpool, it employs over 750 highly trained researchers from a range of nationalities.

Project Phoenix is one of the outcomes of this laboratory. Phoenix is a shampoo, conditioner and skin products manufacturing factory with four production lines.  The result is that the total mixing time is reduced significantly. In existing plants, the ‘normal’ mixing process takes about eight times longer! The end result should be that the number of daily batch runs can triple.

Siemens and GEA teamed up together to concur this big project. CoNet from The Netherlands was asked to join in, bringing along their history of and experience with PCS 7 development. More specifically, CoNet is developing a system to control the different phases of the production lines and other special mixers. A critical task; as the dosing should fall within 1% of the set point value. In addition to developing these stages CoNet is also responsible for translating the various recipes into the production environment control systems. Throughout this project, CoNet uses all facets of Simatic Batch and other latest technical developments, including Command and Monitoring. With a quick glance, operators can thus see which stages during a production run have been put on “hold”.

In England a CoNet PCS 7 specialist has been embedded in the local organisation to assist with the implementation of the Simatic PCS 7 environment and the correct installation of Simatic Batch. In doing so, CoNet’s ambition to increase her international ambitions continues to be fulfilled.