Driving the Conversation on Industrial Sustainability: Barbara at ARC European Industry Forum 2026

This week, Barbara took part in one of Europe’s leading industrial gatherings, the ARC European Industry Leadership Forum, held in Sitges (Barcelona). The event brings together industry leaders, technology providers, and analysts to explore how AI, digitalization, and sustainability are reshaping industrial operations.

Representing Barbara, CEO David Purón joined the forum’s opening day discussions, contributing to the panel “The Future of Industrial Sustainability: Energy Efficiency, Electrification & Hydrogen.” Moderated by Naresh Surepelly (ARC), the session featured a diverse group of experts, including Guilherme Hering Scavariello (ADM), Jonas Hellgren (Aperio), Saleh Mohammadi (Avans University of Applied Sciences), and David Pugh (Wood Group).

A Success Story: Edge AI for Cementos Argos

As industries face growing pressure to decarbonize while maintaining efficiency, a key question emerges: how to turn sustainability ambitions into scalable results? David Purón addressed this through Barbara’s work with Cementos Argos and the project “Real-Time AI for Pyroprocess Optimization”. 

Cement production is highly energy-intensive, with the pyroprocess accounting for most of the consumption—making it a critical lever for both cost reduction and CO₂ emissions. By deploying real-time predictive models in clinker kilns using the Barbara Edge AI Platform, Argos has enabled real-time data processing, inference, and control directly at the Edge—bringing intelligence closer to the process. The impact has been substantial: 38 control loops automated across plants, up to 5% reduction in clinker factor (and CO₂ emissions), up to 6% lower energy consumption, and production increases of 2% to 10%.

Sharing these results with attendees and fellow speakers reinforced a clear conclusion: sustainability is no longer just a strategic goal—it is an operational challenge that requires embedding intelligence directly into industrial processes.

A Broader Industry Dialogue

ARC’s European Industry Forum is part of a global series of events bringing together leaders from Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The agenda spans key topics shaping the future of industry, including Industrial-Grade AI, Edge, Cloud & Virtualization, Energy Transition, Cybersecurity, Digital Services, Operational Excellence, and Asset Management.

Through expert presentations, real-world case studies, and interactive discussions, the forum creates space for a candid exchange of ideas between end users and technology providers.

Building Resilient Operations

A recurring theme throughout the event was resilience—how organizations can adapt to changing conditions while maintaining performance, efficiency, and sustainability. This was powerfully reflected in the opening session by Florian Güldner (ARC), who set the tone with a compelling perspective on technological resilience. 

Barbara’s presence at ARC reflects its ongoing commitment to this challenge. By enabling the deployment and orchestration of AI applications at the edge, the company supports industrial organizations in moving from isolated initiatives to scalable, production-ready solutions.

Looking Ahead

Events like the ARC European Industry Forum are not just about sharing ideas—they are about aligning on the practical steps needed to move the industry forward. 

As the conversations in Sitges continue, one thing is clear: the path to resilient and sustainable operations will be built on the combination of advanced technology and deep industrial expertise. Barbara is proud to be part of that journey. Special thanks to Luciano Narcisi and Sandra Cornejo (ARC) for the invitation and for the excellent organization of the event.