Driving Efficiency with LiDAR Volumetric Studies in Fertilizer Manufacturing
Managing bulk materials is one of the biggest challenges in large-scale industries. For fertilizer producers, where stockpiles of raw materials and finished products can stretch across vast storage yards, the ability to measure volumes accurately makes a direct impact on costs, logistics, and productivity.
Recently, Avessight conducted a volumetric study for a leading fertilizer manufacturer in Klang, one of Malaysia’s most established players in plantation work, fertilizer management, and agro-chemical supply. The project demonstrated how LiDAR scanning can bring new levels of precision and efficiency to stockpile measurement.
Client Overview
Client Name and Industry
The project was carried out for one of Malaysia’s leading fertilizer manufacturers, headquartered in Klang. The company has a strong presence in plantation work contracts, fertilizer management, and the supply of agro-chemical products. Its portfolio includes fertilizers, soil amendments, seed treatments, and plantation tools, sourced globally to serve the agricultural sector.
Challenges and Problems
Managing bulk fertilizer stockpiles accurately has always been a critical task. Traditional measurement methods—such as manual surveying, GPS, or RTK—were time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors. These inaccuracies led to challenges in:
Inventory control and stockpile tracking.
Production planning and blending accuracy.
Transport scheduling and logistics efficiency.
Worker safety when conducting physical measurements on unstable piles.
The lack of precise, repeatable data often resulted in higher costs, operational inefficiencies, and risks in compliance reporting.
Solution Overview
Technology and Products Used
To address these challenges, Avessight deployed a LiDAR-based volumetric scanning solution. Using advanced handheld LiDAR scanners equipped with panoramic cameras, high-precision IMUs, and real-time modeling capabilities, the team conducted a full volumetric study of the fertilizer stockpiles.
The solution offered:
High-speed scanning at hundreds of thousands of points per second.
Real-time previews, allowing instant adjustments during scanning.
Walk-and-scan mobility, eliminating the need for fixed stations or manual splicing.
Safe, one-person operation, reducing the need for survey teams to climb unstable stockpiles.
Implementation Process
Planning
The Avessight team assessed the storage site and designed optimal scanning paths to ensure full coverage of fertilizer piles.Data Collection
Using a handheld LiDAR scanner with an extension rod, the technician walked around the piles, scanning continuously. The real-time display allowed immediate identification of coverage gaps, minimizing the need for re-scanning. This method ensured efficiency, safety, and accuracy.Post-Processing
The captured point cloud data was processed using professional software to refine outputs, remove noise, and generate accurate models of each pile. The system automatically calculated pile volumes, fill quantities, and material usage. Data was then compiled into clear, visualized reports for the client’s operational team.
Results and Benefits
Accurate volumetric data within centimeters of precision.
Faster survey times, with a single operator able to complete scans safely and efficiently.
Improved stockpile management, enabling the client to align production and logistics with real-time data.
Reduced costs, by minimizing errors in procurement, transport, and blending.
Enhanced safety, eliminating the need for personnel to climb or measure unstable piles manually.
The fertilizer manufacturer can now rely on consistent, transparent data for decision-making, inventory management, and compliance reporting—driving both operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
