• Monitoring and control: AB InBev faced a critical situation with their outdated production line (LC8 palletizing line), which processes 50,000 liters of beer daily. The line had become unreliable, leading to production losses. 
• Aging infrastructure: The company’s palletizing lines contained many outdated components that were no longer available after 20 years of service, causing unplanned downtime and further production loss due to missing spare parts and lack of know-how. 
• System flexibility: AB InBev desires the ability to implement new stacking patterns for efficient format changes without depending on the manufacturer. 
• Minimal production disruption: The company aims to avoid months of downtime for a complete line replacement.

To address the objectives of enhancing efficiency and reliability in the customers' production lines, our Siemens service experts implemented a comprehensive Retrofit and Modernization solution, combined with the implementation of a Digital Twin. This retrofit solution not only modernizes the customers production line but also enhances operational efficiency, reliability, and in-house serviceability: 

• Digital Twin for simulation and optimization: This allows for virtual testing and fine-tuning of production processes, leading to optimized performance and reduced downtime. It also enables the possibility to integrate Predictive Maintenance solutions in the future facilitating the early identification and proactive addressing of issues by analyzing data against simulation reference values. 
• Reduction of commissioning time: This minimizes the required upgrade window, resulting in reduced production downtime and improved efficiency. In the future, the implementation of new layer patterns will also go faster thanks to the use of this new technology.
• Complete retrofit of the production line: This includes the installation of new cabinets, automation and drive components and HMI Panels, ensuring modern and efficient operations. 
• Possibility to train operators through simulation: This enables operators to gain hands-on experience and improve their skills in a risk-free virtual environment.

AB InBev, the world's largest beer producer, operates over 200 breweries worldwide and is renowned for its portfolio of more than 500 iconic brands, including Stella Artois, Budweiser, and Corona. Serving over 2 billion consumers globally and operating in 50 countries, AB InBev produced an impressive 576 million hectoliters of beer in 2024. The Retrofit and Modernization project was carried out at AB InBev's facility in Leuven, Belgium.