Thai fiber cement manufacturer SHERA has automated its sustainable manufacturing processes using the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Not only will SHERA guarantee the speedy and eco-friendly production of fiber cement boards, but its local soon-to-open plant will also help reduce import dependency.
Shera receives Green Lane Certification for its soon-to-open plant in Mabalacat, Pampanga as it pushes for more sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing practices
As the country’s first and lone manufacturer of fiber cement materials, Shera will utilize IoT and AI in its pulper, refiner, grinder, and ball mill machines during pulp and sand preparations. These will also automate the stacking of formed green sheets on hot pallets and molds and the curing process that transforms them into fiber cement boards. These will be used in tandem with SHERA’s solar-powered manufacturing processes and reliance on recycled materials to reduce carbon emissions.
With this in mind, the Department of Trade and Industry identified SHERA as a strategic investment and granted it a green lane certificate during the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits. During this meeting, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DTI Secretary Cristina Roque were especially keen on SHERA’s efficient use of green and AI-driven tech to create energy-efficient and environmentally friendly production processes.
Ongon Taechamhaphant, CEO and Company Director of SHERA Public Company Limited, said, “SHERA takes pride in our efficient use of green and AI-driven technology. This guarantees Filipinos that the materials they use to build their homes, businesses, and establishments are not only of high quality but are sustainably made. By bringing this tech to the Philippines, we can become a major game-changer in the local industry by showing that we can embark on major construction projects without harming the environment.”
SHERA’s soon-to-open local hub set to reduce reliance on construction material imports
Experts have forecasted that the Philippines’ construction industry will grow by 8.4% in 2024, earning Php 1.94 trillion. They also predict a compound annual growth rate of 3.0% from 2024 to 2028, with the output expected to reach Php 2.58 trillion by the end of the period.
To facilitate this growth and reduce import dependency, SHERA invested Php 2.9 billion in business operations in the Philippines. A huge chunk of the investment will go to the construction of a 5-hectare facility strategically located in Mabalacat, Pampanga’s industrial capital. This is also the first SHERA plant outside of Thailand.
The Mabalacat facility will commence commercial operations in March 2025 and deliver up to 300,000 tons of fiber cement per year. This will make SHERA’s signature fiber cement products easily accessible to Filipinos and export to Taiwan, South Korea, some parts of North Asia, and Oceania countries.