Digital Twins in Russian Metallurgy: Prerequisites and Limitations of Use

The most important factor in the systemic transformation of the productive sector of the economy is modern information and communication technologies, among which technologies for the formation of digital twins are becoming increasingly important. The article is devoted to studying the application of these technologies in metallurgy, one of the basic industries of the Russian economy. The article aims to identify the existing prerequisites and the most significant limitations of introducing digital twins in Russian metallurgy. The study hypothesizes that the technological level of modern metallurgy allows the use of digital twins as an effective tool of the modern organization of metallurgical production. The information base of the study was the indicators of state programs and industry strategies, industrial statistics data, materials of analytical and consulting firms. The methodological basis of the study consisted of the scientific works on digital and sectoral economics. The use of comparative, structural-logical, and statistical analysis allowed identifying the prerequisites for introducing digital twins in Russian metallurgy and substantiating the validity of considering modern metallurgy as a promising object of digital transformation. The emerging trend of metallurgical production intellectualization has been established. The authors have carried out a review of the best practices of the largest Russian metallurgical companies on the use of digital twins. The study reveals the limitations of the development and application of digital twin technologies in metallurgy. In the research process, it is substantiated that to implement the existing prerequisites for introducing digital twins in Russian metallurgy and removing the identified limitations, it is required to develop special measures to improve the legal and managerial support of this activity.