Industry 5.0 implementation in the ceramic sector to enhance workers’ wellbeing
This research project, in which Euroarce (Grupo SAMCA) participates and is being implemented between 2025 and 2026, aims to support the transition of the ceramic sector towards Industry 5.0, placing workers’ wellbeing at the centre of this transformation.
To this end, the project focuses on improving working conditions through the incorporation of innovative technologies, optimising human–machine interaction, and reducing ergonomic risks and exposure to pollutants.
To achieve this overall objective, the following specific goals have been defined:
- To identify the needs of the ceramic sector regarding the use of innovative tools for the prevention of ergonomic risks, particularly in relation to work monitoring and organisation.
- To design field measurement procedures for the ergonomic assessment of workstations using artificial intelligence and inertial sensors, with the aim of improving ergonomic conditions.
- To develop an organisational methodology for task rotation design and workload distribution, aimed at reducing physical strain, thermal stress, and promoting sustainable working conditions.
- To assess the needs of ceramic companies in the Valencian Community regarding indoor air quality (IAQ) control, identifying the highest-risk pollutants and the requirements for their real-time monitoring.
- To develop an experimental methodology for monitoring IAQ in industrial environments based on low-cost sensors.
- To create a tool for the control and improvement of IAQ in industrial settings, applying advanced spatial interpolation techniques to assess worker exposure throughout the working day and trigger alerts in risk situations.
I5CER is coordinated by the Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia (IBV) and involves the Ceramic Technology Institute, along with several companies in the ceramic sector. The project is supported by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) of the Regional Government of the Valencia Community and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Comunitat Valenciana 2021–2027 Programme.