How is CIMPOR Expanding Ericsson’s Private 5G In Portugal?

CIMPOR, an international industrial materials and cement producer, brings private 5G online across its three major production units in Portugal, working with Vodafone Portugal and Ericsson to enable smart manufacturing at scale. 

The deployment covers the Alhandra, Loulé and Souselas cement plants, with purpose-built Mobile Private Network (MPN) infrastructure now supporting a range of advanced industrial applications.

The network runs on Ericsson Private 5G, a dedicated connectivity solution tailored for complex environments where reliability and low latency are critical.

Each site now operates with ultra-low latency of under 10 milliseconds, enabling real-time responsiveness for connected devices and systems across large industrial areas.

CIMPOR selects Vodafone Portugal to oversee the network rollout. Vodafone manages the installation and configuration of all radio equipment, works alongside CIMPOR to define the network’s core parameters, integrates industrial applications and validates the service. With this collaboration, all three plants now share a common 5G infrastructure model.

Connected operations with industrial use cases

The new network enables CIMPOR to introduce several connected technologies to its cement production lines. Among the key use cases are:

• Drones for inspecting hard-to-access locations safely and efficiently
• Smart glasses to support remote maintenance and worker training
• VR glasses to deliver training through simulation
• Predictive maintenance sensors to monitor equipment in real time
• Safety monitoring via video cameras
• Tablets for employees, enabling faster, paperless reporting
• Artificial intelligence features across operational systems

The private 5G solution also supports autonomous vehicles and multiple IoT devices simultaneously. These applications depend on constant and stable connectivity, particularly in the challenging physical conditions of cement production sites, where metal structures, dust and vibrations interfere with standard wireless communication.

With a multi-site approach, CIMPOR creates a replicable model. Insights from the initial deployment in Alhandra shape and accelerate the rollout at Loulé and Souselas. This framework now gives CIMPOR a foundation to expand the solution beyond Portugal and into its wider operations.

Efficiency gains and sustainability benefits

The deployment already supports measurable improvements. Predictive maintenance, enabled by real-time data from connected sensors, helps reduce downtime caused by equipment failure. 

Based on internal estimates, CIMPOR projects that each plant could avoid up to US$1m in losses annually through optimised maintenance and inventory planning.

Operational efficiency across the networked production systems has also improved. CIMPOR reports a 1% increase in overall performance since introducing private 5G, translating to an estimated US$10m to US$15m per year in direct and indirect benefits. 

Alongside cost reductions, the gains contribute to the company’s emissions targets. Optimised resource use and smarter energy management help cut approximately 140,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Berkan Fidan, Global Chief Technology Officer at CIMPOR, says: “This implementation of private 5G networks across our production units marks a decisive step in strengthening the resilience, efficiency and safety of our industrial operations. 

“This technology lays the foundation for a new generation of digital applications and enables us to operate with greater precision and responsiveness. This is only the beginning of a wider journey.”

Foundation for global deployment

The collaboration with Vodafone and Ericsson supports CIMPOR’s ambition to modernise its operations and prepare for future technologies, including digital twins, expanded AI capabilities and greater automation. 

With three active sites already sharing a common 5G framework, the company sets the stage for global replication.

Henrique Fonseca, Executive Board Member, Enterprise Business Unit at Vodafone Portugal, says: “The implementation of private 5G networks in these three CIMPOR factories not only demonstrates the company’s determined commitment to its sustainable future but also reinforces the role these networks play in enhancing economic competitiveness, particularly in industrial activities. 

“With immediate communications and large-scale sensing, data can be interpreted quickly and a wide range of remote activities becomes possible – expanding the reach of these factories well beyond their physical locations.”

CIMPOR positions the network rollout as part of a broader digital transformation effort. The aim is to improve operational resilience while enabling sustainable and competitive industrial performance across all sites.

Manish Tiwari, Head of Enterprise 5G at Ericsson, says: “CIMPOR’s multi-site deployment illustrates how Ericsson Private 5G networks can transform industrial operations at scale. 

“As enterprises move toward more automated and real-time processes, demand for reliable private cellular networks continues to grow. 

“By establishing a replicable approach across three sites, CIMPOR now has a strong blueprint it can apply across its wider global footprint.”